Dear Teenage Self

Yesterday I was asked in an interview what wisdom I would want to impart on my teenage self.
My reaction was made up of three parts.
The first part was Shock.

“How did I get to turn 34 already. When I was a teenage girl I remember thinking 34 was so old.”

Shock was followed by Denial – which lasted longer than I like to admit.

And the third phase was Gratitude. Because I accepted that with age comes with you a forever growing collection of life experiences that you can begin sharing with others for a greater good. And that brings fulfilment.

So what is it I’d share with a teenage girl if she’s standing in front of me right now, or my younger self for that matter?

Stop comparing; be yourself and get over the illusion that you have to be liked by everyone. 

You’ll always be too much of something for someone; too big, too loud, too soft, too edgy. But as the saying goes if you round out your edges, you lose your edge. Never apologise for who you are. Only always be yourself.