Wisdom of Our Younger Selves: Trusting Your Instincts

Written by: M. Neumann

Date: 11.1.23

As we go through life, we often receive advice and guidance from well-meaning family, friends, and mentors. They encourage us to re-evaluate our beliefs, adjust our goals, and sometimes even change our paths entirely. While this counsel can be valuable and help us grow, there comes a time when we realize that our younger selves had some wisdom of their own. Those ideas about money, friendships, and success that we once thought were naive might have been more insightful than we gave them credit for.

Money: The Pursuit of Passion Over Prestige

In our youth, many of us dream of jobs that pay the bills and ignite our passions. We're told to be practical to pursue stable careers; sometimes, our dreams are labeled unrealistic. However, as we mature, we understand the importance of job satisfaction and its impact on our overall well-being. Our younger selves were right; pursuing our passions often leads to a fulfilling and successful life.

Friendship: Quality Over Quantity

We might have had a small circle of close friends in our youth and were content with it. As we grew older, societal pressures often encouraged us to expand our social circles, sometimes at the expense of deeper connections. With time, we realize that meaningful relationships are built on trust, understanding, and shared experiences. Our younger selves understood that quality far outweighs quantity regarding friendships.

Success: Defined on Our Terms

In our early years, we may have had unique definitions of success. Yet, societal norms and expectations can sometimes lead us to measure success by material wealth or external validation. As we age, we appreciate that success is deeply personal. It's about achieving the goals that genuinely matter to us, whether in our careers, relationships, or personal growth. Our younger selves were onto something when they dared to chart their unique paths to success.

Conclusion: Embracing the Wisdom of Youth

In pursuing personal growth and success, it's essential to heed the advice of those who have walked the path before us. However, as we mature, we should also recognize the wisdom of our younger selves. Our beliefs and aspirations in our youth often carried truth. Embracing this wisdom can lead us to a life that aligns more closely with our authentic selves, where we prioritize passion, deep connections, and our unique definitions of success. So, let's credit the younger versions of ourselves who had it right all along.

Hindsight, 20/20

Wisdom of Our Younger Selves: Trusting Your Instincts