26 Little Reminders For My 26-Year-Old Self

1. It’s one thing to be realistic and know what you’re good at and what you need to improve on, but always be kind to yourself. You’re not going to get it right all the time and that’s okay. That’s part of the process.

2. Comparing your progress to another person’s is inevitable. Take inspiration from them instead of feeling sorry or beating yourself up for not reaching a certain standard.

3. Take time to define what “success” actually means for you. For some, it could be getting a degree and then a stable job and eventually starting a family. It could be different for you. Don’t let anybody define that for you because that’s a lot like giving them control over your life.

4. Set a fallback plan in case your current career doesn’t work out. I know this sounds a bit disheartening, but it has to be done so you’ll know or at least have an idea how to start again.

5. Always, always make time for the ones who matter to you. Even a quick video call or a short and sweet “Hi, how you been?” is just enough.

6. You’ll feel lonely. No amount of work is going to make that go away. You might feel too embarrassed to reach out to someone and let them know how you feel, but trust that those who genuinely love you will listen to you and make you feel that you are loved and that you matter.

7. Relationships need work. Maybe it’s been quite a while since you’ve been in one. Even if you think badly of yourself, know that there’s someone out there who’s going to accept you for who you are. The catch is… you’ll have to put yourself out there and try.

8. Take pictures of the people you love, the things you love or find pretty, and even the places you usually go to. Preserve your memories. Changes happen all the time and it’s nice to be able to have some sort of souvenir to remind you of what has been.

9. Keep growing. Keep learning. Do it because you want to become the best version of yourself, not because you want to impress the world. Do it because it makes you feel fulfilled.

10. Drink water and eat well! Periodt!

11. While it’s admirable to know exactly what you want to do, it’s also fine to not know what you want to do. You’ll figure it out eventually, but pretty please, keep moving forward.

12. Pick up a hobby. Better yet, take on a hobby you’ve always been reluctant to try.

13. Don’t feel guilty for spending your weekends doing nothing. No further explanation needed.

14. Don’t feel stupid for crying, for getting angry, for letting your emotions out.

15. You’re flawed and so is everybody else.

16. Be more self-aware. Know when you’re being an asshole and it’s not just because “nobody gets you” or that “they can’t handle realness.”

17. There’s no shame in admitting when you’re wrong and apologizing for it. But also, learn from it.

18. Explore new places when you can, try a new dish, listen to a different genre, or watch a movie that you wouldn’t normally watch.

19. Social media detox is a thing and you should practice it once in a while.

20. Not everyone is going to treat you the same way you treat them. The best way to deal with this is to not expect everyone is going to reciprocate your actions.

21. Don’t fall into the trap that you have to be busy 24/7. Really, if you need some time off, take it because you deserve some time for yourself.

22. Sing your heart out or dance once in a while. It doesn’t matter if you’re not good at it or if you can only do it when you’re alone. Let yourself loose.

23. Don’t rush into anything (or do it at all) just because people are egging you to do it or just because everybody else is doing it.

24. Your mistakes don’t define you and they shouldn’t hold you back as well.

25. Wear whatever the hell you want.

26. Calling yourself a potato should actually be a compliment. Potatoes can come in any form and sizes and we still love them.