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What I’d Tell My 20-Year-Old Self

Sumaya
3 min readJan 12, 2024

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Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash

Embrace Saying NO

I had a hard time saying no back then. I was a “yes” person all the time, whether it was accepting additional job hours, joining social gatherings I had no interest in attending or accepting commitments that weren’t mine. I did this out of concern about upsetting people and losing their favor.

But I’ve come to understand that exercising self-restraint and showing respect by saying no is not a sign of weakness.

Setting limits and putting my health first are two things I would tell my younger self to do. Those who genuinely care about you will understand if you choose to decline. Respect your own tranquility and wellbeing, and realise that it’s acceptable to adapt and grow through time.

Put your health first

My younger self loved using makeup to hide my insecurities. I would cover up any imperfections in my complexion with multiple coats of foundation and concealer.

I now realise that true beauty begins on the inside, and taking care of your health is the first step in that direction.

I would advise my younger self to concentrate on skincare instead of covering up flaws. My skin’s condition would improve as a result of developing a skincare routine, and I’d feel more confident.

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Sumaya
Sumaya

Written by Sumaya

Lover of reading and writing.

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