Dear Younger Me: I Know You’re Panicking, But You’ll Be Fine

Hey there, younger me.

I see you—sitting there, wide-eyed, worried that one wrong choice is going to mess up your whole future. Spoiler alert: You’ll make a few wrong choices… and you’ll still turn out just fine.

You’re not broken. You’re just figuring it out.
And that confusion you’re feeling? That’s not a red flag—it’s the start of self-discovery. Yes, I know you don’t even know what you want for dinner tonight, let alone what you want to do with your life. That’s okay.

You don’t have to have it all together at 21. Or 25. Or even 35. (Let’s be honest, even at 40, you’ll still google “how to be a functioning adult.”)

Here’s what I want you to know:

• Stop rushing. Some of the best things in your life will take time. You can’t microwave self-worth. (Trust me, I tried.)

• That heartbreak? It’s not the end. It’s the beginning of you learning how strong you really are.

• The job you hate right now? One day you’ll laugh at how much effort you gave to something that didn’t deserve it—and you’ll use those skills for something better.

• The people who doubt you? Let them. The real plot twist is when you believe in yourself even when nobody else does.

And one more thing: don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re doing the best you can with what you know—and that’s enough for now.

I’m proud of you, even when you feel like a hot mess.
Especially then.

With love (and snacks—you’ll always need snacks),
Me. From the future. And yes, you still hate folding laundry.