Getting advice can be tough; no matter how much older or wiser another person is, they can't know exactly what you're going through, and often the advice they have, while well-meaning, isn't always what you need.
But, what would happen if you could give advice to yourself?
Well, we are about to find out that the advice you give yourself really is the best and most universal of all. Writer and college professor, Nyasha Junior recently posted a question on Twitter asking women who are over 40 what pieces of advice they would give to their 20-something selves. Over 1,000 women replied with brutally honest, funny, warm, and interesting pieces of advice. And you know what? It turns out that this personal exercise resulted in some universal ideas we could all benefit from hearing. Take a look at some of the best answers.
Do you know what words of wisdom you'd tell your 20-something self?
If you are a 40+ woman, what one piece of advice would you give to your 20-something self? https://t.co/igZCFoFsAP— Nyasha Junior, Ph.D. (@Nyasha Junior, Ph.D.)1537113681.0
Leave after...
@NyashaJunior Leave after the first lie.— GMC 🇺🇲🖤 (@GMC 🇺🇲🖤)1537157928.0
Save more
@NyashaJunior Save more, travel more, say NO more, say what you feel AT THE TIME YOU FEEL IT more— Andrea Morgan (@Andrea Morgan)1537117356.0
Be less afraid
@NyashaJunior 1. Be less afraid to work for your own happiness. 2. Go on vacation and take cute pictures. 3. Stop… https://t.co/1DAPpMifI5— Blair LM Kelley, PhD (@Blair LM Kelley, PhD)1537136002.0
Take care of yourself
@NyashaJunior Stop trying to make everyone else happy. Owning things is not happiness, watch your money. Just be… https://t.co/hTXBzhWuWz— Heather R (@Heather R)1537145189.0
Define success
@NyashaJunior Define success for yourself. Define what you care about. Don’t substitute the judgment of others for… https://t.co/szk103dlKL— Denise Hamilton (@Denise Hamilton)1537118210.0
Life is not baseball
@NyashaJunior 1. Life is not baseball; don’t give these Dumpster Daves 3 strikes before dismissing them for hurting… https://t.co/nf32f9Ptum— Toya Tate #BLM✊🏾 (@Toya Tate #BLM✊🏾)1537203564.0
Learn your strengths
@NyashaJunior Learn your strengths and design a life where you use them everyday. Get liberated from the myth of we… https://t.co/ujkGCkuxDL— Amber Benson (@Amber Benson)1537136648.0
Question the story
@NyashaJunior Question the story you’ve told yourself about yourself. Try things, even if you’ve told yourself you… https://t.co/y6HyBUwnqq— Pom Cornelius. #goodtrouble 🙏🏽🤟🏽 (@Pom Cornelius. #goodtrouble 🙏🏽🤟🏽)1537119033.0
Let go of mistakes
@NyashaJunior Let go of the mistakes you’ve made in the past and where/what/who you think you *should* be. Embrace… https://t.co/vqv1VbB8Qm— Katie Sylor-Miller (@Katie Sylor-Miller)1537189907.0
Other people aren't paying attention
@NyashaJunior Other people are paying a lot less attention to you than you think. Also, that guy you like, who like… https://t.co/wnHhNXLQoA— Kate Wants to Know (@Kate Wants to Know)1537140722.0
Not required to smile
@NyashaJunior You are not required to smile, use your indoor voice, play fair, or wait your turn.— Smexys_Sidekick (@Smexys_Sidekick)1537188486.0
Take up all your space
@NyashaJunior Stand tall. Don't shrink. Take up ALL of your space.— DeeAndria Hampton (@DeeAndria Hampton)1537118068.0
Fear is a liar
@NyashaJunior Fear is a liar. Trust your gut. Don’t use someone else’s mirror to see your own reflection. Say yes t… https://t.co/XXkMxamMRB— Grace Killelea (@Grace Killelea)1537134559.0
Your thighs are fine
@NyashaJunior Your thighs are fine. Use the time you spend worrying about them to learn Spanish. And put on some sunscreen!— Tracy Neumann (@Tracy Neumann)1537205985.0
Ask forgiveness
@NyashaJunior Not 40 til Sunday but unless I radically change my opinions in a week I think it would be: ask forgiv… https://t.co/xfKHagHtFW— Louie Stowell: The Wizard in the Wood out 14th Jan (@Louie Stowell: The Wizard in the Wood out 14th Jan)1537214792.0
Stick to the original plan
@NyashaJunior You don’t have to set yourself on fire to keep anyone else warm. And stick to the original plan. Don’… https://t.co/YnX0WzNchr— Meat Virginia (@Meat Virginia)1537119438.0
Make friends with yourself first
@NyashaJunior You will find love, but first make friends with your body, your talent, and your face. Live alone, fi… https://t.co/127eOFdFOh— Mari McNeil (@Mari McNeil)1537138261.0
There are no special occasions
This is basically one big "treat yo'self!" list. But not in a flippant way. You are the only one you will ever have. Treat yourself right.The writing is real
@NyashaJunior It's not a hobby, it's a calling. The writing is real and you are good at it. Skip half the parties y… https://t.co/Dlg7MhaBeU— Joye Johnson (@Joye Johnson)1537145779.0
You look great
@NyashaJunior 1) You look great. Right now. Just like this. 2) If someone makes you feel bad about yourself for som… https://t.co/dwJbNsOnNo— Tragic Sandwich (@Tragic Sandwich)1537139118.0
Stop apologizing
@NyashaJunior Stop apologizing so damn much. If I had known the power of “I said what I said” 10 years ago ...— That B* Nikki Baskin (@That B* Nikki Baskin)1537355506.0
Go to therapy
@NyashaJunior Go to therapy.— SpookySpacePrincess (@SpookySpacePrincess)1537194969.0
Don't waste your time
@NyashaJunior Everyone's opinion gets a value and a time limit. Don't waste your time dwelling on cheap opinions.— Rebecca Boone (@Rebecca Boone)1537208787.0
Don't be a people pleaser!
@NyashaJunior Don't be a people pleaser! You don't need conditional friends who take or use you when they want but… https://t.co/VfJ6ruRgTH— Jennifer Lengwin (@Jennifer Lengwin)1537136223.0
More than enough
@NyashaJunior You are more than enough— Teña Nock-Hope 🌈♐️ (@Teña Nock-Hope 🌈♐️)1537120139.0
Breathe
@NyashaJunior Breathe, it’ll be okay— Foolery and Chicanery ☺️ 12/10 ♐️🎉🎁 (@Foolery and Chicanery ☺️ 12/10 ♐️🎉🎁)1537124206.0
Have more faith
@NyashaJunior Have more faith in your own judgement. Listen to your intuition.— Dianne Olcott (@Dianne Olcott)1537137070.0
Marriage and shoes
@NyashaJunior 1. Marriage does not equal happiness or contentment. 2. You’re on your feet all day; spring for better shoes.— windsor blue (@windsor blue)1537135601.0
Aging is everything
@NyashaJunior @shannoncoulter I’m 62 and I’d tell her things get better with age. I feel like my most productive an… https://t.co/FXmJnat9wB— Elisabeth Dale (@Elisabeth Dale)1537217798.0