If I could talk to my teenage self, I’d tell her to trust herself more—especially when it comes to big decisions.
For example, I had the money to buy a condo at the time, but I didn’t because I listened to my dad. Don’t get me wrong—I love my dad, but he could be negative and cautious, and I let that stop me. That was a mistake. The money was mine, the decision was mine, and I should have followed my instincts. Owning that condo could have given me opportunities I didn’t even realize at the time.
The advice I’d give my teenage self is simple: trust yourself. Make your own decisions. Learn from the choices you make, but don’t let anyone else’s fear or negativity control your life. Your instincts, your efforts, and your courage matter more than anyone else’s doubts.
I’d tell her that mistakes are okay—they’re lessons, not life sentences. But the one thing she shouldn’t do is give up her voice, her power, or her independence. That’s something you’ll always carry with you, and it shapes the life you’re meant to have.
The Cozy Nook | Stories · Food ·Gaming·Magic 
This really resonated with me. There’s something powerful about recognizing that sometimes the biggest regret isn’t a “wrong” decision — it’s not choosing for yourself.
It’s hard when the voices we love and respect shape our confidence. Parents often speak from protection, from fear, from their own experiences. But protection and limitation can look similar when you’re young. Looking back and realizing, *“I had the ability. I had the resources. I just didn’t trust myself,”* takes a lot of honesty.
I also appreciate that you didn’t turn this into blame. You acknowledged the love, but you also acknowledged your agency. That balance shows growth.
The reminder that mistakes are lessons, not life sentences, is important — but so is what you said about not surrendering your voice. Instinct is a muscle. The more we ignore it, the quieter it gets. The more we honor it, the stronger it becomes.
Your teenage self might have needed that encouragement — but honestly, so do a lot of adults. This feels like a message not just to who you were, but to who you’re still becoming.
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Thank you for such a thoughtful response. I really appreciate how you expanded on the idea instead of just agreeing — you captured exactly what I was trying to express about agency and growth. Your insight about instinct being a muscle really resonated with me.
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