What advice would you give your younger self?

Christine Robertson

In just a little over two months, we will be celebrating both a high school and a college graduation in our family, so I've been thinking a lot about what I wish I would have known at those stages in my life - mostly with regards to career, etc. I got my BA with an English major and a writing minor. While I use the technical writing classes I took (and all of the communications skills I honed) every day, I never could have imagined this career path at either of those stages in my life. If I could tell my 18 or 22 year old self anything, it would be that life not working out the way you hoped isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes, that part time job that you took just to pay the bills while you were in school can morph into an amazing career that you love.

What about you all? What would you tell your younger self? What do you wish you'd done differently, etc.?

Bobby Steurer

@Christine Robertson God, this is tough, because there's a lot I'd tell young me. I think these would be my top:

• Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you. There's a good person in there who deserves to enjoy life in the company of good people. Don't settle for lesser relationships.
• Feed your artistic need more often. You'll likely not make a living at it, but make it as big a part of your life as manageable.
• That little inkling of interest you have in a possible career opportunity? Explore it. Engage with it. You never know what passing moment can turn into a bigger something later.
  

Christine Robertson

@Bobby Steurer - Oh that is some good stuff! I think the first one is often the hardest to see when you're younger - realizing who brings out the good in you takes time and wisdom - but it is oh so worth it.

Adrienne Baumann

@Christine Robertson The biggest thing I'd want to tell my younger self is “don’t settle - you deserve better.” I let myself stay in unhappy situations (relationships, work, life) too long because I didn't believe in my own worth. Granted, I grew from those experiences but I wish I would have learned sooner. ?

Christine Robertson

@Adrienne Baumann I'm so with you on that one! Learned that the hard way myself, too.