Hindsight
If we only knew then what we know now! Looking back and moving forward.
We asked each of our storytellers what they would tell their 25-year-old selves, given the chance. Their answers are as unique as they are, but there are some general themes. What would you say if we asked you the same question? How does this wisdom factor into your life today? We’d love for you to share in the comments.
Natalie Griffin, 61 Never give up. If you don't see it now, just be patient. Really, really be patient. I've had to be patient and I'm not a patient person. I want it and I want it now, and I think our society is saying that too. One of my teaching tactics with my students was to try another way. Okay, we tried it this way. It didn't work. That’s ok. Let's try another way. So, trying another way, never giving up, and being patient.
Tanya Ralph, 53 My advice to myself 25 years ago is to set boundaries and be okay with setting boundaries. Also, be the center of your happiness and love yourself. Wrap your arms around yourself when nobody else will. Because when you think you're alone, you're not. There's always a higher power.
Dorothy Foster, 46 Don't stress about what you major in or what your first job is because it definitely is not going to be your last stop. You're gonna get a job and it might not be your dream job, but it's going to start your path. It's going to be all the stops along the way that are going to guide you to your final destination. Don’t always listen to what other people are telling you that you should be doing but do stop and listen to the signs and nudges around you.
Florence Clifford, 60 Growing up I always was afraid of other people's perceptions of me. What are they going to think about what you're doing? Or how you look? You can't wear that because somebody's not gonna like it or you're too fat or you're not pretty enough. So I would tell my younger self: Just be you. Love the person you are. Love the body you are in. Love the mind you have. I would say do not be afraid. Just go for what you want. If you fail, you fail. And if you succeed, then God bless ya.
Stephanie Linden, 56 To my 25-year-old self I would say “Believe in yourself. Be confident in who you are.” The world was different then. It's a lot easier to market your art with the internet. I don't really have to go to galleries. The world is at your fingertips now. So, I don't know if I would have made the decisions differently, but I would make them with a higher degree of confidence. I wish I had more self-confidence back then and really believed more in myself and my abilities.
Robyn Williams, 59 Sometimes I look back and I say well, “I didn't do this. I didn't do that,” and I find myself living with that sense of regret. When opportunities arise, I know now to just grab them.
Diane Petan I probably would tell her to take more risks early on. I was at Goldman for almost 20 years. I think some of the younger people I've come across are not as afraid to change jobs and take risks and I think that's cool. There are also other things I might have done other than finance and business, like something in the arts. I love dancing. I'm actually a pretty good singer. I wish I would have had the courage to do some of those activities as well, but it’s never too late.
Georgette Appiano, 60 You know, everything's gonna be okay. You can get through anything. I wouldn't want a different life because I think I was supposed to have my four kids. If I would've married a lawyer like my mother wanted me to, I would have lived in the suburbs with a nice cushy life, and I would have never known what I could do. I feel really proud of myself. It all happens the way it's supposed to happen. That’s what I think. I would still live through all that hardship because of where I am today. Adversity builds character.
Karen Emanuelson, 66 I would say to her, “Hang on because it's gonna get better. You're going to have all these extra people in your life who are going to shape your life, which is really kind of cool.”
Donna Crews, 56 I would say stop worrying about stuff because it's all going to be okay. Stop overthinking. Stop stressing about the little things. The other thing I would tell myself is that every phase of life seems hard because it’s the first time, but you're going to get through it.
Vicki Sasso, 59 I wish I was a bit smarter financially. I would tell her to save more. Invest. I was never taught that. It’s funny: my children are in finance and do very well. They are good with money and investing. So to 25 year old Vicki I would say “Be smarter with the money you earn.”
Marcella Regniault, 62 I would tell her it's never as bad as you think. Patience is on your side. Learn to be patient and stop obsessing about your body. It just kills me that I just spent so much time and energy obsessing about stuff that really doesn't matter. Just make yourself happy. You're never going to make your parents happy. You're just not. If you did everything the way your parents wanted you to, would they have been any happier? Live for you.
Yeulanda Degala, 47 Looking at the growth that has come from me since that time, I would not even recognize my 25-year-old self. I would tell her that what your life has been to this point is not going to define the rest of your life. You’re going to move mountains even though you may be lost right now. Things are going to change.
Gwendolyn DeVoe, 63 I would say “Plan for the future.” I would tell myself to be a little bit more conscious and serious about preparing for the future. I didn't prepare for the future. The future just sat down on my lap and said “We're here! What are you doing now?” And I just rolled with it.
As told to and edited by Teresa Bellock and Sandra Ditore.
