Three Words for My 18-Year-Old Self

There's a social media earworm: "What three words would you say to your 18-year-old self?" I laugh it off when I see it. But it came up again.

My three words? "Enjoy the ride."

Talking to your younger self is about regret and missed opportunities. It's a do-over. It shows your insecurity. "Buy Apple stock"—wish you had more money?

First, my 18-year-old self would not listen. I know this because I remember things my older relatives warned me about. Things I warned my junior peers about, and my own children. We just don't listen.

Why would an older you hold any more authority? The assumption is that we'd listen to someone who has our best interests at heart, and we're the only ones who do. Very cynical. Very wrong. I know my uncle had my best interests at heart because I remember and applied his advice. I also remember the advice I should have followed—and the advice I'm glad I didn't take. Some of the best advice was written thousands of years ago, inspired by one who has everyone's best interests at heart. If you're not mature enough to evaluate advice or trusting enough to listen to someone who has your back, you won't listen to an older you either.

Second, everything that happened made me who I am, warts and all. A decision cuts off alternatives. I've made plenty of bad ones. But I also made enough good ones for things to be pretty good. Sure, things could be better, but they're not bad. Take responsibility for where you are and the sum of the decisions that got you there.

But here's the kicker: every day I give advice to my future self. Don't make that mistake again. Focus on the micro-steps. Reset after a setback and move forward—the core element of resilience. Know to whom you owe allegiance, and anchor your identity there.

Then why "enjoy the ride?" Because my life has been a roller coaster complete with loops, inversions and hairpin turns. Maybe I would have preferred a log ride. But definitely not a merry-go-round. One thing I know about roller coasters? The guardrails were set by the one who designed the track.

So sit back, and enjoy the ride.