Last week on Instagram, I asked Magpies to answer the following prompt: “If you could visit with your twenty-year-old self, what would you tell her?”
I was moved by the fact that the loud majority of responses replied:
“Do not worry so much.”
Exactly what I would tell myself at twenty, along with the chaser: “Everything in its own time.”
I spent far too much of my 20s racing to the next thing — graduation, graduate school, engagement, marriage, this job, that job. There were countless pockets of time I whiled away in blithe ignorance of their roundness and ease. I still worry too much, but I think my anxieties hang on the worthwhile these days: the health of my family; the happiness of my children. Still, why did I make myself physically ill with worry earlier this year when I drummed up the courage to let my daughter’s Montessori know we would be transferring her to a Catholic parochial school this fall? I have a profound fear of disappointing others that I cannot move around. I would do well to heed my own advice: Worry less. Everything in its own time.
While about half of the messages ran along similar lines — “worry less; it all turns out OK; you’re not late; it won’t go as planned but it will all turn out fine” — I wanted to share a few of the other messages to our twenty-year-old selves because, well, they are poetry, these missives to women we used to know and still love:
“Do the things you want to do — don’t worry about finding The One.”
“It gets better. You will find life-changing medication!”
“You can kill confidence, but you can’t kill drive. Remember to cheer yourself on.”
“Don’t be scared to be yourself.”
“Be kinder to yourself.”
“You are enough.”
“Strong female friendships will be one of your greatest blessings.”
“Do exactly what you love to do and nothing else.”
“It goes so fast — savor each stage and season.”
“Trust your gut — you have plenty of time.”
“Perfect is a myth. You’re doing great, keep going, it turns out OK.”
“You’re the strongest person I know! Hang in there!”
“You will be OK.”
Man, I want to be friends with you all — such beautiful cheerleading.
Onward!
Post-Scripts.
+Would you believe how sentimental I am about my children?
+On being happy for friends.
+On balancing friendships.
Shopping Break.
+Oo! This top is adorable!
+I must own this dress for summer gatherings.
+I also just added this bag to my cart. $65 with those little cherries?! GAH!
+Cutest cooler bucket for a spring party!
+I love these frosted reusable cups for evening walks / hanging out in the cul de sac with neighbors.
+I adore this eyelet mini.
+Major lust list item: a Brent Neale necklace.
+Another great pair of shorts — these are ADORABLE.
+Adorable stationery for brothers.
+Sweetest bedding for a little lady.
+Veronica Beard NAILING the footwear game with these.
+So many of you have loved this striped Gap button-down — I think it might be long enough to work over a bikini this summer!
+Love this bag — looks much more expensive than it is!
+Mini had this little diaper set when she was younger in a different color — one of my absolute favorite outfits she’s ever worn.
+Reasonably priced white skirt for summer — layer over a swimsuit or pair with a simple tank. (Under $50!)
+These leaf and ladybug plates are beyond adorable.
+This jacket is a forever piece.
+Love this new console at PB.