Four Things I Wish I’d Started Sooner

Most of what we do in life is habit — so building good habits is key.

Melissa Askew on Unsplash

If I could go back in time and give Past Me some tips, there are only a few things I’d say. Present Me knows only too well that most things have got to be learned by experience — most advice goes in one ear and out the other until and unless we are ready to receive it. Still, I believe I might have been more receptive to the future version of myself, back in the day, than I was to, say, my grandmother or my high school guidance counselor. If I could go back and spend an afternoon with adolescent me, here’s what I’d tell her.

1. Moisturizer. Find a good one with just a few ingredients, and use it morning and night. Disregard beautiful packaging and fragrance, ignore celebrity endorsements, don’t think *more expensive* means *better.* As with most things you allow into or onto your body, what’s important is how it makes you feel. Try a few until you find one that fits your skin and then never skip it. Trust me here.
2. Trust Your Own Gut. People are going to tell you what they think you should do. They’ll also act in ways that telegraph to you what they want you to do. All of that is fine, so far as it goes. People are going to make demands of your time and attention, but that doesn’t mean their expectations are more important than your feelings and goals. Instead of…