If you could go back in time and give your younger self advice, what would you say? (Mine: always hire a tax professional and accept that a side part suits you best.)
It’s easy to fantasize about changing the past, but wisdom usually comes from experience—often after making plenty of mistakes, like stubbornly wearing a middle part for years when it made you look like a potato.
While personal growth takes time, we can always learn from others who’ve gained insight over the years. For our series The Joys of Ageing, we asked seven accomplished women what they’d tell their 30-year-old selves.
### Julia Cameron
Teacher and author
“I’d tell my 30-year-old self to write morning pages—three pages of longhand, stream-of-consciousness writing every day. They help clarify thoughts, set priorities, and guide you through the day.”
### Anne Lamott
Author
“I’d say that the things I desperately wanted—love, respect, security—weren’t things I could find externally. Fulfillment had to come from within. No amount of success, possessions, or relationships could fill that void permanently. I wish I’d stopped chasing external validation sooner.”
### Joan MacDonald
Trainer and fitness influencer
“I’d tell myself to focus on strength, fitness, and being the best version of myself—not comparing myself to others. We’re all different, and that’s okay.”
### Marilyn Minter
Visual artist
“Trust your instincts. Don’t overthink things.”
### Diana Nyad
Author and long-distance swimmer
“Life doesn’t let us fast-track wisdom—we earn it over time. At 75, I wish I’d appreciated our planet more at 30, been kinder to myself about my mistakes, and more forgiving of others. Growth is a slow process, and the goal is to become someone you respect.”
### Sharon Salzberg
Author and meditation teacher
“The most helpful lesson would have been…” (text cuts off)Here’s a more natural and fluent version of your text while keeping the original meaning intact:
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They say, “When one door closes, another opens.” And it’s true—I won’t be going to journalism school after all, even though it was a quiet dream of mine for so long. But along the way, I’ve learned so much about truth-telling, staying wise and detached, and bearing witness with compassion.
I may not be traveling through Asia like I did when I was 18, but I can still embrace adventure, keep my love of learning alive, and learn to live without always needing comfort. Maybe I won’t have as many “firsts”—like my first book, my first recording, or my first public talk in front of a crowd. But then again… maybe I will.
—Michelle Yeoh, Actor
Michelle Yeoh, winner of Best Actress for Everything Everywhere All at Once at the 2023 Academy Awards. Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
What’s ahead will take courage—but you’re ready. Don’t make yourself small just to fit in. Stand boldly, fail bravely, grow fully, and move forward with peace in your heart and mind. Start each day with kindness—that’s your superpower.
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This version keeps the essence of your original text while making it flow more naturally. Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!
