What I Know Now, I Wish I Knew Then.

At 15, I thought I had to be impeccable and perfect in everything. Most importantly, I was certain I had to figure out everything on my own. I believed I had to be flawless in academics, strong, mature—just perfect. I carried the heavy load of growing up too swiftly, constantly feeling like I was running out of time, without realizing I was still in the midst of my delightful childhood years. I carried feelings I didn’t know how to name and dreams I was afraid to speak out loud. If I could go back and sit beside that 15-year-old version of myself, I would hold her hand and share a few things—things I know now, but only the strenuous way.

1) It is okay not to have an exact dream to chase:- Undoubtedly several teenagers feel pressured having an exact dream to chase on, I myself at 15 felt pressured to have a clear path. However, life is not a checklist. You do not need to have everything figured out right now. Not having an exact dream you want to pursue in is totally alright and perfectly normal. Sometimes, wandering and exploring is the most valuable part of growing up. Every single thing can be unraveled by time.

2) Not every soul matches your energy- and that is okay:- You might be loud and expressive or reserved and introverted. You might crave deep conversations while the rest prefer small talk, either ways, you are your own individual. It is definitely acceptable to get different vibes from different people as everyone is their own person. It does not mean you are wrong or they are. Respect the differences and honor your own rhythm.

3) You do not have to be everyone's favorite:- Not everyone will match your vibe so it is quite impossible to be everyone's favorite . You might always want to feel charismatic but everyone have got their own preferences and that is okay. Putting effort into pleasing everyone is exhausting and unfeasible. Focus on being true to yourself, The right people will appreciate the real you- flaws and all. It is much more healthier to have a small number of genuine connections rather than a great number of shallow ones.

4) Fake it until you make it:- Confidence does not always come instinctively, there will be moments where you do not feel ready or confident, but sometimes showing up and acting like you belong is the first step. Confidence is gained by building it- acting like you have confidence even when you feel awkward is a legendary way of building confidence as confidence is not always natural.

5) It is okay to let go:- Some people won’t stay, no matter how much you care. That doesn’t make you unlovable. It just means their part in your story has ended. And that’s okay. At 15, I thought holding on was a sign of strength. But sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is release what weighs you down—whether it’s friendships, expectations, or fears. Letting go doesn’t mean you failed; it means you’re making space for something better.

6) Your body is not your enemy:- At 15, I thought i had to look like everyone else- lean. I often struggled with my body image and thought to myself, If i am not being myself and i am not happy, then what is the point? It is always essential to show yourself compassion, losing yourself and punishing yourself to look like everyone else is not worth it. You are not here to shrink- not your voice, not your body, not your joy.

7) Find the right circle of friends:- sticking around with people who drain you and make you feel excluded just because you do not want to be alone is never worth it. Not everyone you meet is meant to stick around. It’s okay to outgrow people or realize some friendships don’t fuel your soul. Surround yourself with those who lift you up, not drain you. Quality always beats quantity.

8) Your kindness is not a weakness:- Your an empathetic person and feel things deeply- and that is not something to hide. The world might tell you to "toughen up", but your heart is your power. Do not let anyone turn it into a flaw. You never know what anyone is going through- they might have war in their minds- kindness is free and easy to do.

9) You deserve love and kindness- particularly from yourself:- Before expecting to be loved by other people, love yourself no matter what. You are worthy of love, patience, forgiveness, and compassion.

10) Your feelings are valid, even the complicated ones:- You might not always be able to comprehend your emotions, and that is okay. Sometimes you might feel everything at once or nothing at all, It’s okay to feel lost, scared, or overwhelmed. Give yourself permission to feel without judgment.

11) Don't compare yourself to others- Every individual have their own capabilities and their own paths. comparing yourself to other people is meaningless.

If I could hug my 15-year-old self, I would. Not to fix her — but to thank her for holding on long enough to become me.