If you could go back in time and speak to your younger self, what would you say? 

Maybe you’d offer comfort during a tough moment, whisper words of encouragement before a big decision, or tell her not to sweat the small stuff so much. 

Maybe you’d tell her to do something (or not). 

Maybe you’d remind her that she’s stronger than she thinks, that her mistakes don’t define her, and that everything is going to work out—even if it doesn’t seem like it right now.

Most of us have wished we could have gone back in time to give our younger self some advice.  I’d certainly have told my younger self to do whatever I had to in order to get my mammogram when it was due, rather than putting it off because I didn’t even have time during the workday to pick up the phone when the office was open to schedule it. 

But here comes the interesting part. Let’s turn this around:

What might your future self want to say to you today?

If you’re struggling with making some change in your life, ask your future successful self what she had to do to get to where she is. Because that’s what you have to do to get there too. 

If your future self is in a new job, at some point she took the steps to make that happen. Those are the steps you need to take, too.

If she has left a relationship (or gotten into one), what did she have to do to make that happen? That’s what you have to do, too.

If she goes to the gym three times a week, what did she have to do to make that happen? You get the idea.

A special word for those who are facing, or who have faced, cancer or another life-threatening illness, it’s easy to get stuck in the here and now—caught up in fears, worries, and what-ifs. But imagine the perspective of your future self who’s been through it all and come out on the other side. What would she say to help guide you through this moment?

She might start with a reminder that the pain you feel today isn’t the end of the story. She’d tell you to breathe a little deeper, take things one step at a time, and not let fear be the loudest voice in the room. When you feel overwhelmed—whether it’s by the anxiety of a follow-up scan or the pressure to keep everything together at work—she’d reassure you that it’s okay to slow down. You’re not falling behind. You’re healing.

Your future self would want you to know that it’s okay to rest, to take care of yourself first without feeling guilty. She might tell you that doing this was one of the things that helped her to have the balance you are looking for. 

She’d tell you that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. 

Your future self might laugh a little, shaking her head as she remembers how she once believed she had to do everything perfectly. She knows now that progress, not perfection, is the goal. She’d urge you to show yourself the same compassion you’d offer a friend who’s been through as much as you have. 

Perhaps she’d remind you that it’s okay to lean on others too. It’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help; in fact, it’s a strength. She’d remind you that the people who love you are eager to support you, just as you’ve supported them in the past. You’re not a burden. You’re human.

When you find yourself spiraling with 'what ifs'—what if the cancer comes back, what if I can’t keep up with my work, what if I never feel like myself again—your future self might gently remind you that these fears, while valid, don’t control the outcome. Your future self has felt that worry too, but she can also whisper in your ear that living in fear steals joy from today.

Most of all, your future self would tell you that life is precious, even in its messiest, scariest moments. She knows now that time is the most valuable thing we have, and she wants you to savor it, rather than let it slip away in worry and stress. She’d tell you to hug your loved ones tighter, laugh a little more, and give yourself grace on the days when everything feels hard.

So, take a moment and listen to what your future self might be saying. 

Take a deep breath and close your eyes for just a second. Picture her—your future self—standing strong and calm. What is she saying to you right now? Let her voice be your guide when you’re feeling uncertain.

She’s already been through it all, and she’s here to remind you that you’re doing better than you think. Let her be your guide when you’re feeling lost. Let her wisdom remind you that you are more resilient than you know, and that even on the toughest days, you are still moving forward.

And maybe, just maybe, she’s smiling because she already knows—you’re going to be okay - no matter what happens.

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