At 30, I've been finding myself reflecting a lot—about life, growth, and the lessons I’ve learned. One of the most intriguing thoughts I’ve had is what advice I would give my 20-year-old self. She and I stand in such different places, not only in our expectations and outlooks on life but also in our worldview, values, and self-understanding.

Our twenties are some of the most formative years of our lives. It’s when we truly step out from under the umbrella our parents provided and start to understand what has shaped us so far—and where we want to go from here.

So, here are six things I would tell my younger self. Because each of those topics deserves more time, I'll dive deeper into them over the next couple of weeks...in other words: "We'll start with a little mini-series".

Excellence Over Perfection

It’s absolutely okay to give your all and strive to do things well.

What’s not okay is letting that desire stop you from starting—or finishing—because you’re afraid it won’t be perfect.

The pursuit of excellence helps us create meaningful, high-quality work with as few mistakes as possible. Perfection, however, often holds us back, making us believe that unless something is flawless, it isn’t worth doing.

Perfection is an unattainable standard. It’s never satisfied; it always finds faults. Pursuing perfection is a never-ending cycle that leads to frustration and inaction.

Excellence, on the other hand, allows us to celebrate success without being held back by minor imperfections. It teaches us to learn from our mistakes rather than be paralyzed by them. Excellence says, "This is good enough," and moves forward, while perfection keeps us stuck in one place.

So, let go of perfection—but embrace excellence.

Questions Over Answers

No one expects you to have all the answers, so stop pretending you do.

Life is complicated and rarely black and white. While things may seem clear-cut in your early twenties, experience will gradually reveal the shades of grey.

Ask questions—lots of them. Stay curious and keep an open mind. You don’t have to agree with every answer, but considering different perspectives will broaden your horizon. Growth happens when you look beyond your own experiences and try to understand the world through someone else’s lens.

You don’t have to adopt every viewpoint you encounter, but learning about them will help you expand your thinking and deepen your understanding of the world.

Journey Over Destination

We often rush toward our goals, eager to reach the next milestone as quickly as possible. But life isn’t a race to the finish line—it’s a journey. And the journey itself is where the real growth happens.

Don’t stress if you haven’t accomplished everything you thought you would by a certain age. The truth is, you have no idea how much time you have left, what detours life will throw at you, or what unexpected opportunities might arise.

Instead of obsessing over getting there quickly, focus on enjoying the process. Stay committed to your dreams and goals, but don’t let the pressure of timelines steal the joy of the present moment. After all, taking the scenic route is often more enriching than speeding down the highway.

Accountability Over Independence

Yes, you can do things alone—but should you? Probably not.

While independence is valuable, accountability accelerates growth. Seeking guidance, support, and mentorship doesn’t take away from your achievements; it enhances them. Learning from someone who’s ahead of you can be a shortcut to success, helping you avoid unnecessary mistakes while gaining wisdom from their experiences.

Having a mentor or an accountability partner keeps you focused and motivated. They can encourage and challenge you in ways that self-reliance alone cannot. Yes, it takes effort and commitment to walk this path with others, but the rewards are well worth it.

Motivation Over Goals

Goals are great—but understanding why you set them is even better.

Instead of just focusing on what you want to achieve, ask yourself why. Want to be a doctor? Why? A YouTuber, influencer, doctor, entrepreneur—why?

You don’t have to have all the answers right away, but taking the time to reflect on your motivations will help you make more intentional choices. It’s easy to chase a goal only to realize later that it doesn’t fulfill you. Understanding your "why" reduces that risk and increases the likelihood of long-term satisfaction.

Knowing your motivation also gives you the strength to push through challenges. When obstacles arise—and they will—it’s your "why" that will keep you going.

Solitude Over Noise

Learn to enjoy your own company. You are the one person who will always be with you, so it’s important to know and understand yourself.

We often get to know ourselves through a healthy balance of relationships and solitude. But real self-discovery happens in those quiet moments, away from the noise of social media and external distractions. Taking intentional time for yourself allows you to reflect, recharge, and grow into the person you are meant to be.

These are the six key lessons I would tell my younger self, and honestly, I still remind myself of them today. That is why I am excited to dive deeper into them in the next couple of weeks.

Life is an ever-evolving journey of learning and growth. If my 20-year-old self could hear me now, I’d tell her: Be patient. Stay curious. Enjoy the ride.