Writer and Associate Professor at Philadelphia’s Temple University, Nyasha Junior asked 40-something women what advice they would tell their 20-year younger selves.
Thousands responded, and their words, born of experience, are reminders of what is essential to a happy life and what should be given up.
Scroll through the top 10 answers 40-something women provided to the question, “What advice would you give to your 20-something self?”
1. Get out the special occasion china and wear your party dress, “just because.”
![](https://stories.wimp.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Screen-Shot-2018-11-28-at-5.31.34-PM.png)
Photo Credit: Fempositive.com
2. Tomorrow is a gift.
![](https://stories.wimp.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Screen-Shot-2018-11-28-at-5.31.47-PM.png)
Photo Credit: Fempositive.com
3. No regrets.
![](https://stories.wimp.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Screen-Shot-2018-11-28-at-5.32.17-PM.png)
Photo Credit: Fempositive.com
4. “Quit apologizing.”
![](https://stories.wimp.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Screen-Shot-2018-11-28-at-5.30.21-PM.png)
Photo Credit: Fempositive
5. Be loyal, but be wise.
![](https://stories.wimp.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Screen-Shot-2018-11-28-at-5.30.39-PM.png)
Photo Credit: Fempositive.com
6. Love yourself first.
![](https://stories.wimp.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Screen-Shot-2018-11-28-at-5.29.49-PM.png)
Photo Credit: Fempositive
7. Don’t be afraid of aging.
![](https://stories.wimp.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Screen-Shot-2018-11-28-at-5.29.24-PM.png)
Photo Credit: Fempositive
8. Be alone for awhile.
![](https://stories.wimp.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Screen-Shot-2018-11-28-at-5.28.37-PM.png)
Photo Credit: Fempositive.com
9. So much, this.
![](https://stories.wimp.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Screen-Shot-2018-11-28-at-5.30.56-PM.png)
Photo Credit: Fempositive.com
10. Be independent.
![](https://stories.wimp.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Screen-Shot-2018-11-28-at-5.31.21-PM.png)
Photo Credit: Fempositive.com
What would you say to your younger self?