Letter to My 21-Year-Old Self

To my younger self, who was painfully arrogant, didn’t know how to dress, only had obvious steps in front of him his whole life, do you remember that vague sense that you were always a bit naive for your age? Or the feeling that life had many mysteries in the great beyond that is adulthood? Well it was true, and your suspicions of adulthood were right (you’re on your own in more ways than one, no one can guide you as well as yourself). And honestly you never really caught up until life made you. Still, you were always self aware, did the best with the cards you were given, and were decently bright. You kept focusing on yourself and eventually figured out the missing pieces to a fulfilling life. I can confidently say that I respect the person who I am today in terms of life experience / career outcomes / skills / character and that life is much less of a mystery compared to when I was a new grad. I can’t say at 27 that we’ve made it there entirely, but life is looking up. And at the very least, you didn’t go through any major career or financial struggles. My greatest regrets were not focusing more on personal connections and having a little more fun than focusing on career. There were many routes to a decent career. But not many to an overall fulfilling life.

Best of luck,

Peter