Pearls of Wisdom

What would you tell your younger self?

Be more confident, look after your physical health – and learn to say no are among the top 50 things women wish they could go back and tell themselves.

A survey of 2,000 females aged from 18 to 65 and over, found stop caring what others think, don’t waste time with negative people and don’t let opportunities pass you by also featured high on the list of advice.

While health was a prominent theme, including to make sure you understand your own body, look after your mental health and consume treat food and drinks in moderation.

But it wasn’t all serious, as women would also advise their younger selves to go on all the holidays they can, take more photos and to leave their eyebrows alone.

Other pearls of wisdom included prioritising friends over romantic partners as they’ll be around longer, being yourself, and that if something needs to be a secret, it’s probably not a good idea.

A spokesperson for Vitabiotics Wellwoman, which commissioned the research, said: “They say hindsight is a wonderful thing, and that is often the case when you look back at things that have happened in the past.

“I’m sure we’ve all got things we’d love to be able to go back and tell our younger selves now we have lived through it and come out the other side.

“It’s easy to look back and think about you would do things differently – life is all about learning from experience.

“But empowering women to share that knowledge and experience with younger generations is key – women should support women to give their health and wellbeing a boost as much as possible.”

The study also found 55 per cent of women admitted there’s nothing they’d like more than to go back and pass advice onto their younger selves, but a quarter admitted they probably wouldn’t listen.

However, there were some generational differences in the advice they would pass on, with older women more likely to tell the younger them to pay into a pension, learn from their mistakes and have a healthy diet.

Whereas Gen Z and millennials are more likely to recommend taking more photos, looking after your mental health better and not feeling like you have to attend every social event.

But 22 per cent of all women admitted health and nutrition related tips would be a priority to pass on to the early version of themselves.

It also emerged 52 per cent sought advice from others when they were younger, with parents seen as the best source of help, followed by grandparents and best friends.

It works both ways though as nearly one in five (19 per cent) have also given advice to an older person that they went on to take.

And 88 per cent think it’s important for women to help and support each other as much as possible.

The research, carried out via OnePoll, also revealed 46 per cent feel January is a great time to reflect on advice they’ve received and act on it.

Health and fitness are the most common areas to reflect on during the new year, along with finances, diet and nutrition, and their appearance.

A spokesperson for Vitabiotics Wellwoman said: “You often receive advice and tips, but sometimes it’s only later on that you look back, reflect and wish you had taken it on board.

“But the new year is a great time to do this and re-evaluate things to make your health and wellbeing a priority.”

TOP 50 THINGS WOMEN WOULD TELL THEIR YOUNGER SELVES

1. Be more confident
2. Stop caring what other people think
3. Learn to love and accept yourself
4. Learn to say no
5. Don’t waste time with negative people
6. Have faith in yourself
7. Put into a pension scheme regularly, even earlier in life
8. If things aren’t working out, make a change
9. Don’t let opportunities pass you by
10. Look after your physical health more
11. Save 10 per cent of your wages every month
12. Learn from your mistakes
13. Go on all the holidays you can
14. Tell your friends and family you love them often
15. Be yourself, don’t be a sheep
16. Don’t be afraid to speak up and share your opinion
17. Make sure you eat a healthy balanced diet
18. Listen to your gut instinct
19. Look after your mental health better
20. Spend more time with your parents/grandparents
21. Try and live in the moment
22. Invest in property as early as you can
23. Just relax and enjoy the ride
24. Have a good skincare regime early
25. Worry less about the future
26. Resolve arguments quickly because you never know when the last time you might see someone may be
27. Eat more of the foods that are good for you
28. Never feel it’s too late to change career
29. Celebrate the little wins
30. Appreciate your own children more when they are tiny
31. Take better care in the sun
32. Dress up for yourself, nobody else
33. Be more independent
34. Take more photos
35. Spend more time with your friends
36. Consume ‘treat’ food and drinks in moderation
37. Seek medical/professional advice if something is concerning you
38. Learn more about ‘female health’ so you can better understand your body (e.g. periods, fertility, menopause)
39. Leave your eyebrows alone (don't overpluck them!)
40. Prioritise friends over romantic partners – they’ll be around for longer
41. Be disciplined with your time
42. Don't get rid of any clothes because they'll most likely come back into fashion
43. Don’t settle down with a partner until your thirties
44. Forget FOMO – you don’t have to go to everything
45. If it has to be a secret, it’s probably not a good idea
46. Set yourself physical challenges (e.g. 10,000 steps per day, a 10k run)
47. Take vitamin supplements to support your diet and health needs
48. Read better books
49. Ask for more pay rises or a promotion
50. Don’t be afraid of rejection when asking someone out