6 Lessons Every Young Person Can Learn From Solange’s Letter To Her Teenage Self

In a recent edition of Teen Vogue Magazine, Solange Knowles wrote a letter to her teenage self, where she shared all of the things she wishes she had known at that period of her life.

Like Toke Makinwa’s letter to her 18-year-old self, Solange implored a younger her to take her time and grow, appreciate the little stuff and not worry too much.

Every young person can learn a thing or two from the inspiring letter and we’ve listed some of our favourite points below.

1. Do not be in a hurry to grow up and get it right
Solange started her letter by imploring a young her to embrace every step of her journey and not worry too much about it; it would be good, bad and sometimes outrightly scary, but the best thing to do would be to embrace it every step of the way.
“Take your time, baby girl. There’s no rush to get there. You will sow each of these chapters in the land that you become. You will see bits and pieces of them scattered into the skin you grow into. You don’t have to figure everything out now. Time will reveal itself. I promise you”

2. Words can only have power over you if you let them
It’s a cold world out there. People will call you names and throw unkind words at you. Sometimes you might find yourself believing those words and letting them get to you. Do not. Only you have the power to define yourself.
“You will learn that these are just words. Words that only have power if you choose to give them power. Every once in a while they will hurt, but you will choose to turn those words into a symbol of beauty”

3. Appreciate the things in your life
Be thankful for everything that you have; life, teachers, a wonderful mother and family. Do not fail to appreciate every moment of your life, as some do not have the things you take for granted.
“The lucky stars have been good to you, and there’s a long list of things you’d like to give gratitude to them for.”

4. Show your mother just how much you love her as often as you can
Your mother is a hero; she just doesn’t wear a cape. Appreciate her as often as you can, show her you love her with words, hugs, kisses, help her when you can. Thank her every now and then for those times she struggled, took care of you and your siblings all at the same time, nursed your wound, sacrificed her food for you.
“You often take her for granted, but you know with every joint in your bones that she is a phenomenon and you strive to make her proud. You should thank her out loud more, too; tell her you value her. Roll your eyes and your neck less. It’s not as cute as you think. Tell her you appreciate all that she does, for she makes the impossible look effortless”

5. Do not be afraid to cry and be vulnerable. No one will judge you
Sometimes, it’ll get so hard, you just wanna tell your mama to hold you, just as she used to do when you were a little kid, but instead you yell at her and tell her to leave you, as you’re too grown up to be fussed over. Do not worry about being ‘too vulnerable’. Allow yourself to be loved and helped by the ones who love you.
“When you ask everyone to leave you alone and let you be, what you really want to say is “I want you here” and “I need help.”
Sometimes it is ok to say just that. It won’t make you less strong or less powerful. No one you love will criticize you or blame you; in fact, they will lift you up.”

6. Difficult times will come. Welcome them and stay strong, for it’ll get better with time
Sometimes, you will find yourself faced with the most difficult situations, and you will do nothing but worry about what the future holds. It’s ok to not know, it’s ok to make mistakes, it’s ok to fail sometimes. Learn from them, be brave enough to make crazy decisions that some might consider outrageous.
Every mistake will teach you a lesson, sometimes the best decisions of your life are those ones that no one supports, those ones that will have older people raising their brows and judgy little fingers at you.
Embrace every phase of your life, for all of it will define you and make you better.

“You have a long life ahead of you, and I’ll tell you it’s not gonna always be easy, but I can promise you it will be fruitful and with much purpose. All the bridges you’ve burned, you had to, so that you could rebuild them to become a stronger and more wonderful you.”

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