I picked up another chick lit that is not written by Sophie Kinsella. I borrowed the book  written by another Brit writer, Alexandra Potter entitled, “Who’s That Girl“.

The story is about a self-made successful woman who just by chance (it was not clearly explained in the book why) met and befriended her  20-year-old self. I was not impressed by  this book. It is not funny as Sophie Kinsella book. The story was dragging and the almost exciting parts started at page 200 and the protagonist met her leading man at page 250.  Honestly, I skimmed through the rest of the pages and I didn’t even finished the book. Sophie Kinsella is still the “Queen of Chick Lit” for me.

But this book made me think. What you say to your 20-year-old self if you meet her today?” Hmmm…. If only I could I give her  a lot of lecturing and give her this list of advices:

1. WEAR SUNSCREEN AND STAY AWAY FROM THE SUN

I don’t care about the sun before. I don’t mind walking home without an umbrella under the blazing sun. I am also too thrifty to ride a pedicab to my house. So hello sunburnt forehead! I realize how clueless I am to the danger of exposing my sunscreen-free skin to the sun and what damage it can cause to my skin. I might not be seeing the results of my carelessness now but I hope I won’t be paying up for it anytime soon.

2. DONT LET AN OPPORTUNITY PASS YOU BY

I realize I have missed out in a lot of opportunities in my early 20’s due to laziness, cowardice and pride. I should know by now that opportunities knocks only once and by saying no, i have missed out my chance. I would haughtily say “no” to good opportunities offered before because I want to spend more time hanging out with my bestfriend in college or I wouldn’t want my friends left out on my activities. How lame is that?

3. EAT HEALTHILY

In my early 20’s, I lived alone in Iloilo and away from my family who are living in Saudi Arabia. My meals consist usually of instant pancit canton, canned corned beef or take-out foods. My taste buds are now so accustomed to preservatives that I seek out these chemical-laden substances to “nourish” my body. It is hard to get it out of my system  but I am so used to those “instant” everything.

4. GOOD GUYS ARE NOT ALWAYS GOOD

In  my younger years, my dream guy would be a neat-looking guy in polo and slacks with glasses and winning smile. Now I learned looks can be very very deceiving. As far as I know, even the guys that look like good boys are not really good boys. Sadly, most of thes ‘good-boy-looking’ men are the players. Never judged men by how they look. I never knew that a scruffy tattooed guy would treat me way better than those polite clean-cut guys.

5. NEVER ALLOW OTHER PEOPLE TO DECIDE YOUR FUTURE FOR YOU

This is tough because at our early 20’s some of us (yes, me especially)  are clueless to what we want in life and what can make us happy. But it is our future and we will be the one living in it. The choices we make and the path we choose will determine our happiness. Other people will give us that advice but they will not be living our lives. We have to commit to what we want and not be swayed to what other people thing will be good for us.

6. LETTING GO OF TOXIC PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES

Spending time with toxic people can be damaging to our esteem and wasting our precious time. You will then wake up and realize that a great amount of your years was sucked out of you, spending time with the wrong people. I am not only talking of men here. I also means wrong friends. Let go of them and choose wisely.

7. STOP CARING WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK

This is a tough one. This advice can be given to any age group because a lot of people is still struggling with this, me included. But its true. Not caring about what other people think about is the best gift you can give yourself. Let them think what they want to think. You are not perfect and neither are they. It is pretty damn exhausting to be seeking approval from almost everyone. The most important thing is what you think of yourself.

8. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

We all have this inherent magical powers in us. We can be who we want to be if we set our mind to it. All we need is to believe in ourself. We are unique in our own way. We just have to truly believe in ourselves.

I dont have a time machine to turn back time and tell these to my early 20 year old self but  I still have more time to work towards my future.. a better and happy future..  So do you…

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