Insights

3 Powerful Life Lessons I Wish I Knew in My 20’s

In this personal letter to my younger self, I share three life-changing lessons about self-worth, self-love, and faith; insights to help you navigate adulthood with greater confidence, inner peace, and belief in yourself.
Young adult Sava Politis standing confidently in a kitchen, masking inner struggles with self-belief and purpose.

Dear Sava,

For far too long, you have been carrying the weight of the world, asking yourself, ‘Why me?’

I know how you are feeling right now, and I want to take a moment to acknowledge it. It feels like the world is moving forward without you, doesn’t it? Everyone around you seems to have it all figured out….they are advancing in their careers, moving into new places, achieving success, and there you are, feeling like you are standing still.

It’s overwhelming….

That quiet ache in your chest, the anxiety, the tension that stresses at your mind, wondering “Why not me? Why am I not enough?” It’s like a storm swirling inside, and no matter how much you try to stay afloat, the waves keep crashing down. The constant acting to others that you are happy and confident is taking its toll on you.

However, here’s the thing….that storm is not here to break you.

I know it feels heavy and suffocating, but I promise you, there is something powerful in the eye of that storm. Seriously powerful! It is your calling to go inward, asking you to listen, not to the chaos outside, but to your own, enriching heart. The truth is, you are not behind, and you are not broken. You are exactly where you are meant to be, even if it doesn’t look like what you imagined.

You see, life isn’t about racing toward someone else’s finish line. You are not here to compete in a game that was not designed for you. You have your own unique journey, a path that is entirely your own. And yes, sometimes that path winds and twists in ways that make you doubt if you are even moving in the right direction. Sometimes it is hard to see beyond the fog of comparison. Even the seemingly insignificant steps you take are moving you closer to your true self. Be patient and kind you yourself Sava.

What if, instead of focusing on what others have achieved, instead of focusing on what will people say….connect within and ask yourself, “What am I here to create? What ignites my spark?”

What if the quiet, patient voice within you knows the way, yet you have been drowning it out with all the noise around you? Success does not come from following someone else’s script. In a world that benchmarks “success” with material wealth and status, understand today that this is not the true definition of success. You cannot take it with you. It comes from honouring the treasures already within you, the gifts that make you uniquely you, and sharing it with others and the world. Your unconditional love that resides in your heart and your spirit that shines with resilience and hope will guide you through even the darkest moments, reminding you of your true strength and capacity for growth.

Maybe you feel like those “gifts” are not enough. Maybe you have spent so much time measuring yourself against the world’s expectations that you have forgotten your own, true value. But let me tell you, you are enough….absolutely. Right now, in this very moment. You are enough just as you are, with all your fears, doubts, and uncertainties. You do not need to be more like someone else. You do not need to fit into the mould that society has created. Your worth is not measured by how quickly you achieve, how much money you have or your asset portfolio. No! Your worth is how deeply you live your truth – in faith, love, hope, and forgiveness.

I know the pressure feels crushing at times. It’s hard to breathe under the weight of expectation….from others, from yourself. It’s easy to feel like you are not doing enough, not being enough. Yet the truth is, life is not about doing more, it is about being more of who you already are and continuously learning and growing. You are a soul on a journey, and every experience, even the hard ones, is teaching you something about yourself. Your outstanding self!

And here’s where faith, love, and hope come in.

Life will sometimes feel like a test, but it is in these moments of struggle that you are asked to lean into your faith….not only faith in God, but faith in you. The faith that you are capable, that you are deserving of love and compassion, even when you feel lost. With faith comes love….love for yourself, love for those around you, and love for your journey, no matter how uncertain it feels. And that love grows into hope, the kind of hope and optimism that sees the light even in the darkest of times. Focusing and nurturing optimism rather than pessimism daily. And lastly, you will encounter the greatest love of all….forgiveness. As you travel through life, it will be essential to learn and practice forgiveness. Forgiveness for your past mistakes, for the pain others may have caused you, and most importantly, forgiveness for yourself….for the unrealistic expectations you believed you had to fulfill.

Faith, love, hope, and forgiveness are the greatest gifts that will sustain you through any storm, constantly reminding you that you are never truly alone on this journey.

So, take a breath. Let go of the belief that you must have everything figured out right now. You don’t! No one does, no matter how great their lives may look like. Everyone has their own struggles, their own moments of doubt, their own insecurities that they keep hidden behind smiles and success stories. What matters is not how fast you get there, but how you choose to show up for yourself along the way. Focus on today and focus on your true intentions that all reside in your heart to guide you forward.

There is a beginning yet no end to the outstandingly endless opportunities and abundant possibilities life offers you. Believed it!

It’s okay to feel lost at times, and it’s okay not to have all the answers.

What matters is that you keep moving forward, not in the frantic, manic rush to prove yourself. But with the steady, grounded belief that you are worthy of the life you desire. That life begins not with external achievements, but with the love and acceptance you offer yourself in this very moment.

 

What would it look like to start believing in yourself, even just a little? What if, instead of criticising yourself for what you have not done, you celebrated all that you have overcome? You have already made it through so much, more than you give yourself credit for. And that strength, that resilience….that is what’s going to carry you forward. Don’t dwell on the problems or let them overwhelm you. Instead, shift your focus to gratitude, the blessings around you, and the lessons that fuel your growth. Just like you wouldn’t go to the gym once and expect to achieve peak physical strength from a single session, growth takes consistency, patience, and dedication.

The world may tell you that you need to hustle, to grind, to push through until you have “made it.” However, I am here to tell you that the real work isn’t about hustling harder….it’s about softening into yourself. It’s about learning to trust that there is a plan for your life, even when you cannot see it. It’s about giving yourself permission to slow down, to heal, to rest, and to grow in your own time.

You are not a project to be fixed. You are a uniquely beautiful, evolving soul with infinite outstanding potential. The more you connect with who you truly are, the more the right opportunities, people, and experiences will naturally align in your life.

It all begins with you….by choosing to wholeheartedly believe in both God and yourself, even when the path feels difficult. Choosing to love God and yourself, even when the world tells you otherwise.

Your worth is not tied to your accomplishments and material possessions. You are worthy simply because you exist. You are loved simply because you are. And the moment you begin to see that, the moment you start to trust in your own value, is the moment your life will begin to shift.

So….take that next step, not because you need to catch up with anyone else, but because you deserve to move forward. You deserve to live a life that feels fulfilling, joyful, and aligned with your deepest truth. And you don’t need anyone’s permission to start….you just need your own.

I believe in you.

I believe in the power of your dreams, the strength of your spirit, and the beauty of your journey.

You are here for a reason, and the world is waiting for you to shine. Enjoy the journey.

Keep believing….

I love you.

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