28 years ago I first stepped onto the beautiful island of Santorini.
I always knew I’d be back.
I just had no idea what the 28 years in between would look like.
I’ve been thinking about what I would tell my young 21 year old self…
It’s not going to go as planned. Some things will fall into place. Some things will then fall out of place. Some things will never find a place. But don’t worry – trust the process. It is all better than you could ever have planned.
Life will be hard. Life will be beautiful. Embrace it all. There will be laughter and tears. Setbacks and growth. Sorrow and excitement. It will all shape who you become. You will get through.
You won’t regret your education. Build a solid career. You won’t regret travel. Make it a priority. You won’t regret taking chances on different business ventures. Take risks. You won’t regret investing in yourself. Keep learning. Keep growing. Teach. Be brave, ambitious and determined. Develop independence. Speak your mind. Don’t settle. You deserve to love and fully be loved. Be kind. Oh so kind – especially to yourself. It will take a while but work on developing self compassion. You don’t need to be perfect. You won’t please everyone. Some people won’t like you. They are simply crazy 😂(and you will learn you can’t fight crazy – so let them be!) Take care of all of you – body, heart, mind and soul. Have your own back. And heart.
And you will find love ❤️. It just won’t happen as you expect it. But it will be worth the wild, scary, lonely, beautiful fairy tale ride to find it. Hang in there. It continues to get better too.
Being a mother will be a beautiful, frustrating, rewarding, heartbreaking, sacred, hilarious adventure. You will learn to love as you never have. Oh, and you’ll embrace being a step mom too (woah that would have thrown 21year old Leah for a loop). The family you create will be such a gift. You will find the greatest joy here ❤️ You won’t regret any of the sacrifices you make – or how your family is your biggest priority… but at times it will be so very hard 🥺. Oh and get a cat and a dog – eventually. They will become part of your family too.
Invest in all your relationships – yourself, partner, family, friends, colleagues, clients, neighbours – even strangers who you’ll eventually meet “online” (don’t worry – you’ll learn what that means!) Surround yourself with those who challenge you to be the best you. Strengthen your faith – you will rely on it at times, and it will give you a foundation to stand on and become an anchor to you. Seek light. Seek wisdom. Seek understanding.
Finally, be in no rush. There is a season for it all. The days truly are long but the years are very short. Before you know it you’ll be back. So Savour. Document. Express gratitude. Have fun. Let your heart take pictures often. Look for thin places. Create thin moments (you’ll learn what those mean too 😉). Search for tender mercies – they will be everywhere.
You got this.
What would you tell your 21 year old self?
