I often wish I could go back to 17-year-old Dana and tell her to flip off those dickheads in school that picked on her, and just walk away shrugging her shoulders. But she had to learn it the hard way. Now that I’ve matured a great deal, discovered a couple (yes only a couple!) of white hair on my head, I see the world in a very different way.

I’m sure the learning experience will continue as I turn 40, 50, and so on. I sometimes wonder what my future self would want to tell me right now and I’m pretty sure it would go this way:

Stop worrying about not being married. It’ll happen and you’ll have kids and dream of the days you were single and free. You’ll wish you could still wake up at 11am on the weekends and have a hot cup of coffee in bed.

Don’t pay attention to what people say or think about you. If anything, the more they talk about you, the more you matter to them in some form or another.

Forgive yourself. You’re bound to make mistakes and unintentionally (or maybe intentionally) hurt a few people along the way. It’s OK. Just learn from your mistakes and move on.

Cherish your mom and dad. They won’t be around forever. You’ll realize all they have sacrificed for you once you become a mother yourself.

If it’s meant to be it’ll be. Stop worrying about what will happen and if it’ll happen and when it’ll happen. Things will naturally fall into place.

Don’t judge people by the way they look or solely based on the first time you meet them. You’ll end up becoming best friends with the girl you initially didn’t like so much or find support in your darkest moments from an unlikely acquaintance.

Smile at strangers. You never know what they may be going through and your smile can make a difference in their day. It’ll also make you happier.

Find a partner that can be your best friend. You’ll end up going through the toughest moments in life with this person, as well as the most joyful of times. You want to be able to laugh and hold hands all throughout.

Stop making excuses for everything. You can accomplish anything you want. Stop postponing things or repeating to yourself that you can’t do it. The time is now. Be empowered, you’re not a victim of this world.

Take care of your body. It’ll thank you later. You only get one body so make sure you treat it right.

Don’t lie to yourself. When you know something isn’t right, don’t try to convince yourself otherwise. Your gut instinct is sometimes your best friend.

Stop trying to please others. It’s ok to say no. They won’t die from it.

Have more fun and be spontaneous. Life doesn’t have to be planned by the minute. Make last minute plans, try out something you would’ve never dared to try. You’ll wish you had done so later on.

Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone is unique and has their own set of struggles. Be content with what you have as it’s all you really know.

Everyone has their own path in life and yours is unique and special.