Every scar
has a story. “Letter to My Younger Self” invites you into the
reflective hearts of people who've walked winding roads—offering gentle truths,
bold lessons, and encouragement for anyone still figuring it out. These weekly
letters are full of grace and grit, showing how setbacks shape wisdom and how
the past still holds power to teach. From nurturing curiosity to embracing
mentorship, each piece is a tribute to growth through lived experience.
Brian Wanjiku (Not his real name) pens this week’s heartfelt Letter to My Younger Self.
Dear
younger self,
You’re young, full of fire, and convinced you have to figure out life
right now. You have no idea how far you’ll come or how much you’ll stumble.
Honestly, you don’t know yet.
I’m in my mid 40s now. A husband. A
father to a brilliant 15-year-old girl. Married to my beautiful college
girlfriend. And somehow, I’m living the dream that first whispered to us back
in high school - Journalism.
Yes, i work
in the media, just like you hoped. We didn’t get everything right. There were
painful money mistakes, missed chances, and a few moments that still haunt me.
But listen… we built something. A carer. A family. A name. And you’d be
proud of most of it.
At your
age, I had big dreams. I was sure I’d be rich before 30, driving the best SUV,
maybe raising a family of four. That was the plan. But life, God, nature— had
other ideas. Often painful ones.
Today, I’m
not where I thought I’d be. I don’t have the four kids I imagined. I have one
and she’s an entire world on her own. The girl I loved back in college is now
my wife, a grown woman with her own layers, strengths, and scars.
We laugh, yes. We fight too. There are nights we don’t speak. But there
are holidays, shared dreams, inside jokes — moments that still feel like magic.
We’ve made bad choices. Some dreams slipped away. But we haven’t given
up on building something better.
Dear my
younger self, out here, years don’t walk — they run.
Career
I started
my career at a Christian radio station. Remember how you loved to preach at 19?
How you were the Christian Union chairman back in high school? I thought that
would be enough — that purpose alone would bring satisfaction.
But it didn’t. Yes, I gained experience. But the money? Almost nothing.
And satisfaction doesn’t pay bills.
So I moved, this time to an entirely
new culture: an Asian-owned radio station, with colleagues from different
backgrounds and skin tones. It was eye-opening. I learned more, stretched more,
adapted more. But even with that growth, the pay still disappointed me.
Dear
younger me, out here, money is never quite enough. You think it will be — that
one promotion, one raise — but it keeps slipping through.
Eventually, I moved again. A new workplace. More experience. Bigger
platforms. More exposure. But even now, money stays just out of reach. It
teaches you something: that peace and purpose can't wait for a perfect pay slip
Today, I
want to advise you — not just from what I got right, but also from the mistakes
I’ve made along the way.
Lessons
First, never forget that God is supreme. Trust Him — even when things
don’t make sense.
Second, invest early. The moment you
receive your first salary, no matter how small, start putting something aside.
Learn about money. Avoid bank loans. Seek financial literacy as early as
possible, it will save you years of regret. Go back to school whenever you get
the opportunity.
Build strong relationships. Your
network will often open doors your talent alone cannot.
Stay away from
alcohol, drugs and illicit sex. Protect your health — it’s easy to take your
body for granted when you feel young and invincible. Life on this other side is
very fragile.
Nothing is bigger than family. Marry ONLY at the right time — not
because society expects it, but because you're ready. And once you're in it,
build your marriage your own way — not according to other people’s opinions.
Finally, respect people — always. But don’t fear them. You belong in
every room you walk into.
The Secret is Simple – Pray always, work hard, never lose hope.
Everyone
has a story worth sharing. If you’ve ever wished you could talk to your younger
self—with wisdom, forgiveness, or clarity—we invite you to write to us. Your
real, heartfelt letter might just be the encouragement someone else
needs today. You may remain anonymous if preferred, but your truth
matters. We don’t pay contributors, but we believe in the power of shared
experience. Join us in building a collection of life’s hard-earned lessons and
gentle reminders.
Be part of this movement.: Send your Letter to My Younger Self to: [email protected]
