Advice to My Past Self by Carly

Advice to My Past Self by Carly - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could give one piece of advice to my past self, it would be this: don’t worry about things you can’t control. Life has a way of unfolding in ways we often don’t expect, and trying to manage every outcome is not only impossible — it’s exhausting.
Looking back, I realize how much time I spent worrying about the future. I’ve always had big dreams and high expectations for myself. I want to be successful — not just in terms of money, but in making a meaningful impact in the world. That ambition can be a great motivator, but it also made me feel anxious and overwhelmed. I would stress over things that hadn’t even happened yet: What if I fail? What if I choose the wrong path? What if I’m not good enough? These thoughts created unnecessary pressure and often held me back from fully enjoying the present moment.
What I didn’t understand then is that some parts of life are simply out of our hands. We can work hard, prepare well, and make smart choices — but we can’t predict every outcome. Sometimes things go wrong despite our best efforts. Sometimes doors close so better ones can open. Worrying about all the “what ifs” doesn’t stop bad things from happening; it just robs us of peace in the present.
Letting go of that need for control has been one of the hardest, yet most freeing lessons I’ve learned. When I focus on what I can control — my attitude, my effort, my values — I feel more grounded and confident. Life becomes less about fearing the future and more about trusting the process.
So, to my past self: breathe. Trust that everything will unfold the way it’s meant to. Keep working hard, but don’t lose yourself in fear. You’re doing better than you think, and your path will become clearer with time. The future will take care of itself — just focus on doing your best right now.