Being more confident and not caring what others think of you are among the life lessons women would give their younger selves.
A survey of 2,000 women aged from 18 to 65 and over, found stop caring what others think, don’t waste time with negative people and don’t let opportunities pass you by also featured high on the list of 50 pieces of advice they'd give to their younger selves.
The survey also shows learning to say 'no' and looking after your physical health more also featured in the top 10 pearls of wisdom.
The research, by Vitabiotics, also advised people spend more time with friends and family and pay into a pension.
The study also found 55% of women admitted there’s nothing they’d like more than to "go back and pass advice onto their younger selves, but a quarter admitted they probably wouldn’t listen".
When it came to different age groups, older women more likely to tell the younger them to pay into a pension, learn from their mistakes and have a healthy diet.
Younger women, Gen Z and millennials, are more likely to recommend taking more photos, looking after your mental health better, and not feeling like you have to attend every social event.
50 Pearls Of Wisdom Women Would Pass On To Their Younger Selves
| 1 | Be more confident |
| 2 | Stop caring what other people think |
| 3 | Learn to love and accept yourself |
| 4 | Learn to say no |
| 5 | Don’t waste time with negative people |
| 6 | Have faith in yourself |
| 7 | Put into a pension scheme regularly, even earlier in life |
| 8 | If things aren’t working out, make a change |
| 9 | Don’t let opportunities pass you by |
| 10 | Look after your physical health more |
| 11 | Save 10% of your wages every month |
| 12 | Learn from your mistakes |
| 13 | Go on all the holidays you can |
| 14 | Tell your friends and family you love them often |
| 15 | Be yourself, don’t be a sheep |
| 16 | Don’t be afraid to speak up and share your opinion |
| 17 | Make sure you eat a healthy balanced diet |
| 18 | Listen to your gut instinct |
| 19 | Look after your mental health better |
| 20 | Spend more time with your parents/grandparents |
| 21 | Try and live in the moment |
| 22 | Invest in property as early as you can |
| 23 | Just relax and enjoy the ride |
| 24 | Have a good skincare regime early |
| 25 | Worry less about the future |
| 26 | Resolve arguments quickly because you never know when the last time you might see someone may be |
| 27 | Eat more of the foods that are good for you |
| 28 | Never feel it’s too late to change career |
| 29 | Celebrate the little wins |
| 30 | Appreciate your own children more when they are tiny |
| 31 | Take better care in the sun |
| 32 | Dress up for yourself, nobody else |
| 33 | Be more independent |
| 34 | Take more photos |
| 35 | Spend more time with your friends |
| 36 | Consume ‘treat’ food and drinks in moderation |
| 37 | Seek medical/professional advice if something is concerning you |
| 38 | Learn more about ‘female health’ so you can better understand your body (e.g. periods, fertility, menopause) |
| 39 | Leave your eyebrows alone (don't overpluck them!) |
| 40 | Prioritise friends over romantic partners – they’ll be around for longer |
| 41 | Be disciplined with your time |
| 42 | Don't get rid of any clothes because they'll most likely come back into fashion |
| 43 | Don’t settle down with a partner until your thirties |
| 44 | Forget FOMO – you don’t have to go to everything |
| 45 | If it has to be a secret, it’s probably not a good idea |
| Set yourself physical challenges (e.g. 10,000 steps per day, a 10k run) | |
| 47 | Take vitamin supplements to support your diet and health needs |
| 48 | Read better books |
| 49 | Ask for more pay rises or a promotion |
| 50 | Don’t be afraid of rejection when asking someone out |
