We all have a few things we would go back and tell our younger selves if given the opportunity and Uzo Adoba did just that in a recent open letter for Teen Vogue.
Speaking to her 18-year-old self with priceless words of wisdom, Uzo touched on everything from love, to friendship, to heartbreak, to self-worth. Check out some of the gems she dropped below.
On love & relationships:
“Set your bar high. Don’t climb down from where your bar is set. Demand the respect, love, care, honor and queendom that you were given and born into this world deserving.”
On heartbreak:
“If I could tell you something about heartbreak: It’s gonna hurt, I’m not even gonna lie. But I think that’s the risk we have to take to reach the side of greatness and that’s where love lives. What I would tell you more than anything, when it comes to heartbreak, even though you felt it, dare to love again.”
On the importance of a female support system:
“Having a female support next to you, or a female strength next to you, is going to encourage you to be a better person. It is going to empower you. It is going to uplift you. It is going to inspire you and it’s gonna create an aspirational environment for you. That is what women do for women so, lean into that.”
On friendships:
“They are the most valuable thing in your life, second only to family. Do not throw away a good friend.”
On knowing your worth:
“I am so excited for this chapter of your life. This is when you started to realize your worth and your value and that you are valuable and you are loved. I’m going to encourage you to never lose sight of that, to always know your worth. And stand firm in that. Some people are gonna try and challenge that but you know yourself. You know who you are, you know the woman you want to be and the one you hope to become.”
Hear the rest of Uzo’s advice for her 18-year-old self in the video below.
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