Did you ever wish you could go back in time to give your younger self advice? I certainly have. And so have these remarkable folks. So many of these bits of advice make perfect sense to me. On the assumption that they know what they’re talking about, I’m going to try to remember the ones that are still ahead of me.

In the meantime, here are a few tips I would go back and tell myself if I could.

• Dear 14-year-old: Quit trying to fit in. If you are unapologetically yourself, people will like you.
• Dear 16-year-old: You’ll grow up in due course. You don’t need to do it all right now. Slow down.
• Dear 18-year-old: Don’t put down the guitar or stop singing or dancing. If you don’t use it, it will actually leave you, and it won’t be there to pick up (much) later when you want it.
• Dear 20-year-old: STAY IN SCHOOL, DUMBASS. Going back will be harder than you think.
• Dear 25-year-old: You are hot. Dress accordingly, and have fun (but don’t forget your standards, and don’t take chances with your health). Oh, and stop making stupid faces in pictures. You will regret them.
• Dear 30-year-old: You are younger than you think. Enjoy it. Also, don’t suffer fools.
• Dear 40-year-old: See Dear 30-year-old. Also, dress better and moisturize.
• Dear 50-year-old: Shit is changing. That’s okay. If you’re doing it right, you have friends the same age as you. Talk about everything, and laugh at yourself at every opportunity. And always carry a hand fan in your purse.
• Dear whatever-year-old: When you find love, hold onto it. Here’s what doesn’t have to match up: age, weight, education level, race, height, gender, income level, profession, background, or anything else. Love is precious. Don’t fuck it up.