Letter To My Younger Self...

As part of this month’s theme, ‘A Girl At Any Age’, we asked two iconic nzgirls, media personality Kerre Woodham and squash legend Susan Devoy, to take a leap back in time, and write a letter to their younger selves, outlining everything they wished they’d known when they were 25.

 

Each letter is seriously insightful and delightful – there’s a slice of advice for every nzgirl! Although we don’t come programmed to automatically know all our life lessons, at least we can learn from other nzgirls…

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I’ve been given the opportunity to let you in on a few secrets - the things you only know when you have a lot of years under your belt and crows’ feet round your eyes.  It’s probably pointless offering you advice - you won’t take it because at 25, you think you know everything.  Still, it’s worth a try, because life would have been a lot easier if you knew at 25 what I know now.

 

First up, start a saving plan.  I know, I know - you can’t afford it.  But really, you can.  Even ten bucks a week - a couple of lattes - will make all the difference.  I realise you can’t possibly imagine ever reaching forty - in fact, when you were younger you used to joke that you’d rather be dead than forty - but it will come sooner than you think.  Being young and poor sucks - being old and poor will be a whole lot worse.  It’s easy for you now - there’s a KiwiSaver plan.  If you do one thing, and one thing only, I would advise you to start small and start saving.

 

Second, there are no Prince Charmings.  Do not, under any circumstances, sit around waiting for some poor guy to come along to rescue you from your poverty/boring life/tedious job/low self-esteem.  If there are issues in your life, deal with them yourself.  The guys are just the same as you - struggling along, trying to make sense of life, and wanting to find someone who values and respects them.  They are not trophies and they’re not there for you to scratch your claws on. 

 

Thirdly, the Karma Bus will always get you.  If you cheat, lie and/or generally behave in a morally reprehensible way, the Karma Bus will make a stop at your door.  However, the good thing is the Karma Bus will deal to those who have wronged you, too.  Leave the payback to the gods and get on with your own life.  The best revenge is living well and eventually, those who have hurt you will suffer in their turn.

 

Fourth, don’t drink too much and get yourself in an unsafe situation.  If you’re going to get monstered, go out with friends and take turns being the sober chaperone.  A drunken slapper is not a victim.  She’s an idiot who needs to get her act together.

 

Fifth, invest in Egyptian cotton sheets, fabulous shoes and fine underwear.  And not just the lacy fantasy garments boys dream of.  Go for sexy shapewear (like the sort from Jockey) that is comfortable and gives you a great foundation. 

 

And finally, however bad life gets, it will get better.  Ride out the lows and enjoy the highs.  Learn from your mistakes and take chances.  You’re in for one hell of an incredible ride. 

 

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Well, who would have believed that when you left Rotorua at the young age of 17 to pursue your dream of being the best in the world, that here you are at 25, with not one but five British Opens and two World championships under your belt…  A whole lot more to aspire to too.

Knowing how hard you have worked, and the sacrifices you’ve made (especially in your teenage years), you need to celebrate your achievements more and take time out to smell the roses.

 

I appreciate that the excitement of winning is never the same as the very first time you reach your ultimate goal, and it can be a lonely place at the top with everyone aspiring to knock you off your perch. Remember, whatever you do in life that sets you apart from the crowd requires tremendous courage and fortitude.

 

You’ve made some brave decisions and whilst your bank balance may have suffered, you will later feel proud that you didn’t tour South Africa in its worse days of apartheid and that you made a stand, at some personal cost, for equality of prize money for women.

 

I know you never leave any stone unturned when it comes to training and competing, but the odd day off here and there will do you no harm, and it may be an opportunity to sightsee and shop. Who knows? It may be years before you travel the world again…

 

Now that you are established I would get some good financial advice, I am not sure whether keeping your money under the mattress is best financial practice.

Whilst you are earning good dosh make some provisions for a rainy day.

 

I know you worry about being so far from your mum and dad, but don’t fret, they are fine and you have six brothers (as useless as men can be sometimes) to look after them. You will never really understand the amount of pleasure your career has given them, and despite feeling that you will never fully repay the time, effort and money they put into your career, they wouldn’t change things for the world.

 

Yes they are getting on in age but have life long memories of the trips you have given them to see you win your coveted titles.

 

Last, but not least, I can’t believe that your biological clock is ticking so strongly! Remember you are a long time retired and let me assure you the challenges of parenting will be far harder than any professional sporting career. You have been married for a few years now, amazing how you thought you would get left on the shelf, so took the first one that came along. Lucky he was a goodie, so make the most of this unique opportunity. Life will never be the same with the responsibilities of offspring and mortgages.

 

Spend that precious time together appreciating what you have rather than what you don’t, and always remember those values that your father has instilled in you.

 

Never forget where you came from and never forget the people who have helped you along the way.