Eighteen is a bit of a messy time, but it can also be a really exciting time that’s filled with growing and learning. If you could write a letter to your 18-year-old self, what would you say? Y’know, aside from lottery numbers and stuff. Teen Vogue’s “letter to yourself at 18” series with stars like Emilia Clarke and Kerry Washington features stars talking to their adult-ish selves about things they’ve learned.
In the video, Uzo Aduba reads a letter full of encouragement to her younger self filled with valuable and wise advice that we all probably need to hear sometimes. Hearing the Orange is the New Black star tells her 18-year-old self about setting her bar high in regards to love and relationships, and “to demand the respect, love, care, honor, queendom that you were given and born into this world deserving” just made me feel like going out into the world and conquering it.
For all the ladies, Aduba says to “continue to be a girls’ girl” and fostering friendships:
Having a female support, next to a female strength next to you is going to encourage you to be a better person. It is going to empower you, it’s going to uplift you, it’s going to inspire you, and it’s going to create an aspirational environment for you—that is what women do for women. So, lean into that.
Of course, there’s also “listen to your mother” accompanied by an impression and finally to “to always know your worth and stand firm in that.” Now go out there and live a life that Uzo Aduba would be proud of.
(via Buzzfeed)
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