What I wish somebody told me earlier before I learned it the hard way.
I turn 27 this year and I’ve found myself thinking a lot more about the person I'm becoming.
But in my early 20s, I wasn't thinking about her at all.
I was just getting through each day, working a lot and not really being intentional about my health and well-being until I got so sick last year that I couldn't even get out of bed.
And that experience taught me this.
Your future self inherits everything that you're doing right now.
And the tricky thing is, is that many unhealthy habits are normalised.
When it feels like everyone around you is doing it, you assume that I must be fine.
For me, that habit was work.
And for a lot of people my age, it's vaping.
I have seen it firsthand with my friends.
It starts casually, someone offers you a vape, you try it, and then suddenly it's part of your routine and you find it hard to stop.
I watch friends realize that nicotine is really addictive, can start affecting things like your focus, your mood, and your memory.
Especially when you're young and your brain is still developing these impacts add up.
We don't even fully know the long term risks yet.
So I think it comes down to checking in with yourself.
Is this actually serving me?
Because you deserve to feel good not just later, but right now and the person you're becoming.
She starts with the choices you're making today.
If you're thinking about quitting, know that it's not always easy and that's OK.
It might take a few tries, but you're not in this alone.
Choosing yourself is the first step to a healthier and happier you.