I have always wanted to go back in time and speak with my 18-year-old self. She was very cynical, slightly emo, and refused to accept the fact that she is not the reincarnation of Effy Stonem from Skins. Maybe I’d give her some advice: put the eyeliner pen down. Maybe I’d scold her: “Babe, you have a curfew; go home.” Or maybe I’d just tell her where we end up: somewhere we definitely did not expect. I think everyone feels this way sometimes—like they want to go back in time and have a conversation with their teenage self. Who better to understand your lowest lows and relish in your highest highs than she will? I’ve always deemed it important to communicate and connect with your younger self, to keep her in the loop and remind yourself of the first person you ever became. Have weekly check-ins with her, “Hey! Remember so-and-so from high school? She got fat,” or “OMG you will never believe what we do for a living.” I think no one understands me or will even be able to more than she does, and I find myself writing her letters sometimes. Now, I have written her countless letters, and they’re all tucked away in my Zara bomber jacket from that time (because it’s the first place she will look), and we have also asked 6 of the most influential and successful women to take on that task as well. They’re personal, raw, and speak to their past selves directly from the heart—a feat very few of us have been able to accomplish.

Hala Hegazi, Managing Director and Group COO at Nogoum FM & Nile FM

Dear 18-year-old me,

You think life is just beginning, and you’re right. But what you don’t know yet is how quickly the years will pass. One day you will wake up and realize that decades have gone by in what feels like a moment. So let me share a few things I wish you knew earlier. First, take care of your body. Move, exercise, stay strong. Being fit is not about how you look, it’s about how you feel and how long you can keep doing the things you love. Your future self will thank you for every walk, every workout, every moment you chose health.

Learn early the difference between what is truly important and what is simply urgent. Life will constantly throw “priorities” at you—deadlines, expectations, noise. But not everything that demands your attention deserves your heart. The important things are fewer and deeper: your health, your family, your peace of mind.

Be generous, but not blindly so. Your time, energy, and kindness are precious. Not everyone deserves unlimited access to them. Choose carefully who you give yourself to. Some people will nurture your spirit, and others will drain it. It’s okay to walk away from those who do. And remember this: giving is a beautiful thing, but it is meant to flow both ways. It is normal, healthy, and human to expect care, respect, and effort in return. Mutuality is not selfish—it is balance.

Spend more time with your parents than you think you need to. Sit with them, listen to their stories, laugh with them, ask questions. These moments will one day become some of your most treasured memories, and they cannot be replaced once they’re gone.

When you become a mother, you will want to do everything perfectly. You will worry about getting it right all the time. But here is the truth: perfection is not what your children need. What they will remember are the moments—your laughter, your presence, the warmth of home, the memories you create together. Enjoy raising them. Let go of the pressure to be perfect and embrace the blessing of watching them grow.

Life will be beautiful, complicated, joyful, and sometimes painful. But it will also be rich in ways you cannot yet imagine.

So breathe, trust yourself, and remember: life is not only about doing things right. It is about living them fully.

With love, understanding, and the wisdom of forty more years,

Your 58-year-old self

Rania El Adl, Chief Marketing Officer at Modupay

Dear 18 year old Rania,

You are about to step into a world that will challenge you, surprise you, and shape you in ways you cannot yet imagine.

You will work hard, push yourself, and hold yourself to high standards. That determination will take you further than you can imagine and open doors you cannot yet see.

Never lose sight of what truly matters: not just what you achieve, but the kind of person you become and the impact you leave on others.

Along the way, remember that you do not always have to keep the peace or make everyone comfortable. It is okay to take up space, trust your voice, and stand by what you believe.

And pause sometimes. Take in where you are. The journey will be full of moments worth appreciating, even while you are reaching for what comes next.

Be kind to yourself and enjoy more of it along the way.

Rania

Amina Khalil, Founder and Creative Director of Amina K.

Dear 18-year-old Amina,

As I approach my 41st birthday, I’ve decided to fully embrace this new phase of my life, to appreciate the woman I’ve become and everything I’ve achieved.

You’re in for quite a ride. There will be challenges, many of them, but remember: God never gives you more than you can handle. You will doubt yourself often, but keep going.

You are ambitious, resilient, and you have a dream. Fight for that dream. Have the confidence to ask for what you want, no one will simply hand it to you. And remember, you deserve everything you are working for. Don’t feel guilty for wanting it all.

You have a purpose, and that is a blessing.

Stay grounded. Try not to be so hard on yourself, you have a tendency to burn out when you push too hard. Don’t let your need for perfection get the best of you.

Focus on the work. Master your craft. Stay creative. Don’t seek approval, seek growth.

Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to take risks. Deep down, you almost always know what the next step is.

Learn to delegate. Ask for help. Seek mentors, they will support you when the road feels long or lonely.

Remember that everything changes, so stay focused but flexible.

And most importantly, enjoy the journey. You are doing what you truly love, and that is one of life’s greatest blessings.

With love,

FLAIR MAGAZINE

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