I Met My Younger Self for Coffee—A Reflection on Growth & Change
By: Jessica Faith Graham
Published February 26, 2025
Have you seen the trend on social media lately? "I met my younger self for coffee." It’s a simple yet powerful reflection—imagining sitting down with the younger version of yourself, sharing a conversation over a warm cup of coffee (or in my case, chai tea).
When I took a moment to do this exercise, I realized just how much I’ve grown. My life looks completely different than I once imagined. My journey has been full of unexpected twists, challenges, and lessons I never saw coming. And yet, despite it all, it’s beautiful in ways I never could have planned. Here’s how our conversation went.
A Conversation with My Younger Self
I met my younger self for coffee today…
She arrived 5 minutes early but walked in the door exactly on time. She would be carrying an art portfolio and a black messenger bag. We both would order chai tea.
She told me…
She is unsure what she will do with her art major or what to do after college. Then she would have gone into details about her weekend plans.
I told her…
Follow your passion. What brings you to life? Follow where your energy leads you. Stop worrying about your weekend plans.
She told me…
Maybe her dreams are too unconventional and risky.
I told her…
Imagine waiting until your forties to begin your career. Instead, pursue those dreams now. Embrace the fear. Allow your heart to guide you. Be brave.
She told me…
She keeps choosing the wrong boyfriends.
I told her…
Love yourself. Create a relationship with yourself. Get to know yourself. Accept and love yourself. Everything you need is inside of you.
She would look at me, not wanting to end the conversation.
She would ask one question…What should I do?
I would tell her…
She has all the answers. She knows exactly what to do, but she needs to trust herself. She understands what is best for her, yet she must be brave enough to listen. She should learn to quiet her mind and pay attention to her needs. Then, she can live her life by honoring those needs.
Try This Reflection for Yourself
I encourage you to take a moment to do this exercise. Sit with the idea of meeting your younger self—whether it’s from 5, 10, or even 20 years ago. What would that version of you be excited about? Worried about? What advice would you give them?
Sometimes, we get so caught up in where we think we should be that we forget to acknowledge how much we’ve already grown. This practice can be a beautiful way to reflect on your journey, appreciate your progress, and recognize the wisdom you’ve gained along the way. This can be very healing because you will see your younger self was doing their best with the knowledge and life lessons they had at the time.
If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few guiding questions to help you reflect:
What did your younger self dream about? Are any of those dreams still alive in you today?
What would you tell them about the journey ahead? How would you reassure them?
What struggles felt overwhelming back then, but seem smaller in hindsight?
What would your younger self be most proud of if they saw you today?
Take some time to journal about this, or even just sit with your thoughts. You might be surprised at the perspective and clarity it brings.
And if you feel like sharing, I’d love to hear—what would you tell your younger self over coffee? 💛
If this reflection resonated with you and you’re looking for support in your own journey of growth and self-discovery, I’d love to walk alongside you. As a therapist and mindfulness mentor, I help individuals navigate life’s transitions, build self-trust, and embrace the beauty of their unique path.
If you’re interested in working together, I’m currently accepting new clients for both in-person and virtual sessions. You can learn more or schedule a session. I’d love to connect with you.
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Please feel free to share your comments below.
