Letter to my younger self

Dearest Anke,

This is your older self writing this letter. As I’m turning 40 this year, I thought it might be a good time to reflect on life, and share a few things I’ve learned over the past years. So thank you ladies of ChIPs Belgium for giving me this opportunity.

Dearest Anke, first of all, let me start with a confession. I was contemplating of having this letter drafted by Chatgpt. You don’t know this yet, as you are living in the nineties, having to wait an entire week for your favorite TV show to start on Sunday morning (Samson & Gert)? or listening to your favorite singer (Isabelle A) on your walk-man and having to switch the cassette to the other side in the middle of the album. But in the future, you can watch your favorite tv show or listen to your favorite singer whenever you want. And on your phone! And this phone won’t be attached to a wall, you can take it anywhere! One of the biggest innovations of the past year was something called Chat GPT, an app based on artificial intelligence that can write anything you want.? Like making your homework! ?(unfortunately, this invention will come too late for you). Or it can also write a letter to your younger self when having to speak for a group of women in tech, law and policy (I thought if anyone would appreciate me making use of technology, it would be them).

However, an important advice I wish to give to you is to get out of your comfort zone more often. And having this letter drafted by artificial intelligence might just be a bit too comfortable. Like most people, you have a natural urge to stay in your comfort zone and to walk the line. But you’ll have your best moments when you get out of it. Maybe not in the moment itself, but definitely afterwards.

Honestly, sometimes I wonder where I found the guts to leave my well paid job as a lawyer to start my own company in the highly competitive market of cosmetics. With no experience whatsoever in production, sales, marketing, design, logistics… But there is no doubt, I would do it all again. Trust me when I say that some of the most incredible moments in life just lie beyond that boundary of comfort. This is where the magic happens, where new opportunities arise and where you discover strengths you never knew you had.

Stay curious and even a bit na?ve. Never lose your thirst for knowledge and your desire to understand the world around you. This curiosity will drive you to explore new ideas and innovate. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Be confident. Listen to advice, but also to your gut feeling and believe in yourself. You are blessed with the natural confidence of your father and with a mother who kept on telling you “you are great” until you actually started believing it. This might be the greatest gift they ever gave you. Try to do this for others. Try to convince yourself and other women not to be too strict on themselves and focus on the positive. Try to look in the mirror like most men, who see Jean-Claude Van Damme appear when they stretch their muscles. Instead of focusing on a wrinkle, a pimple or some cellulite.

One of your biggest talents is that you are great at solving problems when they come. And not worrying about them beforehand. You might not realize this as it comes so naturally to you, but this is actually a great gift and allows you to focus on the positive. It might also be an indication that being a lawyer is not exactly your career path to follow. You will suck at drafting contracts. But do it anyway if you feel like it. It was a great learning school.

Some final advice: don’t feel pressured to start your career. You are ambitious I know, but a career and a life are long (if you’re lucky). Travel as much as you can, meet many people, have lots of boyfriends but try to end up with your soulmate, taste many tastes and try to figure out what you really want in life. Be kind and cherish the people around you. Have children. They will take the meaning of love to a whole other level.

Enjoy life. It will come with laughter and tears, with opportunities and setbacks. Enjoy the good times and learn from the bad times. I’m excited for you to embark on this journey and wish you all the very best.

With love,

Anke