A letter to my younger self: Be unapologetically you

This letter is a part of Accelerate Action, Tech in Asia’s 2025 International Women’s Day campaign, which ties in with our larger initiative to support women in tech.

Hi Maria,

I see you at your college graduation, dying to step out into the “real world” and make an impact. I’m in awe of your energy, ambitions, and fearlessness.

As I write this from the future, I have good and bad news for you. The good news: You’ll achieve much of what you’ve dreamed of, and then some. The bad news: You’ll realize your big dreams aren’t that important. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 22 / Photo credit: Maria Li

It’s not about the title, the money, or the status. It’s about the smaller moments: waking up with a sleepy baby tucked into you, going on hikes with your husband (spoiler alert: Yep, it’s Pete), laughing on the phone with your mom and sisters, and sipping a cup of hot tea while enjoying a good book.

You’re probably rolling your eyes now. I know, what could be more important than work, achievements, and accolades?! But it is your very energy and ambition that will pave the way to a beautiful life, and I don’t want to diminish it one bit. 

Here’s some guidance for your journey, if I may:

1. Embrace who you are

You will be told your entire life that you’re too loud, too bossy, too much. You will get thrown into a storm of self-doubt after every performance review that discusses how great your accomplishments have been but criticizes your intensity. 

The world will try to make you fit their mold of what an acceptable young woman looks like. 

Ignore the world. 

Be the fullest expression of yourself, run toward your goals, and be wary of people or situations that ask you to be someone else. Seek out individuals and environments that nurture your strengths instead of trying to cut you down to size. 

The world has been telling me I’m too much since Day 1 / Photo credit: Maria’s mom

2. Develop a sense of extreme agency

3. Get your priorities straight