Girls Can Dream: Advise for Young Women (and my younger self)

When I was asked to write for Girls with Dreams, I was a bit overwhelmed. I wondered for several days what I could say. I took time to consider the dreams I had had, and the life I have lead. The lessons I learned, the achievements and most of all, the failures and of growing up and working in Canada. I thought about what I would say, if I could, to my much younger self.

The primary message is to trust yourself first. You know your heart, your intentions, what you have studied, what you have yet to learn and most importantly, what you have experienced of the world. Trust yourself before trusting others. It will aid you in deciding what others you can trust.

Then, it would be to hold onto your dreams as well as dream big. Dream bigger than you think you can accomplish. We are all our own obstacle, women too often play small or wait for permission. There are enough barriers in the world without blocking our own self. Find other women who share your dreams or parts of and work together to accomplish them.

Read everything – even topics you do not have interest in and viewpoints opposed to your own. This is not to change your view, but to broaden your own knowledge, be aware of what views are out there, how to counter and challenge them, deepen your understanding, defend your views and gain a nuanced understanding of humanity. Whatever you learn is not wasted, and can often be surprisingly relevant to endeavors.

I do not say the world because planet earth is far more than only humans. Earth is a biosphere on a rock in space. Other life is certainly out there, and there are many kinds of life here.

If you can, travel. See the world, experience other cultures – each one is an experiment in human expression and ways of being.

Ask questions, challenge authority but keep yourself safe so you are able to keep holding those in power to account for the results and outcome of said powers.

While you are undertaking education and work, find older women as mentors. When you can, support younger women and be a mentor.

It is okay to be discouraged and even stop for a while. But just take that time to regroup. Do not underestimate boredom or even despair. After a time, dust yourself off, take stock, change tactics or direction and continue.

Each of us has one life, one body to live it in. Make the most of your time and efforts.

One of my biggest regrets is not learning more languages. This helps understanding one's own so much more, but also learning more ways to express and understand others.

I set out wanting to make movies, and like in a movie, learned there was more meaningful things to achieve that had real world impact. Setting goals that are for more than yourself, enriches you and expands you in the world.

Thank you for this opportunity .

Nina Tryggvason grew up and worked in Canada in many sectors, including retail, nonprofits, a small law firm and in 7 federal government departments.