YouTube’s #DearMe Campaign Urges Women to Share Advice to Their Younger Selves

— -- To celebrate International Women’s Day, YouTube has launched a campaign urging women to share advice they would give to their younger selves.

The effort is meant to inspire and empower young girls everywhere who may be struggling with similar issues, and YouTube is soliciting participation in the form of GIFs to be shared under the hashtag #DearMe.

On its dedicated web page, the effort makes this appeal: “Teenagers everywhere know that growing up is tough. But what advice and wisdom would you share with your younger self? You can’t send this GIF back in time, but you can share it with your friends and the world. It all starts with two words. Dear me.”

A video describing the campaign features appearances by popular faces, including actresses Felicia Day and Issa Rae and YouTube stars Lily Singh, Bunny Meyer and Michelle Pham.

Their “Dear Me” messages to their younger selves cover a range of problems, including body insecurity, grades, bullying, relationships and feeling like an outcast.

Their advice: Don’t follow the crowd. Don’t worry so much about not being liked by certain people. Stop trying so hard to be someone you’re not. Embrace your unique qualities. You are good enough.

The “Good Morning America” anchors all loved the video so much they decided to partake as well, giving advice to their younger selves.

Robin:

I would look at my younger self and say, “Dear me, relax. Relax and enjoy each moment more. No need to be in a rush. All goes by so quickly, and don’t worry so much about what other people think or say about you because what other people say; it’s none of your business. You may not know it now but you are stronger, you are going to weather storms that come your way: Katrina, Mom and Dad passing, your health. And I would just say to myself, you are stronger than you think you are. And I would also give myself these words of encouragement that I say to myself now: When fear knocks, let faith answer the door. That’s what I would say to me.

George:

Ninety-nine percent of the things you’re worried about don’t matter. Don’t stress it, let it go. Be patient, and it’s worth the wait.

Lara:

Dear me. Be patient. Stop worrying about tomorrow and what you’re trying to get to. Live in the moment and be there and appreciate it and actually learn from the experiences. I think all of us as young people starting out in the workplace are so worried about the destination that we’re not enjoying the journey.

Ginger:

Dear me. It doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t matter. Everything I was worried about so, so much right there -- college, I think this is my senior year of high school, and every day is going to bring some new challenge, and you’re going to forget about what’s going on right now. You’re going to forget about the challenges that you have. It seems so big, but it’s not. And also eat, eating is good.

Amy:

Save the environment. Put down the hairspray. That’s the first thing I would say to myself. And I would just say enjoy the ride. Slow down. You don’t have to do everything perfectly and quickly. And you can make mistakes and enjoy your mistakes because that’s the only way you grow, and you’re going to make a lot of them, honey, so stop beating yourself up. I’ve come to realize there really is no such thing as a mistake. And I really believe that.

The #DearMe video was posted on March 3 and has been viewed more than 1.5 million times. Many tweeting their own uplifting advice.

Wrote one poster: “Don't be afraid to take a risk or a leap of faith because it will pay off in the end.”

Added another: “So glad I moved from the negative, because so many opportunities are here NOW.”

And another wrote: “#DearMe FOCUS. Best days are coming.”