Chloe Wang's Letter To My Younger Self

Dear twenty-three-year-old me,

I am writing to you, who has just stepped out of campus and embarked on your professional journey. Having shed the innocence of student life, you are now facing the real adult world with pure sincerity and slight unease. Diligent, cautious, and earnest, you fear making mistakes, disappointing your team, or proving inadequate. You overthink every trivial error and every casual comment from others, constantly pushing yourself to pursue perfection and silently falling into self-doubt and overconsumption.

I want to embrace this hardworking and sensitive version of you. Please understand that clumsiness and inexperience are inevitable for every newcomer. No one enters the workplace with natural poise. Every composed and sophisticated professional was once as flustered and unfamiliar as you are now. Never judge your fledgling self by the standards of seniors, nor deny your value because of temporary awkwardness. Your steadfast diligence, sense of responsibility, and genuine heart are already your most precious strengths.

Learn an essential lesson early in life: work sustains your life, but it never defines your entire life or self-worth. You once firmly believed that every effort would be equally rewarded, and every sincere gesture would be warmly reciprocated. As you grow, you will gradually realize that the workplace is never entirely fair. You will encounter unnecessary conflicts, unspoken grievances, misplaced responsibilities, and unappreciated dedication. There will be moments of misunderstanding, pressure, and helplessness that no one witnesses. Still, hold fast to your boundaries and principles. Strive to grow rapidly but never burn out your body and mind. Take initiative and undertake duties but never cater to others blindly or take on endless extra work out of kindness. Stay gentle and sincere yet keep your sharpness and bottom line. Learn to refuse unreasonable demands, release unnecessary burdens, and stop exhausting yourself for external recognition.

Do not be trapped by anxiety and comparison. Life is never a short sprint, but a long marathon with unique timelines for everyone. Some thrive early, while others flourish through steady accumulation. Every late night you endure, every skill you master, and every difficulty you overcome will never go to waste. These experiences will eventually turn into your composure, resilience, and unshakable confidence in the future.

You are far braver than you think at 23. For the first time, you earn independent income, take real social responsibilities, and navigate complex interpersonal rules without the protection of parents, teachers, and classmates. You grow steadily through exploration and setbacks, gradually transforming into a reliable and independent adult. Never underestimate the value of rooting silently. Growth hidden in persistence is always the prelude to future brilliance.

Please remember to cherish and take good care of yourself. Stop exhausting yourself with endless overtime and late nights. Do not hide all your frustration and sadness deep inside. Never let work occupy your entire youth. Reserve time for rest, hobbies, and the beauty of life. Release negative emotions in time and prioritize your health, for it is the foundation of all your pursuits.

The road ahead will have twists and turns. You will feel lost, depressed, and exhausted, but always keep your integrity, kindness, and passion. True maturity is retaining sincerity even after seeing the complexity of the world.

Thank you, my twenty-three-year-old self. Thank you for staying dedicated amid trivial work, preserving your original heart amid worldly complexity, and moving forward steadily even in confusion. All your perseverance and effort will eventually pay off. All the hardships you endure now will turn into calmness and strength in the years to come.

May you walk through life steadily and peacefully, hold fast to your original aspiration, stand firm through storms, live gentle yet powerful, sober yet free, and finally become the person you have always longed to be.

From your future self, calm, certain and grateful.

Chloe Wang's Bio:

Chloe WANG is the Head of Life & Health for APAC at SCOR, overseeing eight markets –Mainland China, Hong Kong (China), Taiwan (China) and Southeast Asia, India, Japan, Korea, and Australia/New Zealand (ANZ). Additionally, she also serves as the CEO of SCOR SE Beijing Branch.

As a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, Chloe brings over 26 years of diverse experience in consulting, direct life insurance and reinsurance, both in China and internationally. She has gained deep understanding in pension, traditional life insurance and health insurance markets and products over the years.

Since joining SCOR China in 2010 as the second employee in the SCOR L&H team in China, she has built a proficient Life & Health Insurance business team that encompasses a broad range of functions, including marketing, pricing, actuarial and UW/Claim team. Chloe is a frequent speaker in industry events and sits on multiple professional boards.

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