Uzo Aduba’s advice to her younger self is a message we could all stand to hear

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your 18-year-old self?

Wait. Don't answer that. Because Uzo Aduba has just passed down enough wisdom for our past, present and future selves.

In a video for Teen Vogue, posted Thursday, the Orange is the New Black breakout reflects on her journey from 18-year-old triple threat at Boston University to Broadway darling to the heart and soul of Litchfield, the fictional, private-owned women's prison on the expository Orange is the New Black. Aduba then offers unsparing advice to her past self and anyone watching: "Set your bar high." 

"Don't climb down from where your bar is set," Aduba cautions. "Demand the respect, love, care, honor, queendom that you were given and born into this world deserving. Second thing, don't be afraid to love. Love is beautiful thing. Love is a freeing thing, and you should always, always, always dare to open you heart and step into it."

And of heartbreak? "It's going to hurt," Aduba admits. "But I think that's the risk we have to take to reach the side of greatness and that's where love lives. It's going to challenge you and test you ... and even though you felt it, dare to love again."

Aduba then broaches the power of women leaning on women and reminds her younger self that romantic love is not the only love she'll need to navigate this life. "Having a female support next to you and a female strength next to you is going to encourage you to be a better person. It's going to empower and uplift you. It's going to inspire you and it's going to create an aspirational environment for you. That is what women do for women."

In conclusion, Aduba adds, "Always know your worth and stand firm in that. Some people are going to try and challenge that... but you know who are and there's nothing wrong with knowing who you are. It doesn't matter." 

Watch the beautiful message in its entirety here.