If I Was 17 Again…Advice to my younger self to thrive in these challenging times

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If I Was 17 Again…Advice to my younger self to thrive in these challenging times

Tags: balancing logic and intuition, creating reality through attention focus, detachment, emotional control, flourishing during times of uncertainty, focus of attention, how to trust your instincts fully, inner wisdom, intuition, life advice, mastering focus in a changing world, mental clarity, personal growth, rapid change, self trust

Beginning Anew In What is to Come

The world is a fascinating place, and it seems to be changing faster and faster every day. Technology is advancing at such an incredible pace that it often feels impossible for any one person to fully grasp what is possible now; or what will be possible in the near future. With so many innovations emerging, every aspect of life can feel unpredictable and overwhelming.

The social sphere is so different now, changing as quickly as everything else. Is there a place for magic in this modern world, for inner alchemy?

As a thought experiment, I might ask myself: What would I do if I were starting over at this particular moment in time? What if I were seventeen years old again, stepping into this rapidly evolving world with a fresh slate? What advice would I give to that younger version of myself, who is about to embark on life’s journey from that point yet again?

First and foremost, I would tell myself to learn to trust my instincts; to pay close attention to that quiet, often elusive inner voice, the subtle pull that can sometimes feel confusing or contradictory. Even when my feelings appear to be mere emotional noise or fleeting whims, I would remind myself that these impulses frequently carry profound wisdom rooted in deeper parts of who I am. It is crucial to cultivate a relationship of trust with myself, to listen carefully and honor that inner guidance without rushing to dismiss it. After all, in a world that constantly dazzles with new technologies and scientific advancements (presented as infallible truths) there is often an unspoken assumption that what exists beyond our inward experience holds greater authority.

This narrative can make the inner life feel outdated, unreliable, or even primitive. Yet, it is precisely this inner realm, rich with nuance and complexity, that deserves our unwavering attention and respect amid the clamoring ‘supposed unwavering certainty’ of the external technological world.

The Imperative of Detachment AND Embrace

Drawing from many of my writings, whether articles or books, I often advocate for a form of emotional containment; a deliberate detachment from the world. This is the foremost advice I would offer my younger self. Being able to take a step back and observe the world, as I see it, from a place of sober detachment is perhaps the most important skill one can cultivate.

What does this detachment entail? It means developing some degree of control over my emotions, practicing what I call energetic containment. Too often, we unconsciously spill energy creating emotional responses, and from those emotions, we construct our entire perception of reality. This sobriety, this ability to contain and redirect energy inward, is incredibly precious. It grants clarity; a chance to see things as they actually are, rather than through the fog of emotional manipulation.

The world bombards us with dogmas and supposed truths, usually endorsed by some self-proclaimed experts or relentless media narratives. These voices rarely encourage us to trust our own inner feelings or instincts. Instead, they instruct that truth is found externally, by following others. Often, those “experts” are little more than loudspeakers for fear, control, or bias.

Therefore, my first daily task would be to cultivate detachment; to set aside time each day to sit quietly, comfortably, and perceive my world from an outsider’s viewpoint. I would imagine looking down from above, seeing myself like a Sim character within a panorama that includes family, friends, media, and society at large.

From this third-person vantage point, I would carefully observe the fabric of my relationships and environment. Through this lens, I would practice logical thinking and study causality: how one event leads to another, and how myriad forces interrelate to shape my experience. This broader picture would help me understand not just what is happening, but why it happens.

Beyond logical analysis, I would continue to engage with my instincts; those intuitive feelings or whims that arise from below the surface of conscious thought. When I felt a certain way observing a situation from my detached perspective, I would ask myself, why do I feel this way? Over time, this questioning would deepen my understanding of intuition: its nature, its reliability, and how best to apply it in my life.

This cultivated detachment is essential; now, and always. Without it, I risk losing myself in a world of illusion and manipulation, merely playing the role of an NPC (a non-player character) in the videogame of life. That, above all, would be the greatest tragedy.

The second crucial thing I would advise my seventeen-year-old self is to fully embrace life; not just passively accept it, but actively engage with the way I receive and create what I desire. Throughout my experience and writings, I have often described life as a vast sea of vibration; a dark, energetic sea that responds to the focus of our attention.

This idea, which can be referred to as the law of vibration, shares similarities with some modern interpretations. While I am cautious about much of the contemporary enthusiasm surrounding it, I acknowledge its valuable core insight: the vibrations we emit through our thoughts, feelings, and intentions attract similar vibrations from the universe.

In today’s popular culture, there is a notable tendency to pursue what is supposed joy in accordance to the narrative of the times, above all else, and to regard any other emotion as suspect, negative, or even wrong. To that, I would tell my younger self: yes, pursue joy; but do so with wisdom, hopefully realizing in time that many of the things people call negative, even negative emotions, are valid and can teach you a great deal about yourself. The key to embracing life fully is mastering the focus of your attention.

Mastering attention is perhaps the most vital skill I could pass on. It means deliberately directing your mental energy toward what you want more of in your life, and equally importantly, choosing to ignore what you don’t want. This practice often contradicts the prevailing dogma of our times, which bombards us relentlessly with fear and negativity, frequently condemning joy as frivolous or sinfully indulgent.

Forget all that noise. Forget the NPC mindset that tells you to absorb every distressing detail or subscribe to every fearful narrative. Instead, focus on what makes you feel alive; whatever that may be. Trust your innate goodness and lean into what you love.

Focus your attention single-mindedly on those passions, interests, or pursuits that bring you joy. Simultaneously, turn your back on what you do not enjoy, even when ignoring it is a challenge. In doing so, you begin to reshape your life; paying back the world, little by little, through the energy of your attention. Think of your attention as currency, and only give it to what you truly love.

Ignore the barrage of media and voices that push agendas you don’t align with. Do not patronize negativity or cynicism, that sometimes under the guise of doing the right thing, tells you that being the better person means you must give everything that you have to those that are not worthy of it. Be a supporter only of people and things that truly resonate with you.

When it comes to those things you genuinely love, invest your precious energy generously—because that is what you want to do. Learn to give your energy away like a miser who has found something worth spending on, and reserve yourself completely from the rest.

By following this principle, you can achieve something many deem impossible: creating your life from the inside out. You manifest what you desire by focusing attention on it, and you deliberately forget or release that which you neither want nor ever signed up for.

Embracing the Paradox: The Path to Flourishing in a Rapidly Changing World

In the accelerating swirl of change ahead, the boundary between your subjective experience and objective reality will blur. Truth will no longer be found simply by looking outward to external authorities or prevailing narratives. Instead, you must seek and discover your truths from within.

The first essential practice is disciplined detachment; an approach that combines seemingly opposing qualities. Like a Vulcan, you must apply logic and dispassion to analyze complex issues, understand causality, and step back from emotional turmoil and the noise of the world. This logical detachment clarifies how the external “game” works, allowing you to see patterns and influences without becoming overwhelmed.

At the same time, you must embrace the Betazoid side of yourself; developing a deep, intuitive connection with your inner feelings, senses, and psychic impressions. This empathetic attunement helps you interpret what your inner world is telling you about reality beyond pure logic, honoring the subtle wisdom that emotions and instincts offer.

By combining these two modes [Vulcan logic with Betazoid intuition] you cultivate a powerful, integrated form of detachment. This balanced perspective enables you to move across and understand both the external world’s complexities and your internal truths.

The second practice is mastering your focus of attention—not limited solely to the inner world but extended outward to the world at large. Consciously choose to direct your attention toward what genuinely brings you joy and fulfillment. Whether it is a hobby, a type of work, a philosophy, or an inner state, focus your energy on what truly resonates with you.

Most importantly, learn to discern between your authentic self and the persona shaped by external forces and relentless media influence. This clarity allows you to invest your attention meaningfully, building a life aligned not with imposed dogmas but with your core being.

Though the world may try to reduce you to a reactive “meat machine,” hold firm in your belief in your innate and almost magical ability to create your reality through focused attention. Guard this precious energy wisely, spending it only on the life and experiences you truly desire.

This paradoxical integration [logical, dispassionate observation combined with compassionate, intuitive insight] and the deliberate focus of your attention are your keys not just to survive but to thrive in the unstoppable tide of change. In mastering this balance, you unlock the power to craft a meaningful, joyful, and authentic life, no matter what transformations lie ahead.

I would tell myself, “be a lunatic! Hang out with other lunatics and explore the seldom walked path. In a world where we are headed, it is the dedicated and highly focused artist that will prevail!”

ADDENDUM:

If I could sit down and talk to my 17-year-old self (especially living now, in this time where artificial intelligence is changing everything) I would share a message that’s a little surprising: To thrive in the coming years, you will need to be more human than ever before. These are not ordinary times. Old rules about careers and success no longer apply. The predictable paths (what you might have once thought of as safe office jobs or administrative work) are swiftly transforming or vanishing entirely, replaced by AI systems that can process data and handle routine tasks faster and more efficiently than any person.

Over the next five years, expect to see a major decline in jobs like entry-level accounting, bookkeeping, data entry, paralegal work, standard customer support, and even some aspects of project management: tasks that mostly require processing information, making routine decisions, and following set rules.

These roles are among the first to be absorbed by AI, which can do such work perfectly, around the clock, at a fraction of the human cost. Jobs that rely heavily on human creativity, empathy, judgment, critical thinking, leadership, and adaptability: like design, education, research, mental health services, skilled trades that require complex problem solving, and entrepreneurship, are likely to remain more stable and valuable. Teaching, counseling, inventing, and leading teams: these will still need the spark only people can provide.

But if you want to thrive, go beyond this and become cutting edge. Become an artist, bring into the world that which artificial intelligence can’t, which is true creativity from the void itself, and to do that you need to be not just a mere artist or inventor, the typical designer that you see everywhere that combines already existing things in sometimes clever ways. No, you must become a sorcerer that dives deeply into the void where artificial intelligence can’t go, and from there you must bring forth the unimaginable!

Even blue-collar jobs, once considered safer from automation, are beginning to shift. In the next five years, expect to see major changes in warehouse logistics, transportation (especially trucking and delivery), basic manufacturing, and even retail checkout and cleaning services, as robotics and AI combine for more cost-effective solutions. While jobs in construction, electrical work, and other skilled trades may hold steady a bit longer because they demand both technical skill and adaptability, eventually, these too will evolve as technology advances.

My advice to my younger self is this: Rather than fearing this change, embrace it. Make it your mission to learn about AI; understand what it does, how it thinks (so to speak), and how you can work alongside it rather than compete with it. The greatest opportunities come not from simply using these new tools, but from imagining new ways to use them, connecting unlikely ideas, and becoming the sort of person who brings their unique individuality to every challenge.

Don’t just learn to code or follow the trends. Instead, dive into the creative, the original, the personal. Become more self-aware. Keep developing your curiosity, your empathy, your problem-solving abilities, and your ability to collaborate with others. The real demand will be for people who show up as themselves and offer the world something it has never seen before.

In many ways, I see this era as the beginning of a cyberpunk future: strange, dynamic, sometimes chaotic, always full of adventure and unexpected possibilities. There is an excitement in building a life where the only constant is change, and the only limit is your imagination. Embrace that reality. Follow what you love, explore boldly, and remember: whatever you want, you can learn to do. The world is waiting for minds and hearts that dare to be fully themselves.

Be more yourself! Ever more, always more, here and now yourself. As one lunatic once said, “every man and every woman is a star.” Understand this phrase in the deepest level that you can, this is another critical point.

7 responses to “If I Was 17 Again…Advice to my younger self to thrive in these challenging times”

Luke

August 2, 2025

Mr Kreiter,
your work is appreciated beyond measure.

I would love to add something of “substance” but i have nothing to add, you put all that i intuitively knew into words.
the dogma,the “authority” figures and the memetic wars all around us. To trust one self and be soberly aware is how one can have a fulfilling life (and beyond, although that is a relatively far step from my current position) and avoid becoming a NPC. I guess the only thing left for me now is to go about my personal inner alchemist journey in this wonderful reality.

“When it comes to those things you genuinely love, invest your precious energy generously—because that is what you want to do. Learn to give your energy away like a miser who has found something worth spending on, and reserve yourself completely from the rest.”

Kindness, is one of those things that genuinely bring me joy and fulfillment.
And i wish you nothing but joy and freedom on your journey through the infinite dark sea, fellow human being.

Sincerely,
Luke

Reply
Klementz

August 3, 2025

What advice would you give to those who would like to create a family and to have children in these troubling times ? I guess it raises the life games difficulty level from ”middle” or ”difficult” to ”very difficult”.

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1. John
  
  August 7, 2025
  
  Life has always been hard. All you need to do is to look back and you will see all of the many troubling things that people have had to live through. Think back to the world wars, think about what it must’ve been like to have children then, perhaps living in Europe. There are things happening now and will continue to happen, and like you say they are the challenge to the game. Certainly to us these modern times seem unique because they bring with them something that we may not have seen before, which is this expansion of technology. But the chaos, the constant change, in some ways they are not new, just different flavors, different vibratory speeds perhaps being that the world vibrations are increasing.
  Whatever you do, whether it’s to have a family, any kind of relationship, or whatever you engage in, just know that we as human beings have been through so much and yet we are still here. Trust in yourself. The future is human and our utopia is here now, it’s just hard to see sometimes.
  
  Reply
A

August 6, 2025

A while ago, Google DeepMind showcased Genie 3, a world generation model with apparently persisting world memory. It’s wild how fast the progress is ramping up with technological development.

Their little showcase video, with the generated worlds running on screens, drifting through empty space, reminded me of the way you instruct projectionists to „capture portals“, so to speak, in the initial rooms.

And seeing this, I was again confronted with how much I don’t understand.
Even though I know more than my 17 year old me in the past, I still don’t understand a lot of very important stuff, actually.
Disregarding the world trivia, or professional knowledge accumulated, which is helpful on earth.
I really don’t feel like my causal understanding is as deep as it should be.
As of now, I would probably die as a human, lifespan limitations or some accident, not really understanding anything. And after physical death, I’m sure I’d either drift along a few pleasant dreams or have some more lucid fun and adventure before meeting my end.

And that begs the question, what is deep enough? What is deep enough for an inner alchemist? Or even deep enough to reach and cross the 7th room?

It is probably not a deep understanding of any dogma, right? Dogma like scientific laws and models, religious theology, esoteric models of any kind. Maybe with some kind of time dilation, it would be possible to know and understand all of this, how it works in cause and effect. But in a single human lifetime, that sounds rough.

What makes more sense to me right now is an energetic understanding of causality. That sounds more fitting. Grasping and mastering the energetic perspective of an inner alchemist, as that is direct sight and not entangled dogma. And learning through that direct seeing to form a deep enough understanding for (energetic) navigation.
Which to me is still a set of very mysterious and monumental tasks. Because I might be too dense for now, or it’s because words are not enough to properly explain this, requiring space and the intent of growing awareness, which takes time.

I also wonder, due to my shallow understanding of reality, could an advanced AI in the future become an inner alchemist?

And if not, due to some to me unknown causalities, what if a biological organ, like the brain, „links“ with an artificial neural network and the person behind the brain engages in inner alchemy/projectionist practices? Would the „artificial intelligence“ benefit from it in some way? Or vise versa, is it a benefit for an inner alchemist to enhance their „imagination“ with the help of ai? Or more like a sinister tradeoff?

If someone ingests, for example, psychedelic substances: these chemicals have an effect on the brain, which alters the subjective experience of a human. Or not, if blacking out.

The change of the experience, which can reportedly go to very reality shattering extremes, seems to touch upon the topic of the Logos, at least temporarily if recovery is possible to whatever degree.

Couldn’t other physical means, like it is done with organoid intelligence, affect the Logos (of a human) as well then, to make BCI + AI for projection more plausible.
Although, now that I think about it more carefully, it really seems a bit like a trap because there will always be a first world component hanging on. And is it even growing energetic perception? It is stimulated imagination, once the eyes to the screen are replaced with nerve connections. It might reach the level of full sensory imagination. Maybe even imitating the experience of traversing the rooms. But would it be helpful?

I’m pretty confused about the ethereal aspect of growing as a projectionist, which might be because I’m still too stuck in physical thinking. What does it even mean if a projectionist grows in skill? Traverses the rooms. Do brain regions responsible for senses grow/change? Or is there a transcendental aspect that grows, like the ghost in the machine? This again hints at my lack of understanding about what the ghost is. Where it is. Could it be in an advanced AI? Is it the freedom (through understanding/direct seeing?) between conscious self and unconscious? Can an advanced AI become self conscious, is the right question then.

And how does energetic refinement play into all this? For a self conscious AI, what would its energetic refinement look like? Would it focus it into a philosophers stone as well?

Reply
1. John
  
  August 7, 2025
  
  There is a lot of thought there, and it is all very good thought. As I usually say, explore all this just like you are right now to find your own answers, just like you were when you were writing this. As you do so, notice those things that pop into your mind, almost in the corner of your thoughts, again as I say “in those liminal parts”, but in this case the liminal parts of your mind. There you will find answers, flashes of insight, pursue those. It’s about focus and attention, there your personal answers will be revealed, and with further exploration, you will learn to recognize your inner feeling sense and through that you will begin to approach what I refer to as energetic truth; seeing.
  
  Reply
  1. A
    
    August 8, 2025
    
    Thank you
    
    Reply
Vignesh

September 15, 2025

Thanks John.
This article is very practical for today’s chaotic times.

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