Dear Me,
Lately, our world’s been going through a lot. As I’ve been inside, mostly in solitude, I’ve done a lot of reflecting, and I’ve realized all of the little things I have taken for granted. So, if you’re reading this and you're able to be around others and roam freely, don’t forget when you couldn’t…
I hope that you’ve made friends with the reflection staring back at you. I hope that you’ve learned to be kind to yourself and have some compassion for where you are at this point in life. Most of all, I hope that you’ve learned to stop thinking, and release all of your thoughts. I hope you’ve learned to live in the moment, even just for a minute.
A minute, so easily taken for granted. You see, you tend to think that tomorrow is promised but in reality, nobody owes you another breath. Nor does anybody owe another smile, another laugh, another step. You aren’t promised anything but this exact moment in time. And by all means, please, take advantage of that moment. Spend it working towards your goals, spending time with those you love, and learning what impact you want to make. Work towards the future, and stop dwelling on the past. You are so much more than one memory.
Memories, I hope that you’ve made plenty. I hope that you’ve met some great people and left all the toxic ones. You tend to gravitate towards people who alter the way that you act, and I hope that you’ve learned to be authentically yourself. Along with that, I hope that you’ve stopped caring about people's irrelevant opinions about you. I hope that you’ve stopped longing for others' approval of who you are. I hope that you finally approve of yourself and accept all of your flaws and quirks. I know that this all seems so unrealistic, especially now. But maybe, me in the future, you have realized that these goals and hopes are in reach, and that they are possible.
I genuinely want you to figure out what you care about and who you are as a person. To do this you need to stop being so afraid of speaking up for what you believe in. Stop being so scared to show what you care about. Stop being scared to show your creative expression, whether it be art, writing, or anything else.
This one hits home right now: stop being scared to show your face. Whether this is taken literally, how it's intended, or metaphorically. You’ve always been a shy girl, scared of social interaction because of others' judgment.
Stop being so ashamed of who you are because I promise that you have absolutely no reason to be. You were created to be who you are now and then. Never was there a mistake, just a lesson, a “happy accident.” -Bob Ross
You tend to look at your mistakes like defining moments. But in reality, those mistakes are the same ones that led you to who you are today. And right now, you are so very far from perfect. I hate to break it to you, but nobody is, and you will never be. That’s 100% okay… but if I know myself the slightest, I’ll still be discouraged by “remember that one time you…”
At the end of the day, you’re a glass-half-empty type of person, always so negative. The type that only sees what’s gone wrong. Because of this, you don’t realize how much you’ve accomplished until it’s recognized, specifically by others. I hope that you’ve learned to appreciate yourself before being handed a medal for it. Because in the end, the trials and errors, tears, and sweat, are your prizes. Those are the signs that you’re getting somewhere and you’re trying. You’re pushing yourself, not staying stagnant. So push yourself, remove yourself from your comfort space. That is how you will improve.
Improve, just try. My biggest aspiration for myself is just to be a good human, one who really lives and is truly themselves. One who looks their fears in the eyes and doesn’t give them a second thought. The type of person who lives by their core values and beliefs. The type of person that you want your little brother to look up to.
I can start this today, and I’ll share this piece with those I love. Participate more in class. Give myself breaks and moments alone to do absolutely nothing. Ultimately, breathe through the stress and keep working towards my goals.
I hope that me in the future will smile at this letter and remember how far I’ve come.
—You from the past
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