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Letter to my younger self

Dear Younger Me,

You’ve spent a lifetime learning to read people- use those skills. See people for who they are. You will be shown in little, seemingly insignificant moments. The way one person treats another who’s at their lowest point shows their true character- pay attention to this. Even if it isn’t now, at some point it may be you on the receiving end… will they lift you up, or break you down?

Be aware of how you treat others- how you treat someone at their lowest moment says everything about your own character, too. Talking shit says more about you than it does them, so be kind.


You were born an ORIGINAL. Why the hell would you want to die a copy?

Seek Love. Stop trying to be the lone wolf. Find your people and hang on tight; this will be your tribe. That person who shows up for you without expectation of something in return? Show up for them too, also without expectation. Find those people you can reconnect with even after long stretches apart. They may be few and far between, but they will provide you with the relationship backbone for the rest of your life.

Don’t be afraid of superficial friendships based on circumstance. Each person who comes into your life has something to offer that will help you grow into your future self, just as you have something to offer them in return. Just don’t put more weight on the relationship than it was meant to bear, and let them go when it’s their time.

Take care of your body. It sounds cliché, but you really do only get the one. That means sleep. Seriously, your mantra of “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” is fucking. you. up.

Don’t take the meds. They may be great for some people, but for you, they start a downward toilet spiral of diminishing health and wellness. If there is a strange reaction or rare side effect, it will manifest for you- Find another way!

Don’t be afraid of adventure- say “yes!” It isn’t necessary to try to control everything in your life. Adventures include, but are not limited to: world travel, weekend getaways, day trips, following your passion for baking, taking opportunities even when you’re not sure how they’ll pan out, and generally getting outside your comfort zone.

Spend more time outside in nature. You live where people vacation- don’t take that for granted!

Meditate. I know you do, but do more. Turn it into a practice, a ritual you can turn to when all else fails. 

Read.

Drink more tea, and less coffee.

Be honest with yourself about what you want and where you’re going. Don’t let distractions, no matter how tempting, pull you away from your course.

Face your traumas. They have made you strong. Because of them, you are wise beyond your years. Your traumas will shape you more than you realize, so take control of that narrative and use your trials and challenges to move yourself forward. Always forward. 

Good enough isn’t good enough. But you have to start with getting it done.

Don’t hold yourself in check because of power and authority. It is okay to question- how else will you create forward momentum?


And if you learn nothing else, learn this: It’s okay not to be okay. And in the end, everything will be just fine anyway. 

Love,
Older Me

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