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Dear Younger Self

Hindsight is an asset that is only helpful to your future self once it's been acquired.

By Danielle Elizabeth AndrewsPublished about a year ago Updated about a year ago 4 min read
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Dear Younger Self
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

How many of you remember the writing exercises our teachers had us participate in in middle school English, during which you’d write a letter to your future self? Those were fun exercises, right?

Well, what would you say to your younger self from the perspective you’ve gained thus far? Today? Would you encourage yourself to take the same path that you ultimately took, or would you caution them in another direction?

If I could write a letter to my middle school self this is what I’d say to her:

Dear Younger Self,

Life has been hard, but it’s going to get far more difficult if you don’t heed my advice. You have always dreamed big and worked so hard towards making those dreams for the future come true. Don’t lose that determination! Happily ever afters aren’t as easy to come by as you believe, but with your perseverance, hard work and a healthy smidge of selfishness you will succeed in your dreams.

The most crucial piece of advice that I could possibly give you is this: Stop second guessing yourself! Be confident in who you are! You think that all of your friends have life figured out and that they’re leaps and bounds ahead of you, but they don’t. None of them have anything figured out yet either.

Decide things for yourself and be confident in your choices.

Loyalty, compassion, and kindness are traits that I hope you’ll never lose. Having said that, it’s okay to put yourself first sometimes. Don’t allow others to guilt you out of making the decisions that are best for you. Don’t allow them to keep you from following any of your dreams. If you pursue them you will succeed. If you don’t, it’ll be your downfall. You have to stop putting everyone else’s desires before your own.

There are going to be many people who will let you down throughout your life, relatives included. Believe me when I say that they are not your true family. You will find your family in the coming years. Cherish them because they are the ones who will always have your back.

Do not give so much time and energy to people who couldn’t be bothered to be there for you when you needed them most, or at all. It doesn’t matter how good you treat some people, how loyal you are, they will hurt you, use you, lie to you, and betray you to suit their needs or whims. Do not fight to keep them in your life. Cut ties and don’t look back.

Sometimes bad things happen and there is simply nothing that we can do to avoid them. Just know that not everything happens for a reason. Sometimes there is no known reason why something has happened. Do your best to carry on.

Embrace your inner strength, but don’t allow the world to harden you.

Love can’t and won’t help you overcome any obstacle, it can’t fix any problem you may face. The only lasting, unconditional love that you will ever be able to count on will be between you and your own children, your chosen family, and Memere.

That love, your dedication, strength and perseverance will inevitably be the only constants throughout your life. These will be what gets you through and you must never forget that. Throughout life many people, places, and things will come and go and you should only hold on tightly to those who prove themselves to be worth holding onto. Let all the others fall to the wayside.

Life is temporary, far too fragile and temporary. Believe people the first time they show you who they truly are, and walk away when something doesn’t feel right.

Don’t expect constancy, loyalty, and permanency from anyone but yourself. When others exhibit these traits, cherish them and appreciate them for the rare and exquisite gifts that they are.

Hang onto your sunny disposition and insatiable need to make others who are less fortunate feel better. Always do what you can to help them. Never change that, but know that there will be plenty waiting to take advantage of your generous nature and kindheartedness. So, be cautious and don’t be afraid to say no to those who set off a wary gut instinct.

Never doubt your instincts. EVER.

You mustn’t be afraid to be selfish sometimes because it is the only way that you will ever achieve a semblance of happiness and freedom. If you fail in that you will lose all that you love and all that you’ve worked for.

You will be standing where I am now… and this is not a place that I would wish for you, not in a thousand lifetimes.

Love yourself enough to pursue your dreams. Believe in yourself enough to make them come true.

Love,

Future You

P.S. — Don’t let yourself down!

. . .

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This poem was originally published on Medium:

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About the Creator

Danielle Elizabeth Andrews

An avid reader who also loves writing about all sorts of things (Life, love, family, books, poetry, the world around us).

Follow me on: Twitter and Medium

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