I was writing my 19 year old self a letter and decided to put out a twitter message in hopes someone would want to write one and share it with me… It’s always so cathartic being reminded how similar we are. Here’s a few of the wonderful letters I received.. Thanks so much for passing along. You added so much light to my day.
My letter is at the bottom.
Enjoy.. x
Dear Young Self,
Enjoy your young years as much as you can because you’ll never get them back. They can seriously be the best years of your life.
Pay more attention and be grateful to the ones who truly love you – family and friends, but be careful of who you listen and become friends with. People will try to trick you into believing what they say but listen to your heart. You have to learn that mistakes are okay as long as you learn from them. Above all, always be honest.
Forge your own path, follow your muse even if it don’t seem practical to others. Your life is great, so it’s a good time to prepare for the future. Study hard, but don’t make it your life. Always take care of your health and exercise more.
Be more self-confident by accepting who you are, and always be yourself. What other people think of you isn’t nearly as important as what you think of yourself. Don’t look for a role model to imitate. Look for your inner self and you’ll find a person who may be forgotten, but who lives in you. Look for Christ.
Love,
You.
I would tell my future self that it’s okay, I’m going to get cancer, take more pictures, and live for the minute, and love yourself.
Stop worrying about when your life will begin. You’re not a spectator in the world, you need to stop idly standing by. You are meant to interact and bond with the strangers of the world. That is what life is about. You’re scared of getting hurt. You have no idea how strong you are or how the pain only makes you stronger. I know you’ve been rejected and it feels like nothing else matters. Rejection says more about the person doing the rejection than it does about you. Don’t waste your time worrying about what other people think. YOUR opinions define you. Being a chameleon and absorbing other people’s views will never let you stand out. Connect. Connect with others. Thats the promise of this world… That you will meet people who will shake up your world, break your heart, and maybe even change you forever. Don’t wait to fall in love, but Always make it count. If you aren’t in it all the way don’t waste his time. But if you are… Be honest. Don’t let your fear speak for you. Fear will only make your tongue sharp and cruel. You won’t be able to take words back no matter how hard you try. Make your words count but don’t use them to harm others. No matter how much you hurt at the time. Forgive your family for the flaws they’ve exhibited in the years past and the years to come. They’re the people you really “belong” to. The people who will always gather together when tragedy hits home. Also, Don’t worry about your stupid loud laugh. It’s awesome.
Stop worrying about when your life will begin. It already has.
Look at you go, buddy!
You’ve pulled through a lot and you’re reaching your goals.
But I have some advice for you, the time you spend worrying about what people think about you is time wasted. You are not going to please everybody even if you try with all your might. What’s important is that you don’t give up on what’s important to you and you don’t doubt yourself for one second!
There may be people who don’t like like your music, they may not like your clothes, style, personality, but if it’s important to you and you love each and every one of those things, then that’s the most important thing.
Please, don’t be ashamed of yourself, stop worrying about how people perceive you and just, be!
Love yourself more, you are a talented young man and you have people who DO support you.
Don’t be in such a rush to grow up, have fun!
Your friend,
Curtis
When the chance presents itself take it. It doesn’t matter what it is, just go for it. Life is made up of experiences, so don’t waste them. Make them as interesting as you can When you get the chance to go sky diving, travel Australia, and go surfing just do it don’t even hmmm and ha about it.
Switching majors in Uni was for the best, kids are great but being a teacher isn’t your dream. Start learning Russian and how to read Chinese, it will make the decision to do a masters much easier. At the moment you’re fumbling a little bit deciding if you should or not, but life is still moving on and you have a sweet job at the moment.
You’ll still be confused about what you want to do for the rest of your life, but embrace everything you do. Living in a trailer without heat or water for a month isn’t the worst thing in the world. It will help build character and make you happy to be Canadian. Sleeping with a touque and bunny hug on but denying being cold while it snows outside, well it makes for a good story.
You’ll meet all sorts of people: good and bad, but embrace it. Don’t let people get you down. They’re just there to make you stronger.
Most of all always go for what makes you happy. Visit with your grandmothers more and spoil them as much as you can. Tell your family you love them and keep in touch with your friends. You will be separated by a vast expanse, so enjoy each others company while you can. You’ll miss walking to 7eleven like penguins and laughing til you fall down crying.
“Keep your head up and your shoes tied cause it’s just about time to run.” – chad parenteau
Love,
Future You
You don’t know it yet, but you have a learning disability. Yes, you’ve managed to grow up without it being diagnosed. And yet, it will be another 5 years before it is recognized. So, this undiagnosed “disorder” will play a major role in manifesting the obstacles of your early 20s: repeatedly failing college courses, believing you are stupid and lazy, and ultimately becoming depressed.
But believe me: You’re not stupid or lazy, or unmotivated. You’re just not yet aware that your brain functions differently from others. You’re unique. So forget about doing things ‘the right way.’ Figure out what ‘your way’ is, and do it. It doesn’t matter where you “should be”–appreciate where you are and accept that all the failures you’re experiencing and will experience are blessings in disguise. Because if you take away every expectation of where you should be, oughta be, could be, you’re not a loser at all. And these experiences will guide you later when you revisit them.
It will be another year after your ADHD diagnosis that you will be frustrated with your “lack of progress” or “return to normalcy.” You will have forgotten already: you’re a unique person. Your brain functions differently from others. It will never be normal, and for certain, it thinks of the strangest, most interesting and random things. Remember that. Celebrate the creativity that comes with it and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with being aware of all your idiosyncrasies.
Be kind to yourself. Forgive all your mistakes. Know that you’re a good person. And get enough sleep.
Love,
2012 Valerie
Hi Cloé,
You don’t know me yet but someday, in 5 years, you will. I’m you. Well, most specifically future 19 year-old you. And I have so much to say that I don’t know where to start.
You’re a little bit lost, uh? I know you, don’t lie to me. You pretend like you know where you’re going but you have absolutely no idea what you want to do with your life, and it scares you.
Well I have some good and some bad news for you: even at my age, you still don’t know. But the good news is that you’ll have done some awesome things and regret none of them.
That’s right, your life during the next 5 years is going to be awesome.
Ok, maybe not really. Actually the first 3 years are going to be a little bit rough, what with graduating from high school at 16 and getting totally lost in university because these people are no way like you. But you know what? The next two years are so worth it.
You’re probably reading this letter from your bedroom in the South of France, with IS music blasting out of your stereo system. Mom and Dad are getting divorced, and it’s very painful; I guess you’ve discovered Instant Star just a few months ago, and it’s really helping in the process. Jude’s parent’s divorce makes you feel like you’re understood and not alone in this, even if you won’t admit it. And you’re already becoming a big fan of Alexz, right? Don’t worry, that doesn’t go away either. I’m actually writing to you on an idea of her!
I can imagine you from here, wearing black jeans and dark clothes, and some leather black Converses. You love colors and dresses, but never dare to wear them (except for your socks right? I remember only wearing colorful socks.) Your hair is tied into a tight ponytail. Me? Well… I just got out of work, so I’m still in my business clothes: classy black dress, high-heels, soft make-up… But on lazy days, I’m more of a colorful dresses person now.
But let’s get back to business…
First year of college is hard because you’ll still be very shy, too shy really. When Mom will propose you to get help for it, do it. It’ll be an excellent decision. (I guess now I’m the kind of girl you want to become someday. Be confident knowing that!)
At the university, you’ll meet this incredible girl who will help you in the process of getting less shy and facing your social anxiety. She’ll become one of your best friends, and you’ll move to Chile together, for 5 months. (That’s right, Chile! Awesome right?) There, you’ll get to travel all across South America with just your backpack, your friend and a crappy map, and you’ll do things I know you don’t even dream of doing right now: climb a volcano, bath in geyser water by -10°C, walk in the Uyuni salt desert, learn Tango in some hidden place in Argentina… It’ll be awesome. You’ll also live in a big house with 11 roommates, from different countries, who will become your second family; I’m still very close to some of them now. Please, don’t fight it when your friend proposes you to move there. I know it will be a hard choice for you to make, but it will be an excellent one and you’ll never, ever regret it. Really.
Oh, and by the way, I didn’t tell you from where I’m writing to you right? I’m in Chicago right now, for the next 5 months. “On a plane I’m leaving for Chicago…” Oh sorry, forgot that you don’t know that song yet. It’s an Alexz’s one! Not to spoil you or anything, but it’s an awesome song which will actually inspire you to go where I am now.
It’s awesome because nobody knows me here, so I get to be whoever I want to be; I know that’s what you’ve always wanted.
Don’t worry too much about falling in love already. It will come when it does. Even now, I’m still trying to find myself so I just decided to let it go and enjoy my life. Do the same, and don’t let peer pressure force you into dating people when you don’t really like them. There are so many things out there to do and live, you don’t even imagine.
But never forget to love people, and to love your family and your friends. Your family is amazing, you already know that. But you’ll come to know during the next 4 years how amazing and how strong they are. Love them. Show them. Share the love with everybody.
Just go live your life, and be awesome. Because if today I’m proud of the roads I’ve taken it’s because I know you’ll make the right decisions. Don’t be scared of the future.
Be confident.
And most of all, be yourself.
I love you,
Your Future You
Hey Alexz,
Stop the negative mind talk. You are way too hard on yourself… what’s the point of any of this if it isn’t fun?
What do you love the most? Why do you love it? So, is it worth it?
Stop taking so many other people’s stuff on.. even though you come from the middle of a huge family, you’re not responsible for each and every one of them.. you need to save some stuff for you!
Stop being so hard on people you love in your life as well.. even though it’s because you want the best for them – it hurts them more than helps them..
Call Grandma and tell her you love her before you lose her.
Eat a sandwich for crying out loud.
Keep surrounding yourself with like minds.. you are who you hang out with.. trust your taste in character.
Remember to focus on the little things…the little amazing gifts that are all around you.
Do the music you want to do, regardless of the struggle. Keep your eye on the ball.
That time you think your heart is going to explode in pain….. it’s a good thing!! Trust it.. learn from it.
Trust ME.
Allow your face to turn red if it chooses, always. It’s endearing, not weak.
Take a deep breath and be careful with your words – they’re all we have.
Dance more.
Love your 25 year old self.
Deep thoughts at 19…
Reblogged this on jbcultureshock and commented:
I found this post and really loved all the responses she got as well as her own letter. It’s so interesting to look at people’s letters (or your old writings) and see just how far you’ve come and what you have worried about for nothing. It reminds you to relax and just go with it. :)
I’ll be updating my website blog with why I’ve been quiet today and fill you in on what’s to come. So excited to share!
Til later….
Dear 19year-old Valentina,
I’m gonna meet/be you in a year, but even though it seems a long time I actually think it’s gonna pass in a blink.
Well, at 18 you haven’t yet done all those crazy little things which are supposed to be done before you turn of age, so you’re gonna start doing them. Or at least you’ll try.
Looking back, I hope you’ll appreciate how much you’ve changed in just a year.
You’ll be graduated, and probably studying at university some subjet you picked up at the last moment.
I really hope you finally got yourself a boyfriend (he’d better be cute, or I won’t forgive you ;) )
Oh, and don’t lose those few friends you have. They might not the best in the whole world, but they have not thrown you away like someone else did, so keep them close.
What else?
Well, see you in a year and couple of weeks.
Never forget to love yourself, that’s the very only thing you can’t afford to lose.
*love,love,love
Reblogged this on the WORLD according to CURTIS and commented:
Thanks, Alexz for using my “letter”. Amzing stuff!
Dear 19 year old me,
Yes, your mom’s funeral was 3 days ago and you just turned 19. So far, this is the saddest birthday of your life. BUT, from this you will learn that you are actually a lot more like your mother than you thought. You will also discover that the ‘best friends’ you had when you were younger aren’t anymore. Some just become good friends and one becomes the girl you wish you never met but that’s okay because you will make some really, really great friends who make you laugh so hard that your face and abs hurt.
2 months after mom dies, dad will find someone else. Don’t cry so much. It’s for the best. Otherwise, his liver will expire from all the drinking and clubbing… She’s actually really great to you, your lil brother and your grandma. Also, stop being such a stick in the mud, clubbing/dancing with friends is actually really fun! You’ll understand why mom and dad went all the time when they were our age.
Your boyfriend seems like he is the one despite him being mean and yelling at you for little things like asking for the time. You’ll learn and grow a lot together but at one point, before you turn 23, after over 5 years together, you two won’t be together anymore but that’s okay. You’ll be happier and hopefully, one day, he will be too. You’ll discover that there is someone else who has liked you for years but never said anything because you had a boyfriend and he’ll treat you very well. He will never scream at you in front of your friends and most importantly, was a really good friend throughout the years.
Work hard. Spend less. Be happy & healthy.
Love,
You
To the last letter, yes please call your Grandma before you loose her. I wish I had a video tape of my grandmother. One of those things you never get around too until it is too late. Have her tell you stories about her childhood, her forgotten dreams and lost loves. She was once a young girl like you….deep in thought! ;)
I’m 25 and going through a rough moment in my life… And I’m crying because I can see a little bit of myself in every single one of these letters. Thank you for posting them.
*hugs*
*hugs* It’ll get better, it always does.
thank you both ♥
agreed!
Dear 19 year old self,
It will take you six years to find good friends, but they’ll be so much better than the fake friends you had last year, the ones who never call you or even bother sending you happy birthday messages on FB.
Don’t worry about that last boyfriend, he was a jerk. Most guys aren’t like that.
Your worst critic is yourself, so keep doing what you do and always get a second opinion.
You don’t have to hate pink just because someone told you it was a “girl color”, you really aren’t that big of a tomboy just because you grew up with brothers.
Lots of people will tell you that the relationship will get better between you and your mom, but don’t count on it. You’ll waste a lot of energy trying before she’s ready. When she is ready, she will come to you, but still take it very slow and be very cautious.
Silliness is underrated, you can never be too serious. Remember dad said, “Don’t take life too seriously, nobody gets out alive.”
You won’t forget him, you don’t have to keep a picture on your dash. Without lamination, it’ll just get ruined anyway.
You get two families, one you don’t get to pick, and one you do. Sometimes, the one you would’ve picked finds you.
Take every opportunity to travel that life hands you, the world is beautiful.
Dear 19 year old me,
You don’t know me yet. I’m the person you will become. I’m writing this to share some things you will learn along the way…and to give you some advice to make things easier down the road.
First of all, don’t EVER let anyone tell you that you CAN’T do anything. You CAN. You are strong and capable…no matter what anyone else tells you.
Don’t let your fathers past indiscretions shape your life. Not all men are him. And what he put you and Mom through was NOT right in any way…and it’s only going to get worse. Don’t let him, or his opinion of your life, choose your path for you. You and ONLY you control your own destiny.
There’s a guy you’re going to meet in about a year in a college class. Tell him how you feel. Do it quickly…if you don’t, the love of your life will be snapped up before you even have a chance.
Your favorite and closest cousin is hurting a lot. He won’t tell anyone. He feels like he can’t tell our family who he REALLY is. Be there for him. Make him feel comfortable enough with you to be himself. Don’t lose touch with him. If you do…you’ll regret it.
Speaking of 8 years from now….it’s going to be a hard year. Rely on God to get you through it. It’s going to be hard at times because you’re going to question EVERYTHING in your life. A couple of additional notes on that year:
Spend all the time you can with your Step-Mother. She’s going to get really sick. You’re going to need to be there for her as much as you can. You can’t save her life…but you can be there for her and be the daughter she always wished she’d had. The problems you two have aren’t real and are nothing more than your father pitting the two of you against one another with false words.
Don’t take your Paw Paw for granted. He won’t always be there. You will have to watch him in his last months, struggling to breathe. You will have to do this because your father won’t even help take care of his own Dad and you will need to pick up the slack. Appreciate all the stories he tells. One day you’ll miss them. And you’ll wish you could have one more day sitting on that front porch listening to him talk about the “old days” of farming strawberries when all he had was a mule to plow the fields.
You’re going to have good times and bad times. Times where you wish you could freeze a moment forever and times where all you want to do is cry because you have no money and no place to live and you’re far from home. But if you make the most of ALL of those times? Life will be spectacular. Your time in Orlando will teach you that what everyone says is true….you CAN’T buy happiness. In fact, your best memories will come from living in Orlando and being completely broke…but always having fun.
Don’t take anything for granted.
Work hard, play harder.
LIVE LIFE FOR EVERY MOMENT.
And remember…you may not be happy with who you are now…but you will be one day.
Love,
33 year old you
This is soo great! Thank you for sharing, Alexz! I’m 19 and this is so amazing – thanks to everyone who wrote those letters as well, because I can really use some advice right now :) this motivates me to stick to my stuff and keep doing my best at university. And I think we all take ourselves too seriously at this age, at least I do, I am trying to be perfect, to have people like me and to always keep my emotions under control – I wish I was one of those reckless 19 year olds, who just enjoy life, but I’ve got to be careful, if I am going to make it alone in another country, right? :) Anyway, thank you for inspiring me to stop worrying about what someone else thinks or how it looks, because it is true – you regret the things you never try… thanks for making me think about it while I can still change things and learn to enjoy life right now :) many of these feel quite familiar to me and I’ll try to make this year count ;)
I love it. Have to add my own.
——
Dear 2004 Me,
SAY NO. You may be wearing the white dress, you may think you can’t turn back, but say no. Walk away now. Save yourself the year of gaslighting and other unpleasantry. Heal your wounds, don’t create new ones.
Stay the course with your writing. That thing your friend Candice is writing about…try it. You don’t need to listen to either your parents or your will-be-an-ex-husband.
Stay the course with jazz. You have no idea what lies ahead of you if you stay with it, and it is everything you dreamed of. Stay with it. Don’t abandon it. There is literally a world that you’re heading towards, and you can use to be sooner
The degree you are working on, good. The degree in banking/finance and real estate – better. One doesn’t exclude the other.
Make your amends. And know when to stop talking to someone. Both will save you hassles in the long run.
And most importantly, tell that voice inside you – you know, the one that calls you stupid, the one that tells you it’s a stupid idea, the one that says you’re not going to amount to anything – to shut the fuck up. It’s not YOU talking. It’s your father, and sometimes your mother. How many times have you heard what they think you have to do with yourself? Know this: it’s what they THINK you have to do. It’s NOT what you actually have to do. It’s not what’s necessarily best for you, and trying to make them happy will make you miserable. You aren’t them, and you cut from an entirely different cloth. Make yourself happy. And know this: some of your best times in life will be in debt. The times when you’ll have a couple-thou in your bank account? Not so happy. Be happy, on YOUR terms.
Your friend
The now and future Kat.
Dear 19 year old self,
This year will be one of the most eventful years you’ve ever had.
In the beginning you will be one person, and at the end of the year you will be someone else entirely. 19 and 20 will contain some of the most important life experiences you have has thus far. The moment that will shift your entire world will be just after your birthday, you will get very sick, and you will be lying in a hospital thinking you’re dying. This will be the pivotal point in your life and from this point on you will be a new person. Just remember that you will survive through this scary part of your life.
You’ll meet the guy of your dreams, you won’t know it at first but when you do, oh how you’ll know it. You might be misguided at times, but in the end you know where you are going, so don’t let anyone else throw you off course.
Some devastating things will happen, but they will also escalate things in a way that you could never have imagined. Never forget that everything happens for a reason.
Above all pursue your art. Don’t let anyone else’s success in anything discourage you. Just because someone is better at it doesn’t mean you can’t do it as well.
Most importantly, DO NOT let that job at Lush slip away. This is something you will regret for the next 3 years, maybe more. Stay on top of that, and make sure you get the job. They wanted to hire you, you wanted to be there, it was just purely bad timing that you missed their call.
Finally, don’t focus too much on your family in Hawaii. You tend to put them on a pedestal and forget about the ones who have loved you with out judgement, and have never tried to dictate your life. Spend time with your father, but realize that he is just another man and will do the things men do. You should accept now that he is not the super hero you thought he was. It only gets harder the to accept the older you get.
Spend time with Papa, he is keeping a secret from the family about his health. Cherish every moment you have left with him. Ignore the crazy religious semantics that come with it all.
Take some time off. Nurse your health. You’ve worked really hard so far, it’s time to get some genuine life experiences. Stay positive.
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this is awesome. you have such great fans.
Dear 19 year old Shelbi,
Stop being impulsive. Your heart will mend without liquor or boys. Call Mamaw tomorrow. She needs to hear your voice. Trust me when I tell you moving back is a good idea. The most influential times are ahead of you. Play guitar every day. Write until your fingers bleed. Stop beating yourself up, throw away your razor. Fall in love in Kansas City with no fear — your fear isn’t worth it; you’re going to fuck something up. Turn 20 with a smile on your face, despite your aching heart.
Conway is going to be your home. Give it a chance because you’re going to need that place in order to become who you are. Write more. I know you’re avoiding it. Seriously, write. Enjoy the little things, those moments when you’re ready to cry but you laugh — those are gifts. Call your mother. She misses you. And your brother needs you.
Have fun in the summer. No regrets. These are your best moments with your best friends. Make them last.
And when you’re breaking down, stay strong. You’re going to hate what you’re doing. But don’t get angry. Have faith in yourself. Payton gave you a gift and you need to share it. Don’t wait two years to show the world what you are capable of.
And most of all, love yourself.
From the bottom of my heart and soul,
Your future self. You are beautiful.
I’m actually turning 19 in a week and all I can say is thank you for posting this!! Reading these letters has been so inspirational and combined with the fact that I was listening to ‘This is Your Life’ by Switchfoot really put my life into perspective, and made me think about the person I want to be. It has reminded me to always make the best of things and do my best, at a time when I really needed the extra push :)
So thankyou for your inspirational writing- your blogs and your music (because funnily enough my iTunes just started playing ‘Inconveniences’).
Dear 19 year old me,
You and me, we aren’t so different, but at nineteen, you aren’t finished yet. There is so much of your life still ahead of you. So much to learn and experience. Do the small things. Become a better man. Go out and see the world.Get out of your shell. Try to make a friend. Keep going to college. Study more. You might want to take a programming course, you’re going to major in it in a few years. Don’t put off math; you’re going to need Calc 2. Stop gaining weight: seriously. If you can get a part time job, do it. No job history seriously cramps your style later on.
Nothing too momentous will occur with your family, but be better to them. Family is so important.
You’re doing some soul searching. That is a good thing. Not everything you believe is true, but you’ll figure it out. Not everything you want for your life is right, but things will work out. If you have a crisis of faith, don’t ignore it; don’t be apathetic, figure it out.
Listen to some music. Sing when you feel it. Groove when you can. Maybe even dance a little. It’ll make you feel better. I don’t remember what’s out there back then, but there is enough to make a difference.
Above all, don’t be afraid to be silly. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Live a little. Things aren’t all that serious. It is okay to be down sometimes, but be happy when you can.
Sincerely,
A man who still doesn’t have every answer,
but likes to think he’s happier now
This was a really cool thing to do
I’m 19 so I have to wait a while before I write my letter
But
In the mean time these were very cool
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Dear Julie,
I know it’s hard. Believe me, I KNOW. Almost all of your friends have left or are leaving (yes, you really are the only one who is not in school and that’s OKAY, there’s nothing wrong with you because you’re not in college), and you have a creepy stalker-ish guy at work who scares the crap out of you (he doesn’t get *better*, but it does get easier), and your dad is still out of work and that scares you too (just hang in there til August 2012; something great is coming for him, I promise!). You’re still not going back to Guatemala with your church missions trip (though that isn’t so painful this time around). There is still so much baggage you’re carrying about the rest of your life, things that you think you’re over but are mentioned and they bring back a stabbing pain like you’re still right in the middle of it all. Life is hard, and we are never promised anything else. But this isn’t a bad thing.
People are moving on with their lives, but Mari will be coming back into yours. She’ll be your best friend like old times and stick with you through everything (though she and your brother will still drive you crazy sometimes). She’ll text you at work to make your stalker think you have a boyfriend. Her family will surprise you for your 20th birthday, plan a movie night and make you peach ice cream cake just because they like you. She’ll give you some of your best presents; you two will write a story together. It may be a slow-and-steady tale, but steady it will be and the journey will be amazing.
Keep writing. I know that you feel like this writer’s block has gone on for years — a novel in November and then squat for eleven months, right? — but don’t stop. Every word you write is worth something, and a year from now you’ll be amazed by what you’ve been able to do. Give yourself some credit!! You’ve got talent; don’t waste it. I still don’t know where it’s going, but it’s moving forward, and is the destination really as much fun as the journey itself? (Also, start gathering ideas now; you and Halle are going to have a BIG project ahead of you. Trilogy-big ;).)
Don’t put that guitar down. I get it, you’re stressed, you’re frustrated and you don’t think you’re going anywhere; but look where you came from. Look back at 15, 16; remember those days? Look at how far you’ve come and be PROUD (and another little hint; one day you’re gonna meet Alexz Johnson. Don’t miss the chance to tell her how she has inspired you). And savor every chance to play with your Dad in church; it’s a rare gift and you should be thankful for it.
You have a lot to learn, girly. One of the biggest? Stop caring what people think. We humans are shallow and fickle creatures, likely to share an opinion in one statement and contradict it in the next. As much as it’s nice to have approval from family and friends, in the end there’s really one opinion that matters, and that’s God’s. Everyone else is just icing. Get yourself right with Him and don’t take that relationship for granted; where life leaves you empty, He makes you FULL with His love. And that is a beautiful thing.
Finally, dear Julie, I have once piece of advice; get up off your butt and DO something!! You feel like you’re just existing, not really moving forward or backward or anywhere at all, and you’re right. I get that life is confusing and uncertain, but there are AMAZING things out there and you want to do so much, so do it! Make an effort. It’ll take work — two years later and STILL working — but it is worth it. Oh, so very worth it.
God bless you, young self,
Julie (in present)
ps. One day, you’re going to be about three months late reading a blog post from Alexz about writing a letter to your 19 year old self. You’re going to think, “meh, it’s been so long since she posted this I’ll look weird if I do it now…”…and you’re probably right, but it doesn’t matter. Do it anyways; you need to get it out ;).
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Dear Young Self,
Its not ever going to get easier, you will always feel like its a never ending battle when you look in the mirror, even though you are so beautiful inside & out! You will hear every night screaming & yelling coming from your parents bedroom.. You will be 16 when your parents talk of a divorce & yes the house will be quiet when your brothers move out.. yes your dad is to blame! You will sneak out to see some guy who never loved you & you will cry after its all said & do with… You will starve yourself for awhile not that it is going to be hard to do that because your dad looses his job & your mom will have to be the supporter for years to come! You will build a brick wall between you & the entire world, but have no fear life will get better for you! Your going to dance & fall in love with every element of dance except tap that is.. Ha Dance is going to teach you to love yourself even though trust is always going to be an issue for you! You will be taken out of your element & this will help you to open up to complete strangers, It will be a struggle for you but there nothing you can’t overcome. You will meet someone who will love you like there is no tomorrow & even though your life will never be easy, you will love the challenge! You are going to be an amazing woman! The only true advice I can give you is to be careful of who you trust & spend your youth with because those are the years you never get back! Always follow your heart & instincts! Be true to who you are& last of all love yourself because you are the only one who will be able to hurt you, you don’t have to be alone in the world!
Yours Truly,
You.
Dear 19 year old self,
Don’t be afraid to be yourself ,don’t be to shy to show off that other side of you
Find out who to trust and who not to.. Learn to forgive your father because when you lose him to cancer its going to really hurt. Find out who your real friends are don’t listen to everyone that whispers something bad in your ear. 19 year old self you will finally find a guy that’s good to you and for you take care of him and he’ll do the same in return. Always be there for your mother she will be going through some thing this year comfort her…remain your child-like self.
P.s. I know your still upset your favorite show instant star ended about two years ago lol