My dear Teen self,
This is the part of the letter where you ask people how they’ve been, but since I am your future, I already know you’re doing great, and will be doing even better soon!
I know it hasn’t been easy for you for a while now. I know that you feel like there’s nothing more to look forward to, no light calling to you from the end of the tunnel. But honey, trust me when I say that there is a lot of greatness in store for you, and it only gets better from here. I am going to tell you a couple of things that I hope will help you deal with whatever life has in store for you, for us..
Let’s start with that boy – yes, you know who I am talking about.
He crapped all over your beautiful innocent heart, and let me just tell you that he is not worth it. I know it doesn’t feel like that right now and it’ll hurt for a long time, but a few years from now your heart won’t even skip a beat when you hear his name, or when you see him walk down the street. It gets better! Five years from now, the roles will be reversed and he will wish he was your man.
You just finish the 16th year of your existence on planet Earth and entered the 17th and dad will tell us that we have to move. It may sound scary now, but hear me out. Meditate, close your eyes and take a breath. You may feel like you’ll probably not make it without your friends, but you’ll be just fine, I promise that. I know the new city is a strange one, and you feel lost and alone, but hold on! Because you’re about to find out what being loved feels like.You’re about to embark on the adventure that make up loving relationships. You will find great friends, and cute boys who you think are “The One” (but they aren’t).
At 21, I am sure we have understood that you can’t find love. Love finds you. So we don’t give it that much thought. You’ll be cherished and loved by many, but don’t let that get to your head. Remember to always be humble and kind. Do not hurt people with your words or actions, or at least give it a good try.
Now I know there are a lot of distractions in your life right now, but you have to look at the bigger picture. Study hard, get better grades and make Mum and Dad the happiest they have ever been. They’ll love you no matter what. But show them that you appreciate them. Tell them you care! Do well in school, and no matter what, DO NOT BUNK CLASSES, because guess what? You get caught.
You will pass the Boards! And then it will be time for college which is a different ball game entirely. Remember to sleep on time the night before you leave. Get up early and thank mum dad for everything they have done for you. Sit down and eat with them because it’ll be a while before you’ll get to do that again, and you will miss it.
When you get there, don’t be intimidated by your competition and give up. You made it to the same place as them in your own little way, and their talents in one field do not reflect on your capabilities. Every race in life is a lion fight, and not winning does not mean that you cannot roar. Stand your ground. Do not lose sense of who you are. Stand proud! Strut a little!
When you fall in love for the first time, it’ll probably take you by surprise because like other things in life, it won’t go as planned. You’ll fall in love with a beautiful soul. She’ll make your world spin. Yes, I said she. There’s a lot about yourself that you are yet to figure out. She will give you some of the very best memories that you will hold on to the rest of your life. But it’ll also change you. So don’t let it get the better of you. If things go south (as they usually do), remember that the higher power always has a plan in place and everything happens for a reason. When in college, stay focused and channelize your energies in the right direction. Don’t get lazy. Make an effort to be better. Let everyone know what you’re capable of and be a force to be reckoned with.
And all that weight that you’re worried about? I’d like to tell you that it melts away and that future you is the spitting image of Megan Fox, but that’s just fantastical. On the plus side, you learn to carry yourself and understand that you aren’t fat, just pleasantly plum (wink wink). But I promise you we’ll work on that in the future. So stop worrying about it. Stop worrying that you aren’t beautiful enough because you are, and for the love of God, DO NOT use those stupid unhealthy tricks to drop a couple pounds. Honestly, they won’t work. But they will surely make you feel sick and unhealthy.
Here are some things you should remember when you’re growing up-
- Learn to play the guitar. Don’t let it go just because you have to go for some maths tuition and you can’t make time. Figure it out.
- Learn to control your anger. It hurts you more than anyone else.
- You’re a horrible dancer but you’re better than you give yourself credit. Don’t let it bring you down. Not everyone can be Michael Jackson.
- Learn a sport, because God knows you’ll regret not doing so.
- Don’t harm yourself just because you think you have no escape from life.
- Learn to forgive, but don’t continue to make the same mistakes.
I could go on and on about the things you could, or rather should, do differently. But there are some lessons you need to learn and experience yourself. Just remember that nothing lasts forever,be it the bad or the good times. So live in the moment and, let by gones be by gones. Even if you don’t want to listen to me and everything goes downhill, just know you’ll BE OKAY! Don’t give up on yourself and don’t let your lack of control get the better of you. Think things through and don’t take emotional decisions. The next few years are going to be a rollercoaster ride. They aren’t going to be easy, but they won’t be a disaster either. Nothing in your life is; your mindset can help you overcome the unimaginable. Just remember to keep your heart open and the rest will follow. Start to give yourself a little more credit; you’re not half as bad as you think you are.
With love and luck for times to come,
Your 21 year old self.
PS – stop posting Facebook pictures and statuses so often. Just trust me on it. I am saving you the embarrassment for ages!
Written by Arundhati Bhatia (4th year)
