Dear Me,

Time has passed and I am older, and I like to think wiser, but I could never have become the person I am now if not for you. You have shaped me through actions and thoughts that have ultimately become vital to finding the person I am now.

You are probably unsure of the future, and who you will become, but as your older self I have come to realize that the unknown can be a blessing in disguise; there are no assumptions or expectations, just a vast future that holds so much potential. Don't stress about what is to come, just ride it out, experience all there is to experience and you'll find yourself finding yourself exactly where you're supposed to be. The thought of the future, of your life, is probably scary, but don't let the fear overwhelm you, instead embrace it.

Let yourself do things outside of your comfort zone. Do things that won't just be a memory, but will alter who you will become. This will allow you to find what you love, and who you want to be in the future.

Don't let yourself stress about the little things, you'll figure it out and soon it won't even be on your radar anymore. Only a tiny bump in the road, let yourself focus on the bigger picture.

Never let anyone stop you from doing or becoming whatever you desire. Dreaming is good, desires are good. Never stop dreaming, but don't let your dreams just be dreams, make them your reality. This will bring you unwavering happiness.

Treat everyday like a gift because you'll never know what each day will bring you.

Time changes people; it makes you grow older, wiser, stronger, until you find who you are, your beliefs, and what you want to do with your life. So thank you, my younger self, for always being firm with what you believe in, and never straying from what you wanted. Your perseverance and strong will have helped you along this far, but you must also find a way to balance what you think you should be, and what you want to be. Find a balance between what you must do, and the things that will make you happy.

What I have learned in the years between me and you is to not spend a day on anything that does not bring a smile to your face, find a way to bring happiness to everything you do, and never stop dreaming, just push yourself to reach for those dreams. Tell the people that you love that you love them everyday. And never stop being you. Don't let what other people think make you change the way you think, just listen, understand their point of view, and learn a different way of thinking. Time moves quickly in the brightest of moments, but slowest in the darkest hour, so find a balance between these moments. Don't be quick to judge others, each person has their own story, one that you cannot know from a quick conversation or glance. And finally, never stop being you.

Love,

Your future self