Thinking back on the last 10 years of my life there’s a lot I wish I had known, and so much more that I’m glad that I didn’t and had to learn on my own. So much has happened in 10 years, some things completely changed and some remained exactly the same. Regardless of all of that, here is what I would say if I could write a letter to myself 10 years ago.

Dear 9-year-old Olivia,

I know you probably think this is crazy, hearing from your future self. So, here’s some things I think will convince you that it’s really me. Currently, you’re in the 4^th grade and your teacher is Mrs. Maier, fun fact she’ll be your teacher next year too. You’re about to get a new cat, and you’ll name her Ruby. And, you just got your first “boyfriend”, but you’re not telling mom and dad so don’t worry I’ll keep quite. Now that I hope you believe it’s really me lets get to the stuff I think you should know about the next 10 years of your life.

First, I have some serious and pretty sad news but I think it’s really important for you to hear. In the next year or so your grandma is going to pass away. So call her a few extra times, send her a letter or two, and don’t forget to always tell her how much you love her. This will be an extremely difficult time for you and your family, but you’ll get through it. Just don’t forget to give your mom endless amounts of big bear hugs, she needs it.

Now let's get on to the fun stuff. Right now you’re in the fourth grade, so you have a long road of school ahead of you. Let me just tell you now that no failed exam, or missing homework assignment is going to matter 10 years from now. So when you are sitting in bed at 3 am trying to study one more chapter or finish one more paragraph just go to sleep. You are a smart girl, and if you get a question or two wrong on that test life will still go on. When your mom asks if you want to skip school and have a shopping day or your dad wants to call you out early to go have lunch with him, do it! Don’t stress for one minute about what you might miss in class, because the memories you will make with them are worth so much more than that day’s math lesson.

Now, let me tell you about your friends. The girls you call your best friends now won’t be there for much longer. A few will stick around but by middle school, you won’t even talk to most of them and you’ll meet new people that you adore. Sadly you will find that during this part of your life girls can be mean, really mean. And, you can be mean sometimes too, do try not to be. All I ask is that you stop thinking less of yourself every time you get shunned or put down by another girl. You have a lot to be proud of so don’t let anyone ever make you feel like anything less. For the next ten years, you will have so many friends come in and out of your life, the good news is you’re about to meet one girl in particular that will never leave your side and to be honest that’s all you’ll ever need.

Over the next 10 years, you will date plenty of boys, probably a few too many. Most of them will break your heart because you will put them at the center of your world and they won’t do the same for you. You’re a hopeless romantic and I can tell you even 10 years from now you still will be. When you love someone you love them with everything you have and that is something that will never change. So, when it feels like your chest is caving in from a broken heart, that a boy so carelessly gave you, remember to keep your chin up. You are so young, and these boys really won’t matter much in ten years. Someday far down the road, you will start meeting guys that treat you with the respect you deserve and even then when things don’t work out you will be strong enough to realize that you’ll be just fine.

The house that you live in now is amazing, I know. Unfortunately 7 years from now you’ll be moving. At the time it will seem like the worst thing in the world, but trust me so many good things will come out of this drastic change. So, in the meantime just remember to appreciate all the amazing things you have been blessed with in your childhood home. Go run through the grass, swim in the pool, ask your dad to hit with you in the batting cage, and just be happy. This house will always hold a special place in your heart so make as many memories as you can here.

When it comes to what you want to be you grow up, keep and open mind. Right now you want to be a teacher, and secretly a singer on the side. In a few years, you’ll have your heart set on being a physical therapist. Then before you know it you’ll be thinking of cosmetology school. Next, you’ll think you want to start your own non-profit for underprivileged youth. And then next thing you know you’ll be a 19-year-old in college trying to become a nurse. So for now focus on just wanting to be a good person when you grow up and all that career stuff will fall into place when it’s meant to. I want you to know that when people ask you what you want to be when you’re older it’s okay to say that you don’t know, because at this age you shouldn’t.

Over the next 10 years remember to smile and laugh as much as you can. Try to be a carefree kid, and as hard as it may seem, try to stop stressing out about every little thing. There will be so many situations that arise in the next decade that make you feel like your world is ending. Well, I’m here to tell you that ten years from now you’ll still be here and you’ll be doing great. Everything will work out exactly the way it’s meant to be and nothing will stop you from reaching the places you wish to reach. You are smart, sweet, caring, and beautiful and it may be hard for you to see that about yourself but I hope and pray that someday you will. So go on now and live your life, and have so much fun. I’ll see you in 10 years and we can look back and smile on how much you’ve grown.

Love,

19-year-old Olivia