Dear Sarah,

This is perhaps the most exciting and terrifying year you’ve had yet. You’re graduating high school, and starting your first year of college. You’ll end your softball career on a high note, and begin concentrating on your budding music career. You’ll attend two proms. You’re undergoing more changes than you ever have at any other time in your life. Friends will come and go. You’ll be let down a few times. You’ll realize that your best friends have already become your family, and that your family will love you unconditionally.

I know that you have put a lot of stock in leaving your hometown. To you, it almost seems like if you don’t move away you will never be happy. Please don’t be so naïve. In your first semester of college, you will discover that problems will follow you wherever you go, no matter what you end up doing. Eventually, you will discover that finding happiness involves making the best of hard situations, not running away from them. You’ll be very homesick during your first year of college, but eventually, school will start to feel like your new home.

At times, college will seem like the best and worst thing that has ever happened to you. You’ll change your major three times. You’ll move around a lot. You’ll become vulnerable. You’ll find new passions that you never thought you would ever try, let alone love. You’ll feel betrayed by some of those whom you have trusted, but all of these bittersweet occurrences will lead you to those who really deserve your trust, and will only bring you closer to your dreams.

Please be careful when giving your heart away. Not everyone deserves your friendship or love. This is something that you will learn the hard way over time. You will encounter many people who do not have your best interests at heart, despite how it may seem. Be kind to all, but do not settle for friendships because they come easy. Spend your time wisely, and only with those who deserve your energy. Understand that it is natural to drift away from people. We are all changing.

Please do not forget how short and valuable life is. This is another lesson that you will learn this the hard way, through the loss of a loved one during your college years. This will be a struggle for you, and a challenge to work through. You’ll want to understand all of life’s unknowns, and will eventually accept that there are no answers to your questions. You will learn to live in the moment and be grateful for each day that you are granted.

Please don’t worry about things that do not warrant your time or energy. Life is too short to concern yourself with these minimal annoyances. Instead, focus on learning how to be your authentic self, and how to help those around you live authentically as well.

If you don’t like something, change it. Don’t complain or fall into the trap of negativity. Remember that you are the one who ultimately has the power to control your life. People will oftentimes dislike you or your decisions. Let them. You were not put on this earth to please anyone but yourself, and your higher power.

Most of all: enjoy your life. Don’t be afraid to be vibrant. Sing at the top of your lungs. Dance. Try new things. And never settle for anything. Believe that you are capable of doing great things, and you’re halfway there.

Love,

Your Future Self (20)