Hello Katie, it’s me. Well, it’s actually you, just a few years into the future. I’m here to talk to you about everything you used to think of, where you wanted to end up and what is changing in the future. So sit down, buckle up and start reading.

School. For years, you will want to be a teacher and nothing else. The influence of the teachers you had in elementary and middle school fueled the fire that made you want to become someone who changes children’s lives for the better. However, during your sophomore year of college, you will find out that your heart is no longer interested in teaching like you had wanted for so long, but rather you will be drawn to your new love of psychology. Your newfound love of psychology will prompt you to change majors (Yes, I know you never wanted to be the type of person who goes to college and changes their major, but it’s not as scary as you thought it would be).

You will also add on a minor in a subject that you never gave a second thought to when starting college— religious studies. You will fall in love with this minor and every single professor in the department. It will feel like a third home, somewhere you can be yourself and explore new ideas and questions. Hopefully you will continue to grow this interest long after your undergraduate years are over.

Sports. 11 years. That’s how long you dedicated yourself to competitive figure skating. Traveling around the U.S., competing in many a competition, first in freestyle, then ice dance, then solo dance. You will achieve great wins and suffer devastating losses. New personal bests and just-missed podium opportunities. (Ahem, Solo Dance Nationals 2013.) You will try to keep up with lessons when you start your first year at college because you have goals, and you want to pass your last three freestyle tests. However, between homework, tutoring, a packed class schedule and social outings, you will not be able to keep it up. Somewhere in the void of losing competitive figure skating, you will gain an affection for cross country running. This sport will capture your heart and simultaneously stomp all over it in one fell swoop. Running will push your limits, test your mental strength and make you feel overwhelmed with joy all at the same time. Every course walk-through, team dinner, drive to and from Saturday morning practice and morning dew-soaked shoes and socks will make you feel part of something totally different than skating ever did. Eventually, you’ll learn to love running (even though you don’t do it nearly as often as you should. Sorry, coach.)

Dear Past Me— these things will change you for the better. They will make you more outgoing, efficient, stronger, smarter, etc. They will create new connections and open doors you could only dream of opening. They will lead to lifelong friendships and memories.

Dear Past Me— don’t be scared of your future self. She’s amazing.