Have you ever thought about younger you or future you and felt the need to talk to them? Whether it’s to let them know that big fight you had with your friend really isn’t that big or to check in to see how you are doing five years down the road. So many things I want to tell 15 year old Olivia and so many things I want to ask 25 year old Olivia so here it is.
Dear 12 year old Olivia,
Seventh grade is a fun time. It’s your first year as a middle schooler which can be a scary change. You now change classrooms every hour and classes are harder with higher expectations but you can do it. In fact, you kick butt but don’t forget about your friends because they last longer than school ever will. Also, sleepovers aren’t meant to be scary. I know you don’t like being away from your mom and dad but one night isn’t a bad thing. They’ll still be there when you wake up. They are still here eight years later so go spend the night at a friend’s house, they’ll pick you up in the morning.
Dear 15 year old Olivia,
Sophomore year marks the beginning of a tough two years. I want you to brace yourself because it won’t be long before you hit rock bottom and that’s not something you’ve ever experienced before. It will be scary and it will be hard but you are stronger than you realize. Those days when getting out of bed was an accomplishment will pass and the pain you feel won’t last forever, even though you think it will. You will find the answers to questions you didn’t even know you asked. Don’t forget to soak up the moments when you are happy because while those won’t happen often, they do happen so don’t forget about them.
Dear 18 year old Olivia,
Senior year is full of ups and downs but don’t wish it away. I know you are ready to go to Nashville but there’s so much for you to still enjoy while you are in high school. Growing up is fun and exciting but don’t wish away your high school years. You’ll make memories that will last you a lifetime and you will learn lessons you’ll carry with you forever; not to mention it’s the last time you’ll see your best friend every day of the week because she goes to Colorado and you go to Tennessee and you’ll only see each other twice in the next two years. College will be fun but high school will be too, so enjoy it. Also, cherish living with your parents because in a couple months your alarm clock will be on your phone instead of mom with a warm cup of coffee and your dog Bud with lots of kisses, and family dinners will turn into dinner in the cafeteria while doing homework.
Dear 25 year old Olivia,
Do we make it?! Okay I’m joking, but not really. Do we ever figure out what we want in life? Do we go to grad school? Do we travel Europe? Do we stay in the south? I have so many questions about where we end up! Are we still afraid of growing up if we think about it too much? I still have my moments when going to bed at 9:00 PM on New Year’s Eve in hopes that the new year won’t come seems like a good idea. Is that still a thing for us? Do we learn how to love growing up more than we fear it? Also, how many animals do we have because at the rate we are going now we’re bound to have at least five? I hope we are loving life more than we are now and I hope we accomplish all our goals, even the crazy ones, but most importantly, I hope we are still surrounded by the people who love us unconditionally no matter what.
Sincerely,
20 year old Olivia.
