I’ve spent years envisioning what my future will look like, but life has a funny way of not always going exactly as planned and spontaneously surprising us with unexpected predicaments and incredible opportunities.

Over the years, I’ve accumulated a list of everything I want for the future. But I can’t plan to fall in love with someone I haven’t met, I can’t plan for failure or success, and I can’t plan for adventure, enlightenment, or self-discovery; these things happen naturally and at the right time. I have a broad outline of what my 18-year-old-self hopes to have in the future. Even though I am confident in my plans, the odds are stacked against me considering there is still so much out there for me to explore that will influence my choices, and in turn, determine my future.

So, to the hopeless romantics like me, the ones who like to have a plan, the people who fear change, and speaking loud enough for others to hear, this is for you. I know you have your future daintily planned out, but it’s time to explore all the realms and possibilities for your unlimited success.

Know your self-worth. I know it can feel like you’re alone in these affectionate tendencies, but you’re not. Be happy that you have the amazing ability to love; it’ll take you far. Focus on your goals and building your life. The right person will eventually find their way to you. Don’t spend some of the best years of your life waiting for a boy to love you. You have countless friends and family who already do. Please be sure the people you’re investing your time and energy in would do the same for you. You deserve the world. Be patient and open to new people; you never know who will make a lasting impact on your heart.

Work toward your goals and never give up, but also be willing to understand that naturally you can’t determine the inevitable circumstances of life. It is a marvelous thing to have a future worth working for with goals and ambitions. I encourage you to not allow yourself to get so engulfed in your plans that you forget to live. It is important to learn to accept change and then adjust accordingly. The world is full of endless possibilities and I’d hate to see you miss out.

Change can be frightening. I know the feeling all too well considering I live off of stability and consistency. It is 100 percent acceptable to loosen up a little; life doesn’t need to be so black and white. Having a plan and knowing why something is the way it is is comfortable and feels safe, but live a little and have fun. It’s easy to believe if you loosen up you’ll lose track of who you are and where you came from, but you are in charge of your own destiny. You have the power to decide how others' actions and situations will affect you.

Your voice is strong and deserves to be heard. You are wise beyond your years and have beautiful insight. Scream it from the rooftops and allow others to witness the blinding light you have to offer the world. Don’t let anyone take advantage of your kindness.

Lose yourself in the things you love and the rest will follow. You have years ahead of you to plan out exactly what your future will look like. Until then, explore all that is out there. The future you have planned for yourself now is not set in stone and there is plenty of room for new hobbies, friends, and experiences to determine how you want to spend the rest of your life. All you really need to know now is that you envision yourself happy, healthy, and passionate; the rest will come in time.