Fast-forward five years. The year is 2021. You have just received a letter in the mail with your name listed as both the mailing address and the return address:
Dear Me,
Do you remember me? Do you remember the girl who always worried about everything and anything? The girl who feared the future…? Who knew it would come so quickly?
Dear Me,
I hope all is well. I hope you are happy and healthy. I hope you still dream and wonder about the future. I hope you strive to work your hardest and do your best day in and day out. I hope you still have a huge heart and care for those around you. And I hope you’re still wearing your retainer (mom and dad would be proud).
Dear Me,
Never thought you would be an adult did you? Twelve years of school, finally done. You did it. Diploma and all. Congratulations on graduating with magna cum laude, all those late nights of flashcards and highlighters weren’t for nothing I guess.
As most college students would agree, we all share a common aspiration to become successful. I don’t necessarily know what path you took to reach this point of success, but whichever path you chose, I hope you are satisfied that you picked the right one.
Dear Me,
I hope you remember the girl who never took failure as an excuse to stop trying. Or the girl who stood up for what she believed in, even if she was the only one in the room standing up. The girl who never settled for less and always strives for more, because she knows that's what she deserves. Do you remember that girl? ...Because I hope you still are her.
Dear Me,
Wherever you are in your life I hope you still remember that mistakes are simply the building blocks for success. Without failure, we cannot succeed. I hope you treat each misstep as a lesson, and from there learn and grow from it.
Dear Me,
I hope you still love pictures. I hope you still love dogs and the smell of freshly cut grass. I hope you still love the ocean at both high tide and low tide. I hope you still love singing (tone deaf) in the shower and doing hot yoga. I hope you still love the little things like morning stretches in bed and cheating on your diet every once and awhile.
Most importantly I hope you love yourself. I hope you love others around you. I am writing to remind you that you are beautiful, in both mind and body.
Dear Me,
I hope you surround yourself with inspiring people. I hope you inspire others as well. I hope you lead by example. I hope you still go out of your way for others. I hope you continue to be the change you wish to see in the world. I hope you still smile and I hope you still laugh; because both were always contagious.
Dear Me,
I hope you take advantage of every 24 hours of every day. I hope you are thankful for everything in your life up to this point. The people, the opportunities, the materialistic items, and the lessons you’ve learned along the way.
Dear Me,
I hope you travel the world. I hope you meet new people in distant places. I hope they influence you and broaden your perspective. With your travels, I hope you find beauty in all shapes and sizes. I hope you remember your passport.
Dear Me,
I hope you think positively. I hope you doubt yourself less and go outside of your comfort zone more. I hope you are unmistakably confident, no matter the circumstance. I hope you never take “no” for an answer.
Dear Me,
I hope you actually read this letter. I hope you accomplish all of your dreams and then some. I hope you build upon your dreams whenever you can and never settle for what is easy. Do what you love every day, and love what you do.
"I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again." -F. Scott Fitzgerald
With all my love,
An old friend.
[If you would like to write your own future letter to yourself, check out https://www.futureme.org]
