I have thought about writing this letter a many of times. When I was little and then I would write to the future self that would be ending fifth grade. I even thought about it when I was in middle school and was going to write to the future me that would be graduating high school. Even though I have thought about it a lot, I have only done in twice—including this letter.

I wrote one my sophomore year of high school and enclosed it with this odd trinket of items in an envelope to open when I was a week or so from graduating high school. I told myself that I shouldn’t have cried over any dumb boys but I of course I still did. And that I needed to get good grades and get into a good college, which I did thank god!

And that I needed to keep myself happy, which when I look back now I did that as well. So looks like the younger and much more naïve sophomore year me was on to something so I thought I would tell me future self some more important stuff.

I want to start off with a couple of things. This moment right now where you think you are not good enough to be at the school you are at, or even anything that you do with your life is not true, okay? You are good enough. All you have to do is refocus on what got you to this moment to begin with and how strong and smart of a person you are. You can do anything you set your mind too, believe in that.

Stop obsessing even a little over the fact that you are single. Revel in it! Thank the lord that you are, because it means you have so much time or growth and change and that is a blessing in disguise. The right person, whoever they may be, will come along when they need to.

And if you are still single when you are reading this letter, it just means that you are continuously growing into this miraculous person I know you will become. It also means that you deserve another dog… or two more. (I say two more). And if you aren’t single when you read this letter again (whenever that may be, whether tomorrow or in 3 years) I hope that that person treats you like a queen.

I also hope that you found truly what you want to be and made that want into a career you want to do for the rest of your life. I hope you stay true to your dreams and look back at your college years as—yes as cliché as this sounds—the best years of your life! You should’ve went out with your friends, taken a risk or two, kicked butt on those tests and killed every assignment you were handed.

And you will do all those wonderful things in med school or grad school or wherever you end up after those four years. And as long as you’re happy, I am and always will be proud of you.

I also hope you gave your all to your sorority, friends, family and especially yourself. I know there have been some tough times in your life whether it is right now in this moment, in the past or in the future but you are strong and will get over anything thrown at you. There are so many people who love you so stop pushing them all away and don’t be afraid to ask for help sometimes.

I know pride and all but everyone needs it every once in a while. Another thing, take your mental health seriously. Don’t wallow in things or let things pent up until you can’t take it anymore. Your mental health is important and shouldn’t be taken lightly!

One last thing, you are smart, you are kind and you are important. Please remember those words and tell them to anyone you meet, because they are also smart, kind and important. Stay happy and humble always. I love you even if you think no one else does.

Also keep in mind that “you saw the future and in it, you were alive”.