Dear Younger Self,
Tess, Tessie, Little T…. where do I even begin?
I know you’re probably on the floor in the living room right now playing with your 'my little ponies' while watching some blues clues. Sorry for interrupting (as I know how much you enjoy both of those things right now), but I have some important things that I would like to tell you.
You’re a full-fledged adult now, can you believe it? In high school you couldn’t wait for years to fly by, and now you just wish that they could slow down.
Now if I’m being honest with you, adulthood isn’t all that you thought it would be, but it also isn’t all that bad either. You’re living in a different city (still close to home though don't worry), and you landed a job with your dream company! That’s right, my dear you are working for The Walt Disney Company. It may not be in the field you want to be in, but everyone’s gotta start somewhere and you are such a dreamer that I know we’ll make it there. All good things take time darling (yes, you are still a little bit impatient here and there lol).
Over the last few years you have made friends that will last a lifetime, ones that you thank God every day for. A few days back I had actually read a quote, it said “we don't technically choose friends, we just accidentally stumble upon them in life”; and let me tell you, that you stumble upon some of the absolute best people that this world has to offer. Unfortunately, along the way you have also lost some friends, but believe me when I say that it was for the better. At the time you thought losing them would have been the end of it all, but now you are so much happier.
As I am writing you this, we are in a few troubling times. A pandemic to be exact (yes like the ones you will read about during history class). And although we have been quarantined to our houses, what started out as a negative situation you have found ways to turn it into a positive. You’ve started your own site, you’ve become brand ambassadors for amazing companies, and you’ve made numerous new friends from online communities. In all honesty, you're becoming a boss ass bitch and I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t proud of who you are right now and what you’ve done. I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world.
However, if I could provide you with a few pointers they would be these:
Hold on to the simple moments
One day you will look back and wish you could have spent more time with those who are currently close to you. Even the simple times, such as running around on the playground playing 4-square, or sitting on the couch watching a movie with your grandma...cherish them all.
Keep a Positive Outlook
There are gonna be many dark days ahead, but there will also be many bright ones. The bright ones will always outshine the dark, but don’t just dismiss the dark ones. Use them, use everything in your life, as a learning experience. In the end you will come out 10x stronger.
Try new things
No this doesn’t mean putting your life in danger (be smart please lol). I know that you like sticking to your safety bubble, but there is so much out there to experience. Go traveling (I know you hate heights and flying, but you’ll work past it), see the world and all it has to offer.
Work hard and never stop believing.
You’re an idealist, you shoot for the stars (and there is nothing wrong with that, despite what the realists around you may say). I love that you have as many goals as you do, and I hope that you continue to accomplish them like you already do. Never settle Tess, if you want something, go for it.
Keep a Relationship with God
If you had to choose one item from my list of advice to follow, I pray that it's this one. With God all things are possible, even when you feel alone you aren’t. He is always right there by your side, cheering you on in life. He will be the one that helps hurdle you through your dark times. Hold tight to your relationship with him, and strengthen it more each and every day
You can’t control everything
People will talk crap about you and try to tear you down throughout your life. It will hurt, I know it will. But we can't control what others say and do. We can only control what we do, and what we choose to believe. Focus on the good. Focus on yourself. Don’t do something just to make someone else happy. People will love you, and people will hate you. But none of it will have anything to do with you. Always be honest and true to yourself. It’s better to be rejected for being genuine than to be accepted for being fake.
Never stop being kind and loving others
It’s who you are. You always give and care for those who are important to you before yourself. While I want you to also look after yourself, and put yourself first sometimes (you are just as important, despite what you may believe. It’s ok to be selfish in this sense, look out for yourself too please) I hope you never stop being kind to those around you, whether you know them or not. Kindness is something that costs nothing, but it means everything. It’s free, so sprinkle that ish everywhere lol.
Though you probably could have done something’s a little different along the way, I don't hold any of those past decisions against myself-don't worry. Although I really wish I could tell you not to do some of the stupid stuff I know that you're going to, I just hope that you learn from them all (like I know you will). After all, if we were to change anything we may not be who or where we are today, and I’m a little partial to us haha.
Your future is bright Tess, but please don't rush to it, it comes quick enough. Celebrate the little things, focus on family, embrace the chaos, be kind, hug often (a little hard with the pandemic I’m in, so please do it for me), and surround yourself with people who you love and who truly love you back.
Don’t ever give up and always look for the bright side. Life gets a whole lot better.
Love, T <3
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