A Letter To My Sixteen-Year-Old Self

Dear Trish,

It's me, you. I know it will be hard for you to believe that I’m an older version of you but I want you to pay attention to everything I tell you, you will thank me later.

I know right now ‘sweet sixteen’ tastes a little soar with all the self-discovery that you need to do. Worry not, you will realize that the journey of self-discovery is a continuous process, everyday you find a little bit of yourself in life, in the lemons thrown at you, in the people you meet and those that leave. Embrace it all.

In the time… you really have to do something about those baggy jeans and T-shirts. You are blossoming into a woman, and if God wanted you to be like a boy, He would have made you one. So stop hiding those curves, let your hair down and to put on the six-inch heels once in a while…

Nobody can ever prepare you enough for the uncertainties of life, and more so college, so buckle up for the roller coaster ride; just when the coaster goes up it will go down then up again; you will learn that it’s all part of rapidly growing up. In college everyone’s trying to find their place. There will be all sorts of pressure to act a certain way and do certain things, the pretenses are exhausting; save yourself the trouble and just be you.

You will laugh as much as cry. You will love and love will make you smile and then make you cry but despite of this, don’t stop loving. There’s something about love, about giving and sharing, it doesn't come back to you void. I don’t want to spoil the surprise but nine years from now you will know why am telling you this.

You will go through some hard times and it will reach a point you will have to take the long road less travelled, avoid the short cuts and take it anyway. Don’t run away from making the tough choices because through them lies your hidden strengths.

Believe me when I say hold on to your faith in God.  You will have your moments in the wilderness but do not get scared because God will help you pick up the pieces. And remember that even when you change and act too grown for God, you will find Him right there where you left Him, waiting.

Cherish your friendships; don't burn your bridges because you will have to cross them later on unless you can swim and we both know you can't swim. You will need these friends later on and they will need you. It doesn't matter if you will be separated by life or your experiences, keep in touch with them. Once in awhile meet up and share life; laugh, cry and talk about your dreams. Make the best of every moment, take photos, keep the memories because some of these friends will unexpectedly move to far away lands never to return, others will become distant and you'll have nothing to talk about and one or two will unfortunately die.

I know you worry a lot about the future. No, you will not die before graduation.  Just so you know none of the things you worry about will come true.  Never give up on your dreams of becoming a writer, one day you will actually get paid for it. On that note stop procrastinating, write those scripts, you will look back and wish you took it seriously.

I wish I could tell you everything that's to come but then you would be tempted to change some things, then you would not be the person that I am today. I want you to know that am proud of who you are, I love you.

P.s Please listen to every word mum tells you…she knows what she is saying.

Yours Truly,

Your older wiser self.

What would you say in a letter to your sixteen year old self?

Art by Frank Morrison