Letters to Myself: Entry Three
Prompt: What I’d Tell My Teenage Self in 5 Minutes?
What would you say to your younger self if you had just five minutes? For me, it’s a mix of advice, humor, and a whole lot of hope. Here’s my quick message to the kid I used to be.
Answer to the prompt:
Five minutes!? Come on! Give me at least a full 24 hours!
But in all seriousness, I would tell that kid to gear up for a wild, fun, and bumpy ride. I’d remind him to smile, to always be a positive light to others, like he was even as a baby. I’d also tell him he’s a good-looking guy, he just needs to get a haircut and shave, trust me.
I’d encourage him to embrace education, it’ll become the stomping grounds for learning how to handle life’s challenges. And above all, I’d say: be free and enjoy your freedom. Don’t do anything too reckless, obviously, but lean into peace, happiness, and the beauty of nature and the city. Life’s short, kid. Might as well enjoy it.
It’s a unique feeling, looking back on yourself compared to where you are now. It makes me smile to think that even ten years from now, I’ll be able to look at the me of today and say something even more prophetic.
I just really love encouragement. There’s no better feeling than knowing someone believes in you. To have someone say, there’s still hope, even in the worst of times. And the truth is, you do have the power to change your story. You just have to believe in that hope.
One last thing: focus on the details. The details are what create the best picture. Not the picture itself.
And if you’re reading this on my blog, know this, you can always be hopeful. You can find it fast.
This post is part of my "Letters to Myself" series — a weekly free-write blog where I explore personal growth, curiosity, and healing through simple prompts. Sometimes reflective, sometimes fun, but always real. Thank you for being here.
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Photo by Aron Visuals via Unsplash
