Keep Thriving

Hi, past self! How are you doing? Are you having fun playing outside? Are you still sneaking out? I hope you enjoyed every bit of being a child.

I never really considered writing a letter to you because I never liked looking in the past. I never really liked you. You were too careless, outgoing, and trusting. You were too good. You were conditioned to think that the world would be good to you if your good to them. You never had a personality as kid. You were thought to be a people-pleaser. Your personality revolved around those who are around you so you could fit in as a kid.

However, I wouldn’t really trade the joy you experienced as a kid.

I would say the teenage years were your most exciting and tiring. As a college student now, I’d say you’ll eventually experience a lot of psychological troubles. There is going to be a moment in your life where you’ll eventually smile even though you are in pain. You’ll learn how to independently control your emotions and facial expressions. This is one of the theories I learned in college. It’s kind of sad but, at the same time, it will come in handy.

I’d say we didn't make any bad decisions. I don't want to share too much with you because I believe everything is working out well. Perhaps you should reconsider your high school plans, but don't worry, you know. Keep going as you are. We're different people today, I must confess, but I'd want to resurrect some of our former selves. I've always admired how direct, open-minded, and brave you are. For that and so much more, I'm incredibly proud of you.

I simply want to say how proud I am of you for persevering through the most trying times. You achieved so much on your own, overcoming numerous challenges that no one else was aware of. No matter what anyone said about them, you never gave up. I am aware that you weren't always the happiest person, but you always had hope. Please, whatever you do, disregard what everyone is telling you and always have confidence in yourself. The most important thing I wish I had done in the past is this. I wish I had possibly assured you then that things would turn out for the best, but I guess you discovered that on your own.

As to you, present self, I’d keep this short. 

I know you are having an existential crisis because you are keen on siding with behavioral theories. You believe that personality develops as a result of interactions between a person's environment and themselves. However, you’re completely opposed to biological theories that suggest that personality is genetically determined. I know it’s a lot to take in but we’re mostly going to be a person that we're proud of.

You need to keep in mind what is actually essential in your life despite the fact that you have a lot going on right now with school and your social life. You must maintain your strength and keep your attention on the things that will help you achieve all of your goals. Continue putting up your best effort in school, and it will all be worthwhile in the end. Although I understand you were happy with your final scores this semester, attempt to outdo yourself the following semester. Continue seeking out new chances as they will only lead to additional doors being opened in the future. Make a decision today that will make your future self proud.

And, lastly, to my future self.

So, did you succeed in realizing all of your ambitions? How well-off are you? But more importantly, are you content with your current situation in life? Tell me you've only surrounded yourself with positive influences who are building you up rather than knocking you down, individuals who make you smile every day.

I hope you stopped all the manipulation and gaslighting that you did to yourself. I hope that the false memories have stopped. 

I hope all is okay with you. I hope you achieve all of your goals for success. I hope you made sure to keep in mind all the beautiful people and small joys in life. I wish you will always be appreciative for what you've got and never desire more than what you truly require. I wish you luck in finding and maintaining the high standard of living you've always desired. I really hope that you are pursuing all of your goals and that they will make you enormously happy.

I hope you're still picking up lessons from the past. It's me. Do not be scared to admit when something is incorrect or to occasionally be mistaken. Remember, take calculated risks and keep going.

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