I think we all come to a point in our lives where we realize that everything that came before, any obstacle or hardship we had in the past, seemed so much harder in that moment than it really was. Book number 24 is called What I Know Now, Letters to My Younger Self by Ellyn Spragins. It’s a book full of letters written by many different woman to their younger selves. It was interesting to read because I think the older we get, the more we wish we could go back and tell ourselves what we know now. I know in just about all of my dads lectures, he always says, “when you are my age, you will understand.” I always roll my eyes, but I know he is right. The older you get, the more life experience you have gathered, which enables you to understand life in a different way than us younger folk. One of my aunt Cathy’s favorite quotes is, “Youth is wasted on the young.” She says this is because in order to truly appreciate youth you need to have life experience, but you don’t acquire that life experience until you are old and wrinkly. So unfortunate. I am determined to not waste my youth. That would be such a tragedy. Sometimes life is beautiful and sometimes life is complicated… but most of the time it’s both. We should always try to remember that. To find the beauty in the harder phases of our lives. What do you wish you could tell your younger self? What do you wish you had known back then? Would you go back and change anything if you could? Think about it.
I am only 19 years old but this is MY letter to my younger self.
Growing up sucks. But it is inevitable, so just accept it already and move on. Not all kisses are magic and not all boys will really like you for you. Be patient. Most people will not live up to your expectations and sometimes they will disappoint you. Understand that some people are meant to come into your life and stay forever whereas, others are supposed to come into your life and then leave. Learn the difference between the two. Some love stories are short stories. Lifelong friends are good to hold on to. Go to the movies with your mom and talk to her about boys, she is dying to know about these things. Let your dad in, he just wants to know who you are. Tell the people you love that you love them, every single day. Appreciate your grandparents, they wont be here forever. Remember that family always comes first. Never forget it. Keep giving homeless people money, they need it more than you do. Hug often. You can’t save every one, but you can try… always try. Treat your animals like they are humans, because well, they almost are. Say thank you. Eat more fruit loops even though dad says you can only eat “healthy cereals.” Don’t ever stop believing in love… someday it will save you. If you meet your soul mate, never let go. Go outside and take in all the beauty that surrounds you. Don’t believe the homeless man who tells you you are going nowhere in life. (true story, it happened.) Believe in yourself more. What you did in high school doesn’t define who you are. Surround yourself with people who support you and help you grow. Always help those who can’t help themselves. Live by love. Tell your sister she is your best friend, because she is, and always will be. Never eat meat again. Have faith that things will work out. All the answers you need are in your heart. Accept your flaws. Never give up on the people that you love. And never stop fighting for what you believe in. And for goodness sakes, make mistakes… make a lot of them. And then learn from them. You will be okay.
🙂
Write a letter to your younger self. Don’t think. Just write.
Finished? Good.
Keep it safely tucked in your nightstand, and whenever you feel a little lost you can pull that letter out and you will be reminded of how much you have grown from the past. And how much you still have yet to grow.
Xo.
Taylor Jordan
Life Scribbles 
Leave a comment