The time traveler's note

Dear Younger Self,

If I could reach back through time, I'd give you a hug and tell you a few things that I wish someone had told me then. You're standing at the precipice of so much – excitement, uncertainty, joy, and maybe a little bit of fear. And guess what? That's perfectly okay.

If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be. The blueprint for your life is still being drawn—and you're holding the pen.

1. Remember that feeling of being an outsider, or not quite fitting in? Everyone feels it. Seriously, everyone. The cool kids, the quiet ones, even the ones who seem to have it all figured out.

We're all just trying to navigate this wild ride called life, often faking it until we make it.

Don't waste a single moment trying to be someone you're not to impress others.

Your unique quirks, your passions, your weird sense of humour – those are your superpowers. Embrace them. The right people will find you, and they'll love you for exactly who you are.

You were born an original. Don't allow yourself to die a photocopy.

2. You’re going to mess up. A lot.

You’ll say the wrong thing, make questionable decisions, and sometimes feel like you’ve completely blown it.

Good!

That’s exactly how you learn.

Don’t let the fear of failure paralyze you. Every stumble is just a lesson in disguise, a chance to get back up, dust yourself off, and try again, perhaps a little wiser this time. Resilience isn't about not falling; it's about how you rise.

3. Your heart is going to feel things so intensely – the highest highs and the lowest lows.

Love will feel like an explosion, and heartbreak will feel like the world is ending.

It's not.

It truly isn't.

Allow yourself to feel it all but also learn to protect your peace. Not every battle is yours to fight, and not every opinion deserves your energy. Prioritize your mental and emotional well-being above all else. Learning to set boundaries is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself.

4. Speaking of kindness, be relentlessly kind to yourself. You are your longest commitment. The voice in your head? Make it your biggest cheerleader, not your harshest critic. Treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding you'd offer to your best friend. Celebrate your small victories, forgive your mistakes, and remind yourself of your inherent worth, even on days when it feels impossible.

5. The world is vast and full of opportunities you can't even imagine right now. Don't be afraid to explore, to try new things, to travel, to change your mind, to start over. Your path won't be linear, and that's the beauty of it.

Embrace the detours, the unexpected turns, and the moments of pure spontaneity.

Some of the best discoveries are made when you venture off the map.

Love,

Me <3

P.S.: It gets better and love, the real kind, always wins.