A letter to my younger self.

I decided as a good mental-health exercise I was going to write to my younger self. It’s something I read about recently and thought it would be a good thing to do, so thought I’d share it on my blog too!

Dear Zoë,

I don’t quite know where to start with this letter. There’s a lot of things to cover. I’m not going to lie to you, there are some really horrible times ahead. You’re going to go through phases in your adult life where you feel so angry and bitter about everyone else who gets a happy ending,

It’s not to say you won’t have one yourself, but that whole ‘be married with kids by 25’ fantasy you have. It’s not going to happen. But it’s okay. Because honestly, you are going to learn so many things about yourself over the next couple of decades that you will realise how silly that fantasy is.

There is a reason why you are the way you are, with the loudness, the hyper outbursts, the impulsiveness. You won’t find out until you’re an adult but do you know what? All I will say on this one is continue being yourself. Not everyone is going to like you, you’re going to make a lot of mistakes growing up. And I mean, a lot.

I know it’s something you struggle with, and always will, but be patient with some life lessons. You will be surprised how many things do happen for a reason.

Please, please try and ignore all the taunts people make about your appearance. In school, college, the bars, online, the more you let it get to you the more it’ll mess you up when you’re older. I know it’s hard, but they’re wrong. They only mock you to feel better about themselves. Remember that.

You are a beautiful person. As I said, you will make a lot of mistakes. You’re going to struggle being alone, you’re going to be a nightmare girlfriend to some guys (they don’t last don’t worry), you won’t really know you’re identity until much later in your life. But do you know what? That’s okay. Because the steps you take to get to that person… it’s all worth it.

So brave through the hard times. Cry when you need to, and just know above everything else:

Despite the mistakes, errors of judgement, and failures along the way… your 35 year old self is proud of you, and everything you’re going to become.

Love, Zoë x