A Letter to My 4-Years-Ago Self

Don’t become too attached to materials given to you by people, you’ll have a hard time separating the past from the present. Being yourself will never go out of style, stop trying to keep up with the rest of the world and focus on your own. You will turn 16, 17, 18; you will make stupid mistakes. you are literally a child, of course, you will make mistakes. But you have to truly learn from them and not repeat them over and over again.

You most definitely will hurt the people you care about the most. Just never give up on them. Apologizing is not a shameful thing. People can surprise you, so you have to give them second chances. You are smart and you are capable of achieving whatever you put your mind to, when people think otherwise (trust me they will), take it and turn it into ambition.

Keep your room clean and tidy, you will appreciate the fights you will avoid with your mom, and don’t upset her okay? She is teaching you everything she can and you will be so so grateful that she does that one day. You will turn out to be such a strong young woman. Everyone says that about you. But please remember that it is okay to not be strong in front of some people you pick. You will have people you will only laugh with and you will have people you can laugh with after you cry next to them. Keep them closer, you will need them someday and they will need you. Don’t be so afraid to let your guard down and show your emotions, and not only when you’re happy. People will think you don’t feel certain emotions just because you keep them locked in you somewhere. I know you know that’s not true so that’s the only thing that matters. You know yourself better than anyone, so don’t let people tell you what to do or what to think.

Your family is your family always. Call your grandparents more often, they will be the people you feel closest to someday. And when mom wants to spend more time with you (especially in the kitchen), say yes, always. Time is not guaranteed. You will never regret spending more time with her because time is never enough for two people who love each other. Tell her the stupid things that happened in detail. Tell her when you’re in love, ask her when you have questions about life, tell her she looks pretty in that dress, tell her what an amazing woman and mother she is and how lucky you are to have her as your mother. She will be so happy I promise. Always kiss her goodnight. Because most importantly, it’s always better to regret the things you did than regret the things you didn’t do.