3/18/25 Blog Post 5: Letter to Younger Self

Dear Younger Me,

Right now, you probably think being a grown-up means staying up as late as you want, eating candy for dinner, and never having to do homework again. It sounds pretty awesome, doesn’t it? Well, I hate to break it to you, but adults still have bedtimes (even if we don’t always listen to them), too much candy gives us stomachaches, and there’s always something new to learn. But don’t worry—you have plenty of time before you need to think about all that. For now, just enjoy being a kid. Play outside, build blanket forts, and let your imagination run wild, because those moments are more important than you realize.

I know you sometimes feel like you have to be perfect at everything—whether it’s spelling tests, swim meets, or even just coloring inside the lines. But let me tell you a little secret: mistakes are how you learn! Every time you mess up, you’re actually getting better, even if it doesn’t feel like it right away. So don’t be afraid to try new things, even if you’re not the best at them yet. It’s okay if you can't meet a goal, spell a word wrong, or draw outside the lines. What matters is that you keep trying and have fun along the way. Some of the best things you’ll ever learn will come from the moments when things don’t go as planned.

I also know that sometimes it’s frustrating when things don’t work out the way you want them to. Maybe you don’t get picked first for the game at recess, or maybe your best friend wants to play something different than you do. It’s okay to feel upset, but try to remember that not everything has to be perfect for you to have fun. Some of the best days happen when you let go of expectations and just enjoy the moment. Learning to be flexible and go with the flow will make life so much easier—and a lot more fun!

Oh, and about those times when you feel like you’re not good enough or that other kids are better than you? Don’t let that little voice in your head trick you. You are special just the way you are, and no one else in the whole world can be you. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on what makes you happy and what you love to do. Everyone has their own strengths, and yours are just as important as anyone else’s. The sooner you learn to believe in yourself, the happier and more confident you’ll feel.

Most of all, don’t be in such a hurry to grow up. I know being a kid might seem boring sometimes, and you can’t wait to be older so you can make your own rules. But trust me, there will be plenty of time for big responsibilities later. Right now, your biggest job is to play, learn, and be kind to yourself and others. So keep running barefoot in the grass, laughing until your stomach hurts, and believing in magic—because these are the moments you’ll look back on and miss the most. You’re doing just fine younger me just keep being you!