A Letter To My 20-Year-Old Self.

With age comes wisdom. We get to know the profound meaning of this timeless proverb only when that long-awaited wisdom actually comes. That is, when we take one long and honest look at our past selves. Though I am definitely not old enough to call myself a wise old lady, fortunately I am neither that naive, wide-eyed kid I once was. I am a member of Generation Y – young enough to be considered Millennial, but old enough to remember pre-internet era. However, due to all great and not-so-great times I’ve had in my twenties, I learned a thing or two. About life. People. Relationships. Friendship. Love. Family. Last, but not least – about myself. Though it’s a long way to (true) wisdom and enlightment, I still wrote a letter to my 20-Year-Old Self. That is, a few things I wish I knew when I was Her age.

Dear N.,

First of all, I would recommend that you start spending less time on those time-consuming inventions also known as hi5 and MySpace. Believe it or not, social networks can wait, but your finals can’t and won’t. Furthermore, it would be good that sometimes you skip an evening-out with a bunch of people in favor of some quality me-time. Trust me, a little bit of me-time never killed anyone.

Stop stressing about all those nonsense you read in women’s magazines and self-help books. Few years from now, you’ll call those reading material „pop-psychology“. When you realize that things in life usually are not so black and white. On the contrary Dear, in the matters of life and love, there’s usually a whole in-between spectrum. There are no any mysterious formulas, or magical recipes for happiness. Life is not one-size-fits-all, though so many books and magazines claim otherwise.

There will come a time when you’ll figure out the one and only life rule, which is that life has no rules. In this world nothing can be said to be certain, and safety is an illusion. So use your time wisely. Don’t worry about the future and don’t dwell on the past. Instead, try to conquer the fine art of NOW.

Life is simply too short for stress yourself with frivolous stuff. Be pale and proud and save all that money you are currently spending at self-tanning saloons. Love yourself for what you are, with all your strenghts and all your flaws. Accept yourself as you are, even when others don’t.

Do not take backhanded compliments, harsh words and spiteful comments too personally. Unfortunately, people often seek their own blemishes in others. Nine times out of 10, it’s not about you, it’s about them.

Girl, you definitely need to learn how to set some boundaries, and once in a while you need to put your own needs and desires before everyone else’s. You aren’t and you’ll never be able to make everyone happy. But you should also bring your own ego under control. Ego is not your amigo.

You are not perfect. You’ll never be perfect. And that shouldn’t bother you, because we are born to be real, not to be perfect.

I know that you probably won’t truly understand this letter and all the stuff I wrote until you grow up, but that’s perfectly fine. Things fall into its own rightful place in its own time and at its own pace. In the meantime… Love. Travel. Explore. Live.

Also, few years from now, love that girl you once were, because if it wasn’t for her, you wouldn’t be the woman you are today.

Sincerely,

Your 30-Something Self

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