Letter to myself at age 20

Letter to myself at age 20

…thanks to Dawn for her inspiration

Hey you! You’ve got your whole life ahead of you and I see that you’re wrapped up in a mess of anxiety again. In another 20 years, these problems will not amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world, so you might want to sit down to read this letter. I’ll try to be short and sweet.

Sleep! Get lots of sleep! Believe me, you’ll wish you could bank it, but the next two decades will find you in a sleep deficit with no bailout in sight.

Learn to depend upon your inner strength. You’ve inherited it from generations before you. You’ll need it in days to come.

Trust in God. It’s that simple. When you’re lost, God will guide you.

Read - anything and everything. If I know you, you’ll jump from one topic to the next plumbing the depths until something else catches your fancy. Just don’t stop reading. Knowledge is like chocolate to you – you can’t have enough.

Embrace silence. Learn to meditate. Pray.

Follow your instincts on men, friends and fashion. You’ve got a knack for finding good guys that love with their whole hearts.
Don’t marry the first serious one, though. You’ll know the one you should marry when you look into his eyes.

Gather around you friends that make you sing (or don’t mind if you sing). You can never have too many friends, as the saying goes. Each one will provide you with amazing opportunities for connection and love.

And dress for success. Yes, your mother calls you ‘conservative’ but you know what fits you best. Listen to her but continue with the same style. You’ll never regret any of your choices.

Get your head out of those books and learn to cook for goodness sake! Frozen meals heated in the microwave or oven do NOT count.

Be cautious – it’s your nature – but be willing to risk. The best opportunities in your life will occur because you took a chance and fell flat on your face. The falling is the worst part.

Start researching early childhood development. Just in case.

Listen to your grandparents and record their stories. You’ll want to refer back to them someday.

Don’t be afraid to be brilliant or to be funny.

Wander aimlessly. Explore the world and open your eyes to the wonder that surrounds you. If you’re inspired, pick up a pen and write.

Find your childhood diaries and journals. Carry them with you wherever you go.

Show your playful side. People think of you as ‘too serious’ even though you know that you’re not. Find the comedy in life and laugh.

Remember that forgiveness is blind.

Throw away your judgments. Know that you’re not perfect – and you shouldn’t try to be. Perfection is a never-ending quest. It will harm you in the long run.

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Don’t choose the shortest path. Find the road less travelled. And if a job transfer to St. Louis is offered, take it! Believe me, it will work out in ways you could never imagine.