A letter from Jan 03, 2025

Dear Future Sam, It’s 2025, and this year marks a turning point in your life. College applications, turning 18—this year symbolizes the beginning of adulthood. You’ve been through a lot in 2024—pain, misunderstandings, and stress. And while those hardships may resurface, remember: life isn’t just about struggles. For every obstacle you face, there will also be moments of joy and memories you’ll cherish. I know you’ve often felt overwhelmed, wishing to escape or numb the pain. But I want to remind you that life holds so much more than the challenges staring back at you right now. You work tirelessly to mend everything—your relationships with friends, family, and relatives; your grades, your discipline, even your self-image. Yet, some things will remain beyond your control, and that’s okay. You’re not a god. You can’t perform miracles. And that’s okay. People will come and go from your life—and that’s okay too. You’ll clash with others, love them, hate them, forgive them, and maybe hate them again. You won’t always get satisfactory scores, and while that’s not ideal, what matters is your effort to improve. Life isn’t always fair or predictable. People will see different sides of you—some might call you harsh, while others will call you kind. You’ve always tried so hard—fixing relationships, improving yourself, and striving for perfection. But not everything can be repaired, and not everything needs to be. Some connections will remain strained despite your efforts, and that’s okay. A bond doesn’t have to be flawless to hold love within it. It’s complicated, isn’t it? There’s love there, deep and unwavering, but it’s tangled in misunderstandings, expectations, and sometimes harsh words. Life is messy like that. People will love you in imperfect ways, and you’ll do the same. Sometimes you’ll fight with them, and sometimes you’ll feel like no one understands you. But even in the hardest moments, remember: love can exist in the silences, the disagreements, and even in the mistakes. Above all, remember this: you’re human. You have dreams—to be kind, helpful, and loving. And those dreams are worth pursuing. Don’t let the struggles you face today define your entire purpose. Life doesn’t stop at 18—it stretches far beyond. Growth isn’t linear, and you don’t have to get everything right the first time. This is your first chance at life, after all; you don’t have to be too harsh on yourself. Some people will see only your flaws, while others will recognize your light. Neither perspective defines you completely. Only you can truly love yourself for both of your sides, and one day, you’ll find someone who will understand and accept your complexities. Life won’t always make sense, and you won’t always feel in control. But that’s what makes it beautiful. It’s in the unspoken apologies, the quiet acts of love, and the way you keep showing up even when it’s hard. Keep trying. Keep learning. Keep loving. Let life be the reason you continue to live, not just survive. Embrace the uncertainty and beauty of this journey. Together, let’s discover what it means to truly live meaningfully and love life for all that it is. With love, Sam