A letter from January 14th, 2020

Dear FutureMe, how's life going? If it's been great, congratulations! Keren. I know the storm would eventually pass if you hold on. Bener kan? Kamu pasti bisa. You are stronger than you know, and it proves to be right. I'm so happy. But if it's been awful: I'm sending you warm virtual hugs and my shoulders so you could cry as loud as you can. From what I learned when I was 23 (the time I wrote this letter), when something bad happens: it would end. The storm would pass--sooner or later, but it would definitely be over and you could start your life all over again. Breathe, and keep holding on. Akan datang hari yang baik, karena kamu nggak bakalan sedih kayak gini terus selamanya. This too will pass. Remember the good old days you spent on the beach, feeling the cold sea water beneath your feet, those warm breeze touching your face as you look at the sunset: it's not over yet. Kamu nggak papa, semuanya bakal baik-baik aja. Believe me. Tarik napas yang panjang. Your younger self here is also (seemingly) failing her life right now. But she could still smile and enjoy the sparks in her life, her YOLO soul isn't fading yet! Hakuna Matata, because being afraid and worrying won't do anything either. The world might fell apart, but you still have time. It's your choice to make it a happy one, or a sad one. If you asked me: I would choose the happy one. Come on! Kalau sekarang aku aja bisa seneng, kenapa kamu saat ini enggak? It's never too late. It's never too soon. It's only a bad day, not a bad life. Allah kasih semua hal secara adil, cuma kita aja mau ambil apa enggak. I hope you live a better life, Yasmine. Myself in the future. Ingat hidup bukan melulu secara materi atau fisik yang fana dan rapuh dimakan waktu; tapi yang terpenting adalah kamu yang tetap utuh dalam diri, dalam jiwa. Yasmine, 23 years old. Writing this letter inside my room in Jalan Prameswari 1 Solo, ditemani boneka beruang pink dari bapak dan ayam geprek UNS dari uangnya mama yang harusnya buat fotokopi skripsi.