A letter from Apr 15th, 2021

Dear FutureMe, This is the first letter I've written to you, but perhaps not the first you have received. Right now, I am in my room in Puerto Rico writing this letter on April 15th, 2021 at 7:39pm. The world is in the midst of a pandemic. Almost 3 million people have died because of COVID-19. I have spent a little more than a year at home. I can say that, as of now, the times I have gone out since the pandemic started have not been more than 30. I have been strict with this because I not only had to protect myself, but my 63-year-old mother who's immunocompromised and my 91-year-old father. As a graduate student, I threw myself into my work and practice. I dedicated my time to improving my clinical knowledge and making the right decisions for my career. I know that I worked hard this year and I am so proud of it, because I used to feel like I had no motivation and no strength to continue my studies. I also tried out new activities and hobbies and improved my sleeping patterns (though lately, it seems like I live in the night!). It has been just a year like this, but I feel like I've gotten to know myself better in that short amount of time. I've had many times of solitary reflection when I have acknowledged my strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, beliefs, emotions and thoughts. I've also come to terms with my regrets, frustrations, anger and sadness towards my life situation and the way I have grown up until now. I am 26, but I feel like my life has not started yet. I feel like I had to go through a second phase of a more adultier adolescence for me to be ready to face the world. This year I will be done with all my course requirements, and by next year I should be in my internship. I still haven't decided if I want to become a child psychologist or a child neuropsychologist, but I guess I'll know by the time I read this letter again. I want you to know that I felt sad and isolated during this time, but also felt hopeful that I would enjoy happier times in the future. I hope my life has been at least mildly shaped into what I've always wanted for myself. I hope I have fewer worries. I hope I enjoy the place I work at and the projects I have. If there's a special person in my life, it would be nice, so I can share my happiness with them too. I also hope I have a nice place to live, a safe haven, where I can be myself and enjoy all my hobbies. I hope I am happy and that people have been happy around me too.