A letter from Jun 7th, 2021

Dear Future Self Wherever you are in life right now, pause for a moment. Take a second to breathe in the air and take in your surroundings. Know how proud I am of you, how much I and others love you. Whether you get into Oxford or not, whether you pursue your passion for writing or find a new passion, whether you have a partner or not, and whatever your opinions about yourself may be, I want you to know you are successful, you are right where you should be in life. You are kind, courageous, passionate, loved, and no matter what you accomplish, you are worthy. Remember to nurture yourself, take time for yourself, and take it slow. Remember that your mental health is worth more than perfect grades or attendance, that things always happen for a reason. You are beautiful and marvelous, and anyone who thinks otherwise has no business in your life. Surround yourself with people that bring out the best in you, think quality over quantity. Stay hydrated, go on walks, get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet. Become inspired by everything around you, make it a daily habit to be in awe of the world and all it has to offer. Remember that feeling left out is natural, that you don´t need to be loud and boisterous if you don´t want to. Take chances but be cautious if you are unsure. Take every opportunity that comes to you, as long as you´re not sacrificing your mental health to do so. Make enough time for yourself, but don´t live in isolation. Don´t be afraid to cry, it really will help. Nostalgia and reminiscence are your friends, don´t forget the memories that have shaped who you are. Keep a journal and go to therapy if that will help your current state of mind. Read more books and listen to more music, take time to destress yourself. As long as you are happy, then you are successful. Be proud of who you are, after all, this is your life and you may choose how to live it.