Be A Warrior, Not A Worrier.

Hi Darling, As Libra season approaches, and 30 is peeking through the windows... I thought I'd send you a letter from 26 year old you. Three years from now. As we know, you tend to get Birthday Blues and I knew by the time your thirties came knocking on the door you'd be freaking out. Probably hyperventilating... haha but I know you'll be alright. The purpose of this letter is to reassure you. So please, do us both a favor: reread the subject line, play Cigarettes After *** or FKJ and inhale/exhale :) Quick overview: At 26, you became a lot of things. Self-aware. Fearless. Single. Calm. Driven. Focused. Happy. Healthy even! Who would have thought that there is actually a way out of the dark abyss of nothingness we call depression? To have lived with that from 14-26yo is insane. I bet 3 years later it's still a shocker you're no longer there. How are we doing? Are you still in therapy? Did you ever go to your solo-trip? Traveling? Still working 2 jobs? Do we finally have enough for a down payment?? Still going to the gym? Did we finally grow our glutes? HAHA. Love wasn't in your plans at 26 (you were single for a year and decided you loved it). You might have became a lot of positive things but you were still stubborn. You said you didn't care for love anymore but the hopeless romantic in you, longing for a love so genuine, says otherwise. Secretly we both knew that, you just acted "tough" haha. Please tell me you outgrew that phase. Remember, stay TRUE TO YOURSELF. Your standards at 26 were pretty high and you were adamant about NEVER lowering them again so I do wonder if someone came along your way and met those standards? Proving to you that genuine love does exist... Enough overview and catching up... I heard your thirties are your prime years. Instead of feeling anxious try feeling grateful for how far you've come along. Celebrate your successes, your growth, how much more wise you've become. Celebrate the work YOU did to heal your traumas. You're going into your thirties almost brand new. Free of the pain from your twenties. Travel more. Live more. Spread more kindness - but not too much or you'll get taken advantage of. Remember to keep steady, never falter. If you ever feel not-yourself, the do a recall and remember: every time you give yourself away and pour yourself into everyone else when they need "help"... you end up losing parts of yourself. Prioritize yourself. Take care of you first. Let go of toxic people, groups etc. Set boundaries. The moment you start to feel like you aren't you it's because you're giving yourself a little too much. So take a step back, set time for you. Do things you love. Be alone. Write. Watch the sunset or rise. Take a small trip. Love yourself. Get a facial and prepare for your birthday next month. Get your nails done. Buy a new outfit. Take pictures! Take those pictures you've been dying to take with flowers for your 30th. Also, please, let's start a new trend where we don't cry on every birthday. If you can do that, you're letting go of toxic habits, remember? Try it. Remember, when no one else is there for you... I am. Until next time. I love you. Happy early Birthday, make a wish! Sincerely, Twenty-Six Year Old You <3