A letter from Aug 26, 2022

Dear FutureMe, How’s it been? I hope you crossed that stage or else all my good grades and late nights up doing homework were for nothing. GUESS WHAT- you got edgars snap. As of right now, it’s 2022 and I’m in Ms. Benedict’s Honors English 1 class and all I can think about is getting home and taking a much-needed nap. Graduating from Gulf Coast seems like a long time from now considering I just started my freshmen year, but all those days you felt like throwing up because of how anxious you were don’t matter – they just don’t. You transitioned smoothly into highschool and liked the schedule, but the classes themselves have been a bit rocky for me. I noticed as everyone went to join their friends from last year as none of mine even went to the same school as me. Yes, I had Brixhida and Kaltrina, but Brixhida is going to graduate soon and its not like I see Kaltrina besides mornings and lunch. As much as you told yourself you didn’t care, you did, but it’s easier said than done. Overthinking every little thing that happens to you will only cause you stress, so I know it’s going to be hard but just let it go and move on. Soon after this you’ll be deciding which college to go to, preferably a community college I hope, and you’ll see that there are people there just like you. FGCU and FSW were great choices, but at this point I’ll be happy if you even attend college. When you read this, don’t stress, take a gap year, and only attend classes that interest you. If college doesn’t end up being for you then it’s okay. Don’t let others make you think you threw your life away by “not getting a good education.” I wouldn’t exactly say you were obsessed with cars, but you did have your eye on a couple and did your own research on them. Specifically, a Dodge Hellcat 2020 model with your own modifications of course. It feels like you need a car by 16/17 because that’s the usual age teens get their licenses, but its okay to just save up and buy one when you have the time and money for one. Don’t trip and stress over the money because I know once you start, you’re gonna spiral and become obsessed with the fast cash. You’ve always been worried about money even though we weren’t broke, and I’m here to reassure you. You are okay! Nothing bad is going to happen. Spend that extra birthday money I promise it will just come back Did Publix ever end up calling you in for that interview? They lost a real hard worker if they didn’t. Babi always asked me to do his paperwork for him but working with your family didn’t really seem like a real job at that time. Hopefully, Royal Scoop took you in and you made hundreds in tips alone alongside your sister. But, you are 18 now so that probably means you’re looking for a more serious job than scooping ice cream for arrogant customers. If you changed your mind about becoming a forensic scientist (again) then I at least hope your doing something useful with your time or working as a server like mami said. The salary won’t exactly be steady, and there will be days where you go home with little to no money, but you’ll meet new people along the way. Wow – 13 years of school completed just like that. It feels like just yesterday my mom was dragging me in the car for my first day of kindergarden. Remember Nicki’s song as your crossing that stage and don’t let anybody steal that moment from you: “This is my moment, I waited all my life I could tell it’s time.” Always go after what you want and seize those opportunities because you’ll never be this age again. It’s hard sometimes but if I knew in this moment that you walked across that stage it would have all been worth it. Sincerely, Your 14 year old self, Dea P.S., think your better than everyone to get that confidence up because right now it is way too low