A letter from Aug 10, 2023

Dear Hannah, Never forget the little joys of life. I know how cliché that sounds, but I hope you know how true it rings. Watching Soul and reading The Midnight Library, I saw myself in the main characters. I am constantly hyperfocused on making "it." Doing well for myself. Paying my parents back for the time and hard work they have done. While it is important to be goal focused and ambitious, I hope you also think of the little things that make you happy. No. They do not make you lazy and yes, it is okay to have an off-day once in a while. Not everything is running toward the end. There is no finish line at the end of the day. The imaginary finish line is constantly shifting forward, so do not tie your happiness to crossing that finish line. At the end of the day, there will be another checkered finish line at its place. Enjoy drinking coffee at random times in the day. Enjoy watching brain numbing YouTube videos and clips. Give yourself time and space to grow. I keep having to remind myself this, so I hope in 3 years from now, you remember this and continue growing and being happy. I hope you are doing well. If you are not, that's fine too because you will do better and everything you have worked for will work out. Love, Hannah