A letter from Jan 25, 2025

Dear Future Me, “Just let them. If they want to choose something or someone over you, LET THEM. If they want to go weeks without talking to you, LET THEM. If they are okay with never seeing you, LET THEM. If they are okay with always putting themselves first, LET THEM. If they are showing you who they are and not what you perceived them to be, LET THEM. If they want to follow the crowd, LET THEM. If they want to judge or misunderstand you, LET THEM. If they act like they can live without you, LET THEM. If they want to walk out of your life and leave, hold the door open, AND LET THEM. Let them lose you. You were never theirs because you were always your own. So let them.” Personally, reflecting on their negative behavior towards me has led me to appreciate and love myself more, convincing me to start letting them go. I love how this poem begins by making you realize that you deserve better and that doing so is the right thing for your heart and mental health. As the poem continues, it starts taking a different turn. After the hurt and the pain, we often make changes in our personalities, developing different kinds of fears and setting boundaries for the next people we’ll meet. Experiences help us somehow, they make us aware of what might happen in the future. “Let them show you who they truly are, not tell you. Let them prove how worthy they are of your time. Let them make the necessary steps to be a part of your life. Let them earn your forgiveness. Let them call you to talk about ordinary things. Let them take you out on a Thursday. Let them talk about anything and everything just because it’s you they are talking to. Let them have a safe place in you. Let them see the heart in you that didn’t harden. Let them love you.” — Cassie Phillips "Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know." one of the greatest tragedies in life is that you will always be loved more than you ever know. someone in your class finds your presence inviting and warm, even if you've only exchanged a few words with them or maybe none at all. someone on the street loves your smile and it brightens their path for the next few blocks. someone you used to be friends with still wishes to fondly call your name. even someone you were friends with five years ago would give anything to be in the same room as you today. someone who regularly comes into work is dissapointed when you aren't there to brighten their day. someone missed you today. someone noticed when you were gone. someone loves you when your there. someone loves you when your nowhere to be found at all. you may think you have always dissapeared when your no longer in the picture but you never left the frame. you have a purpose. you are meant to be here. follow your dreams. work through all the pain and hardships. you deserve a good life.