A letter from Feb 12, 2025

Dear FutureMe, Thanks for clarifying! Let me adjust the tone a bit: I Met My Younger Self for Coffee I was already seated, stirring a cappuccino, when she walked in—my younger self, maybe fifteen or sixteen, her eyes full of ambition, questions, and just the faintest edge of doubt. She spotted me, hesitated for a moment, then approached the table. “So,” she said, sliding into the chair across from me. “What’s this about?” I smiled. “I thought you might like an update. Curious?” Her arms crossed, a familiar defensive move. “I guess. What’s the future like? Am I doing anything that matters?” I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. “You’d be proud. You’re working on things that challenge you—like designing smart traffic lights that can sense traffic flow and adjust on their own. And you’re digging into science that feels like magic: reclaiming valuable materials from old Li-ion batteries. Oh, and you haven’t let go of debating—you’re leading a team now. Inspiring people, making arguments sharper than ever.” Her face softened at that, but she tried not to show it. “Still love a good debate,” she murmured, almost to herself. “But… what about the stuff that doesn’t work out?” I nodded. “There’s plenty of that. Projects that stall, experiments that don’t pan out, days where nothing feels enough. But you learn to keep moving. You find out that every misstep teaches you something, and the big picture starts coming together.” She looked down at the table, quiet. “What about feeling like… like I’m not doing enough? That I’m not enough?” Her vulnerability caught me off guard, but I smiled gently. “You’ll feel like that sometimes. You’ll worry you’re not moving fast enough, achieving enough. But here’s the thing: it’s not about the destination. It’s about the passion you bring to every step. You’re not supposed to have it all figured out right now. Just keep chasing what excites you, and everything will fall into place.” She gave me a skeptical look, then smiled despite herself. “Alright. I guess that’s… good to hear.” She stood, tugging at her jacket. Before leaving, she turned back, grinning. “Don’t mess it up for me, okay?” And with that, she was gone, leaving me with a quiet gratitude for the girl who started it all—the one who refused to stop asking questions, who turned her doubts into drive, and who never gave up.