A letter from Mar 31, 2025

Dear FutureMe, Hi, how are we? I hope we are happier than ever. By the time we have received this we have just turned 19! I feel like instead of celebrating, fear might be spiraling through us. Adulthood is within reach, I know. I'm at a point where curiosity, excitement, and agitation are washing over me, just imagining and envisioning what we are in there and how we've been through. As I write this letter, I'm in the place where everything is still unfolding, and although I let life run its course, I'm still trying to get a hold of all the decisions I make. I'm striving to balance academic life, personal growth, and all the moments in between. Honestly, right now I am full of questions of what lies ahead. I'm doing everything to make the life I aspired for the longest time however I am also uncertain about the path I am walking. Have we found the comfort and peace we wanted? Have we dealt with life with grace? Have we provided enough allowance for forgiveness in every mistake we've made? I hope so. Just as I hope for all those improvements, I wonder too about the relationships we've built. I hope we’ve surrounded ourselves with people who bring out the best in us, who make us feel seen and valued. I hope we've learned to withdraw ourselves from places we don't belong and from people who did us wrong. Have we learned how to love without conditions and let go of things that no longer serve us? I hope we've learned to let go of things holding us back. Above all, I hope we've stayed connected with ourselves. No matter how the world changes, I hope we've kept our hearts open, mind curious, and our soul free. We still have a long way to go, so toughen up and hold still! When you read this, I hope you feel a sense of pride for how far we've come even in the midst of haze. I am proud of you, and I am thankful for staying alive. Warmly, Joanna @18