A letter from Feb 24, 2026

Dear FutureMe, This one doesn't have any specific goal or sentiment. I just felt like sending something. How's it going? I watched a short YouTube video about burnout recently and I've been thinking about it. It talked about rest and defined it in a few different categories. According to those I really haven't been resting as much as I think I have because in my mind the task is never finished. Anyway I'm just trying to avoid getting burned out again. I'm going to try to be a good parent to myself. I always think that I would be a good parent because I wouldn't make the mistakes my parents did and I would be an active and caring parent but I'm not parenting myself all that well. If I were a good parent to myself I wouldn't be burning myself out, beating myself up and staying stuck in my parents house. Given the situation im in now, I think being a good parent to myself would mean -staying away from bad stuff on Reddit, Instagram and so on. I've given up short form content for lent -giving myself good role models and engaging with their content instead. Jane Goodall, jade bowler, Erin Mcgoff and Cassey ho are the current ones - trying again with university but not attaching my self worth to the outcome. Knowing I can't be hurt like before by academic failure. Good things could come from finishing it and nothing awful can come from not getting it - tapping into hope. Every time you care for yourself you're showing hope. You have hopes for your future -encourage myself to exercise and meet friends Being mindful of what I consume online is huge. My optimism about the world has changed in a matter of days after deleting Reddit and staying off it. Lent is a nice motivation to give up things. I was able to push though as a kid so I can now too. I noticed the reward immediately. You might still live at home and that's ok. I really believe in mental health gains so I hope you're further along in that if not in the game of life. You'll be ok. Aging is inevitable but there are no other rules