A letter from December 9th, 2015

Dear Future Lauren, 10 years ago you'll recall writing this letter. Or maybe you won't. It really depends on your memory. By then, you will be 26. Wow! That is so old. That's older than Sarah and Zac are now. You'll be an adult then, so I have a feeling you probably won't keep this stupid email address. But if so, I am so happy you have received this letter. I say now that I can't wait for you to receive this, but truth be told, I can. Because for future me to receive this letter, it means that so much of my teen hood and early adulthood has passed, and i'm not so sure I am ready for that. I have so many questions to ask and things to say, but i'll do my best to keep it short. First of all and most importantly, am I happy? Am i content doing whatever the **** it is that I am doing? Am i enjoying the course that i'm studying? Am i content with the job im working? Am i loving travelling across the world? Whatever it is, am I happy? If I am not happy, if i am sad or depressed or frustrated and anxious, leave. Leave whatever it is that makes you feel like that. Speaking of anxious, how is my anxiety coming along? Are you finding a way to deal with it? At this point in time, im not. I am still struggling with it every day. Sometimes to the point where I really find it hard to go through my usual activities but I know it'll all work out in the end. Just writing this now is bringing on an attack, but this is something I really want to do :) In the world, there have been a lot of threats of WW3 after everything with Paris and Syria. I hope not. That in particular makes me worried. I wonder if im dating someone.. I probably should be by 26, but it's not something that I expect. 26 is still young, and I don't intend on getting married for another couple years. If i don't have a boyfriend by then, don't freak out and become one of those girls who make it their goal. You're more than that. God forbid I have a kid at 26. Too many things in life I plan to do that I know a kid would get in the way of. Lastly, please make sure you're staying in contact with mum and dad. I don't know whats happening in 2025, but here in 2015, you love your parents. More than life itself. Remind mum how beautiful she is, and remind dad how much you love him. Do both at least once a day. Mum and dad are the greatest people in the world. i'm struggling now to figure out a way to fully describe how amazing they are. So if you are fighting, or just not as close, fix it. And remember that even though mum's depression and dad's OCD may make them hard to live with, you recently haven't been a bundle of joy. So please make sure they remain important people in your life. PS: I hope you scored your dream job, that would be wonderful. But remember, if you're not there yet, there is time. And loads of it. Stay groovy xxxxx