Dear Young Me,

From a country you haven't yet been and a period that looks like light years away to your impressionable young eyes, I am writing to you. In this world, phones have become more intelligent than our outdated family computer, and your dreams—the ones you're too afraid to speak out loud have found their rightful place in the sun.

First of all, do you recall the summer we turned thirteen and you felt uncomfortable with who you were? You should know that everything is well. You'll discover that the most brilliant individuals frequently develop into late bloomers who steal the show after spring. You'll come across your tribe—a diverse group of people who adore you for who you are, not for your flaws.

Do you have that guitar in the corner of your room collecting dust? Take it up. It will be among your greatest choices, I assure you. In addition to plucking tunes, the strings will build a tapestry of memories and friendships for you. And that tune you can't stop creating in your brain? It will become more than simply a shower song eventually.

Do you recall Dad saying, "Chase experiences, not things" all the time? He is accurate. Young me, you'll go farther than the tattered pages of our ancient atlas. You'll meet people who speak languages you'll learn with laughter and gestures, and you'll see sunsets that cast the sky in colors you can't quite identify.

And love? Love will arrive like a quiet storm on a summer day. It won't be the fairytale you're scripting in your diary, but it'll be real, raw, and replenishing. Love will teach you, heal you, and inspire you. But it will also test you. Be brave.

I wish to alert you about the impending difficulties. You will encounter seemingly insurmountable obstacles. You will have times when you want to give up. But you underestimate your strength, believe me. You will become stronger with every obstacle you face, making me even more proud of you than I already am.

And those dreams, the big, bright, seemingly impossible ones? Chase them. Some will elude you, but others? Others will embrace you in the most unexpected moments.

I can’t tell you everything, young me, for your journey is yours to explore. But I can promise you this: it’s a journey worth taking, a story worth living. So, go live it boldly, with your heart wide open and your head held high.

With love and unending support,

Your Older Self