Dear Me: Letter to My 16-Year-Old Self
Dear Me,
Wow. You are almost 50. So glad you made it out of the '80s alive, with your brain cells fully intact and no hint of an STD. But wasn't it an interesting decade? I would say to you though, in order to make those years a little easier, be careful who you choose for a partner. Good looks don't necessarily equate to a good character. You will realize that the boys you overlook (because you were really quite superficial back then) will be the ones you should have given more than the time of day to. And guard your heart. You fall in love much too easily and for all the wrong reasons.
Make sure you don't lose that adventurous spirit of yours. There is a curiosity in you that burns bright. Fan that flame. It will lead you towards all sorts of interesting adventures. Trust your gut. You have good instincts. You know when something is not right: don't question that feeling, go with it. Our path is not planned or predestined, despite us wishing it were so. Don't feel guilty for taking the scenic route through life: It is an enjoyable way to travel.
You will achieve more educationally than you ever thought possible, but that's no surprise. We always knew we were smart. Don't worry too much about what you study -- you will make the right decision, even if it doesn't feel like it retrospectively. Just enjoy the process of learning.
Don't get caught up with family stuff. It will do your head in. You will never be able to win, so don't even try. You will have your own family, in your own way, and this will be enough for you. You will struggle for many years dealing with family stuff, but please don't. Let it go. It's just not worth tying yourself up in knots over. I know your teen years were hard and awful, but this time will pass, and soon enough you will be your own person, living your life, on your terms.
Men and work will be your two greatest challenges, probably for the same reasons. They seduce you with their promises of a better, more exciting life, but it is all smoke and mirrors. Work will be a series of jobs that you will find ultimately unsatisfying. You would be much better off concentrating on developing your writing and your art. And I would strongly recommend you becoming a photo-journalist; that way you can combine your two loves: photography and writing. Look out for The Italian in your late 30s. You will know him when you meet him. Do not give that man a second chance, for he will break your heart.
Travel sooner. There is a whole world out there waiting to be explored. Make sure you pack another change of clothes when you do go though, because you will have trouble in China with lost luggage. I'll take it one step further: Never trust an airline that says locating lost luggage is an easy process. It's not. Especially in China.
Look after your health. By about 30, you will struggle with your weight. It will sneak up on you, so buy yourself some scales and weigh yourself regularly. Take up running. You will be surprised how much you enjoy it. And you might as well skip that smoking phase. You won't sustain it past your 20s.
Oh, and you won't regret getting that tattoo. Don't listen to anyone who says you will.
Lots of love and respect,
Me xo
P.S. You are an incredibly resilient person and have a killer sense of humor. I love that about you. Don't ever lose that.
I published this post on The Diane Lee Project in November 2011. I still haven't found peace with the concept of work, but acknowledge the benefits it gives me. I turned 52 this year, and am I still want to give away my heart a little too easily to unworthy men -- some things never change!
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