There’s something poignant about celebrating the launch of Ask Apricot (via the lovely Apricot Tea) with asking US a question.
If you could write a letter to your younger self, giving advice for troubles that will happen in the future, what would it look like? What would you say? Would the letter be funny, or would it be serious?
So long ago, I posted Lessons in Hindsight, with tips I would share with my younger self.
They all hold true.
But over a year later, there are more things I would add.
♥ Dear Lil’ Ashe Mischief,
As you grow older, there are other things that will grow with you– your sexual expertise (you’re a bobcat in the sack, trust me!), your waistline (but remember, it can shrink!), and sadly, your fears. As you grow older, you may start to lose that spark and spunk and you had in your teen years and in to your early 20s. You’ll lose some of your tenacity, your stubbornness, your strength.
Scary things will happen to you; they will make you feel you’ve lost control of your life, that your opinions, beliefs, and well-being don’t matter.
They don’t matter to others.
They do matter to yourself.
You’re a hell of a woman to have made it through them, and it takes strength & conviction that most lack to have made it through the worst still fighting tooth & nail.
You’re strong; you’re fierce; you’re a joy to be around and, to some (though they may not realize it), a pretty perfect woman. Your heart knows no boundaries when it comes to love, adventure, and excitement, and your mind will always be at its best when you’re forcing yourself to continually learn.
Don’t let yourself get too scared to live. Don’t let yourself get too scared to love. Don’t let yourself stop dancing, because your partner watches your butt shake. Don’t compromise too much, and remember to give a fierce fist and mouth back to the ones you love (they need the punch to the gut as much as you do so often). Don’t lose your optimism, but don’t lose your realism. Don’t lose your love of the world, your love of food, and your love of beautiful things, but learn to live with them in a healthy manner.
Most of all, don’t lose sight of yourself, your strengths, your beautiful weaknesses, your passions and ambitions, and your sweet, sweet guilty pleasures. Make yourself your #1 priority in life, and enjoy it.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I adore this letter; it’s funny, it’s down to earth, but most importantly it’s honest. There’s a reality to it that I think most people aren’t able to admit to themselves.
Thank you so much for contributing, Ashe. Consider yourself entered in the contest! & good luck. :]
It sounds sort of like a horoscope, a very positive one. You should read this everyday. Maybe I should too, and pretend it’s to me. Oh man, I would feel like such a badass.
You ARE strong. I love this letter, because it’s so true, especially that last paragraph. I hope you follow your own advice and never stop seeking the dreams and adventures that make YOU happy.
I love this! It’s so poignant and honest! I agree that as you age, you lose some things you once had and I love “Most of all, don’t lose sight of yourself, your strengths…Make yourself your #1 priority in life, and enjoy it.” Truer words couldn’t have been written. Bravo sweetie.
I lope how open you are in this letter. Thank you for sharing. =)
Lovely Post! hmmm I would say ” Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen, Botox can only do so much”!
Seriously, I would probably encourage myself to enjoy the moment more and put value into the kinds of people I invite into my life.
I’m afraid if I warned my younger self, she might not enjoy being carefree for the short time she has. is that totally pessimistic?
hehe, i love natatnya’s letter!
oh dear… you are so kind to yourself!
i would probably say something snarky like ‘do your homework, and take a foreign language class… take a lot of them.’
oh, and i’d probably say something like ‘it doesn’t matter if you’re beautiful or not.. you’re beautiful if you treat yourself like a beautiful person… really that’s all it takes.’
and… ‘you’re not dumb, so go do your homework.’
That’s a great letter and very inspiring to a younger self!
I love this idea! Mine would go something like:
Dear younger Frankie,
They may call them “slug lips” now, but boys will like your massive lips when they grown up – trust. Also, stop wearing baggy jeans and dying your hair black! You look ridiculous.
Much love,
Frankie
x
@apricot tea. – Thank YOU for the prompt, dear! It was difficult to write, so I’m glad that the honesty & thoughtfulness of it came across.
@Lara – @Alicia – @ClandestineChic – @Mallory – You’re all so sweet! Thank you for the kind & encouraging words on this.
@Stylish Thought – Thank you SO much! I think self-identity is becoming more of a conscious thing for me lately, especially as I work with women who are married & settled. There’s a lot to learn from your “elders” about such things!
@Natanya – Excellent point about enjoying life more, and especially about the people we invite in to our lives! I could definitely do more of that myself.
@tina – Not at all! There’s a fear in that, because if we could tell ourselves what the future would like, we’d change it all.
@Jennine – I think I’m more than snarky to myself most of the time ;) I’d also snark at myself to be more diligent in my foreign language classes! And saving money. God. How stupid I was at times.
@Frankie – Swell Vintage – Boys are so horrible when they are young! I love how playful, but sincere your letter is.
Oh this is superb. I wanna try.
Dear younger miku,
Stop thinking you’re weird because you listen to different music styles and you read lots of books. At least you’ll know what Schroedinger’s cat is. Also, stop worrying about your height, I am still looking for a guy taller than me, but having fun wearing heels and looking at receding hairlines. Have fun! Life’s short!
Oh I really love your blog. Do you mind if I bookmarked?
{ 1 trackback }