During my senior year of high school, my English teacher gave us an assignment. We were to write a letter to our future selves. Back then, I swore I knew where I would be when I would read that letter again: Living the high life in New York, a magazine editor by day and a darling socialite by night. There was no question in my mind. My fate was sealed. End. Of. Story.
I found a copy of that letter a few years ago, and I got to thinking about where I am. Maybe you’ve asked yourself that looming question: Am I where I want to be in life? Some days I think I should be doing more in life, and it can be really easy to get down on myself. That little voice creeps in; you know, the one that finds fault with every tiny thing and never misses an opportunity to criticize. I know I need to learn to silence that inner voice and learn to be happy with where I am. Today. Right now. At this moment. Because, as my mother is always pointing out, “the present moment is all we have.”
And I can’t forget about the happiness I wrote of in that letter 11 years ago. I told my future self that I wanted to be happy. It was something that seemed so easy to the 18-year-old me at the time, at a time when life was all about being carefree and looking at life through innocent eyes. For now, for today, if I can find just a shred of that happiness, maybe that will be enough.
Where are you in your life right now, friends?
[Photos via Beautiful adieu]
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Wendy says
At the risk of sounding like a Rolling Stones song just because you're not where you want to be doesn't mean you're not where you need to be. Besides, 30 is young (you'll realize that when you turn 40). Who knows what the future will bring!
Melissa Blake says
So true, wendy…the rolling stones were wise! 🙂
Amy says
I'm turning 25 this month and I've been contemplating this very thing lately. I know 25 isn't old (at all!), but I'm nowhere near where I thought I'd be by the time I hit that milestone. I've been trying to be satisfied with where I'm at, especially this month, so this post is perfectly timed! Your mom (and the Stones) are right!
ag. says
I love this post.
I know when I was younger, I'd never been able to pinpoint exactly where I saw myself but I always said I'd be happy and successful. Well, I am definitely happy but my success is something I'm working on right now. I think that as you get older, your path is always changing and where you are is where you are meant to be…even if it's not where you thought you'd be.
Melissa Blake says
i definitely agree, ag! 🙂 i'm really starting to think that things do happen for a reason. sometimes, we don't know what that reason is until later, but we do get to where we're meant to be.
Monique says
Happy Birthday!! I think to want happiness at 18 years old is wonderful. Have a wonderful weekend
Tonia says
At 18 I'd decided that by 30 I was going to be a world-famous author, travelling, apartments in different cities, not settling with one person, and most certainly no children.
Now, at 35, I've done almost the complete opposite: I couldn't be more rooted if I tried!
But I'm content here. Oh, and I do have a half-finished manuscript, but these days, who doesn't?
Don't be so hard on yourself: life will always overtake the plans you make.
Blue says
Writing a letter to your future self is such a great idea. I wrote one to myself before going abroad in High School for a year, and reading it after returning was amazing. I'm going to write one now, before starting college, and read it after I graduate.