20 Years ago, I was a teenager. And this letter is to that girl who has had her heart broken, had trust issues and moreover, feared for her Mom’s life.
Dear Teenage Me,
I know you are going through tough times. But I promise you, Mom will get better soon. She is weak from all the life-sucking chemotherapy and radiation sessions. Be strong and be there for your Dad. He is going through the worst phase of his life.
You are currently in high school and I know how much it sucks. Especially, in a Military school for boys. Just because Dad teaches at the school, you decided to be a day scholar and share the same fate as the other nine girls. How unfortunate and how you wish you’d a girlfriend, for all the giggles, secrets and happiness.
Your best friendships are yet to come– friends who will stay up late with conversations that never cease, friends who will encourage you to make ‘better’ choices and not to ‘compromise’ yourself for people who are not worth it. I would also like to add, not to let anyone treat you as a choice. You are so much better than to be treated without respect.
You will learn that grades and marks are not always everything in life. You will understand that even when you score cent percent in your Biology classes, you will choose to become an Engineer. In order to keep your sanity alive, do things that you love doing. Compere, Debate, and most importantly, Dance more. It’s the one thing you have always been proud of and so are your Mom and Dad. Pursue it always, at least as a hobby. You will know what difference it will make in your life.
I am not saying that things will change drastically. Our futures are unpredictable.
You will meet cute boys and your heart will be broken a zillion times. But remember. You learn from your mistakes and you’ll make choices that will allow you to sail smoothly. This lesson will be learnt in the most brutal of ways though. But don’t push away what you have and don’t run from it too. Let yourself fall to the point of insanity. Make sure that you tell him how you feel because you’re going to learn that he matters so much. Pretty soon, he’s going to break your heart and you’re going to think you’re dying, but it should not be because you let him walk away.
Give a chance. To Love, Friendships and all relationships. It’s never too late to rekindle. I know that you love to be independent. But there are circumstances when you simply need other people. Okay. So, don’t roll your eyes. You will need a person just to tell you that things will be alright, to give you a hug, and lend a shoulder to lean on. Don’t assume and start asking.
Love people in a beautiful way. Everyone has problems. People may not treat you nicely. They may lash out on you. Learn to forgive and forget. Always try to bring a smile to someone’s face. Be someone’s hope.
Your parents are your everything. You’ll grow into a beautiful person who will love and respect your parents more than anything else in the world. You’ll be their dear darling daughter who will do anything to keep them happy. They’ll be your strength, your hope.
Last but not the least, stop blaming yourself for all the evil in the world. Start giving yourself a little more credit. Know that I am full of admiration for you. No one would have survived all that! Know that you are special, brave and courageous. Simply Know That.
Love Always,
Me.
I am co-hosting #WordsMatter Monthly Blog Hop along with Corinne from The Frangipani Creative and Parul from Happiness and Food. The prompt for this month is ‘20 Years Ago I…’ and this is the fourth edition.
There are 28 of us on this Blog Hop and it will be spread over three days – 1, 2, and 3 November. Do follow the #WordsMatter Blog Hop and prepare to be surprised! The next blog hop will only be next month. So stay on the lookout in the last week of this month for the announcement of the prompt.
If you are participating, feel free to grab this badge!
I received this tag from Corinne and it is my pleasure to pass on the tag to Parul.
Please read the posts of the three hosts (us!) and the posts of the bloggers you link up. It would be great if you could read all the posts and share as many as you can on social media.
Have a wonderful celebration of words because Words Matter!
Find the complete list of blogs participating in the Blog Hop!
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I wish I got a letter like this in my teenage. I might not have studied hard and enjoyed life to some extent 🙂
Love this letter and it is true for many of us including me. Time teaches us so much that we can look back and smile. Good one, Shalini and in a way I enjoyed knowing a little more about you.
Parul Thakur recently posted…20 years ago, I.. #WordsMatter
More power to you Shalini for writing this beautiful letter which is very therapeutic on issues faced by a teen during growing years. Our perception of the tiny world we choose to reside in, love and breakups or family matters. How true! I didn’t know about your Mom’s health issue but requires strength to write about.
Hugs n Light.
Just loved it !!!
This letter is so true and you actually wrote a letter not only about your teenage self but also mine. I lost my mother in 1998 and I was going through a horrible time, trying to take care of my dad and the house. I also got my heartbroken when I broke up with my childhood best friend because she suddenly realized that I was a boring and sad girl. Every word in this letter resonates with me.
You are writing to almost all teenagers all around the world. The most emotional times of our lives they were! Good to know that there are more people in the world who have been through a lot and come out successful. It is always necessary to keep reminding ourselves that.
Jyothi Nair recently posted…The Sheesha Story
This is such a beautiful letter. Loved the message that you have conveyed. I wish someone wrote me a letter like this while growing up.
Reema D’souza recently posted…Can I hit reset? #WordsMatter
A heartfelt and beautiful letter, Shalini! It addresses the experiences, pain and issues teens go through. I wish I had read this years ago! Good to know a bit more about you through this letter. 🙂
Beautiful! Specially the part about never allowing yourself to be treating like a choice. More women should learn that lesson early on!
This is so deeply personal and touched me very deeply, Shalini. Thank you for sharing. ♥
What a straight from the heart letter Shalini. Those are words of such wisdom. Each of those spoke to me. And they hold valid even for adults, not just teens.
Obsessivemom recently posted…Throwback Times
I am loving this series and getting a chance to know more about everyone and how they are in a better situation today.
This was once of the sweetest things I have ever read. I had tears in my eyes both for that teenaged girl and the woman she has become .
Such a lovely and encouraging letter to your teenage self. Teens are the times when one can easily get distracted or focussed. I like the way you have tried to explain to your teenage self every point.
Shubhra Rastogi recently posted…What I Would Love to Tell my Younger Self #WordsMatter
I only wish you could have read that letter 20 years ago.
Of course, you never would have believed it, anyway. You’d have found it and thought your mother wrote it. Nice of her to say those things, but of course you’d have thought she didn’t have a clue what she was talking about. Only that she loved you, and you’d have been more scared for her. I’m glad she was stronger than you thought. You shouldn’t have to worry so, when you’re young.
Holly recently posted…That Which We Tolerate, and That Which We Don’t
It’s so necessary that we learn to be kind to ourselves first, give ourselves some credit first! It’s what will help us rise in our own eyes.
Loved your heartfelt expressions to your younger self, Shalini!
I had a lump in my throat as I read your letter. <3
What a lovely letter to write to your teenage self, Shalini! If only we received something like this back then, right? You have grown into a beautiful sensible woman. ❤
Vinitha recently posted…Reading with Kids
Such a beautiful and sensible letter Shalini ♥️ . Thank you for sharing. I keep writing a journal to myself very often when ever I feel low. It always lifts my spirits.
that’s a beautiful and heart warming letter. Going through the vulnerabilities of teenage years alone can be overwhelming. I loved how reassuring your words sound. Something we all must have wished to hear during those years.
Rajlakshmi recently posted…The day my brain turned into a cabbage
You prompted me to write a letter to my son, he is entering his teen next year and these are words he will exactly want to hear. loved the letter
Oh thats one sweet letter filled with such gracious advice. My heart breaks for that teenager and hugs to her for all the pain she went through. Being friendless can be very painful but am glad she found awesome relationships later in life.
Your advice on falling to the point of insanity and declaring the love all out is fantastic – thats how love should be and should be felt too!
some great advice you have there for your teen self. I am so sorry you had to deal with a lot of difficult things – more power to you. love
Jyoti Babel recently posted…20 Years Ago #WordsMatter