Ten Years from Now and Then

In middle school, I remember working paintstakingly on a collage project for an 8th grade honors bio course. In addition to our favorite things, we were required to represent where we saw ourselves in ten year’s time. I carefully cut out cover images from the mail-in subscription cards tucked into the treasured copies of my favorite teen magazine. Surrounding a photo of myself rocking a graduation cap and gown colored in with black sharpie, I glued the covers to the page with the words, “Future Editor-in-Chief” above in bold lettering.

Today, I met with a former editor in chief of that very magazine. We sat in her apartment overlooking magnificent views of the Brooklyn Bridge as she offered sage advice about navigating the industry. She also told me I have a great, fluid voice and that I will definitely find a job.

While I will need to find said job very soon, it is so reassuring to hear that someone who has achieved success in the field believes in my voice. It is easy to doubt yourself as a young writer, but it was also easy for 13 year old me to envision myself at 23 working at my dream job.

Recently, when I thought all my dreams had come crashing down, a good friend reminded me that I am living the very reality I imagined as a young girl. I’ve been building this future for myself all along. That young girl knew what she wanted and believed in herself. Now, I do too.