A Letter to my Younger Self

By: Victoria D’Ariano

Victoria D'Ariano
Aug 9, 2017 · 3 min read

If I were to write a letter to my younger self, this is what I would say.

Dear Victoria,

You don’t know it yet but someday you’ll grow into the person writting this letter. Let me tell you a few things I would love for you to hear, and I know they are true, as yes this is the future you.

As much as at this time you might blame yourself for your parents divorce, you will realize one day it had absolutely nothing to do with you. Just because they didn’t have a successful marriage, does not mean you aren’t worthy of this.

You aren’t a failure because you never could get over the anxiety you had during racing in swimming. It leads you to exactly where you are meant to be. I know you think somedays you won’t overcome the darkness you feel and you wonder how you will continue to go, but you do, and you will be so thankful you did. Also know that this darkness you feel is nothing to be ashamed about and you aren’t the only one who goes through it. You aren’t alone, trust me.

I know how much you chase perfection and are constantly unhappy with yourself due to these standards you’ve set for yourself. Stop letting the external pressures of society consume you. I promise you that chasing “perfection” will leave you more unsatisfied and unhappy than ever. It isn’t until you start focusing on your own inner beauty that you will finally be happy. Yes your OWN beauty, you have so much and you don’t even know it yet. You are enough, I promise you.

I know how badly you want to just fit in, but guess what? You weren’t made to be shaped into a mould, you were meant to be the exact shape you are. Stop forcing yourself to conform to this and allow yourself to be YOU, yes you.

You will realize those boys that break your heart, and that make you feel like you aren’t good enough has nothing to do with you. You are enough. Someday you find the right love, and he will make you feel like the most beautiful person in the world. You’ll finally know what true love is, it isn’t what you think you’ve found thus far.

Anytime you don’t do as well as you want to in school and blame yourself and think you just aren’t smart enough, remember that everything you learned all the hard work you put in DOES lead you somewhere great, and again exactly where you are supposed to be. Continue to work hard but don’t ever bring yourself down for not doing as well as you would like, it’s all part of the process.

Just because you see your parents struggling for money and putting all their time and energy into supporting you doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the luxuries you work hard for. They will tell you that their sacrifices were worth it because they of have the greatest gift of all, you. They want you to succeed beyond your wildest dreams, they would never want you to hold yourself back because of their own previous struggles.

As much as you wish you were someone else, thinner, taller, prettier, smarter one day you’ll realize you are exactly the person you were meant to be and you are beautiful just the way you are.

Most importantly Victoria, all the things you think matter so much right now (your appearance, trying to fit in, what boys think of you) you’ll realize are the smallest things in comparison to what will genuinely bring you happiness. You are enough and worthy of all the love and success and happiness in the world, stop thinking you aren’t. YOU ARE.

Sincerely,

Victoria, the future you.

Victoria D'Ariano
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