What I would tell myself from the beginning of the year [written in 2019]

[November, 2020]

I wrote this on December, 2019. For some reason (guess I thought it was too embarrassing to share with the world), I did not post it. Well, it's November, 2020, and after everything I've been through this year, I think it's time to share my little son. I'm also thinking about creating another list next month… Anyway, enjoy!

2019 was an intense year for me: college, new environment, new people, new friends, new everything. I got through some great and bad stuff at the same time. I remember asking myself what the year would bring, thinking about millions of possibilities. Still, I never thought I would be where I am now — not only in a physical meaning. That’s why I decided to make a list of things I would tell myself from the beginning of the year. Things I would tell the boy that was waiting for the college entrance approval. (I’m feeling this is going to be a little bit cringey. You’ve been warned).

Let's read that list! [©: Netflix]

1. Don’t care for what others may think about you. Seriously, I was so nervous about going to college that I decided to act in a certain way differently from my usual — a more “untalkative” one. It didn’t matter the way I acted, I would be embraced by my friends anyway.
2. Don’t compare yourself to others. You may think that, after getting into college, the competition between your acquaintances is over. The truth is: that’s just the beginning. I know it’s a hard way of seeing things, but academic life has moments of pure competition, being it by simply taking a test, or even when you are looking for a job in the same area as your friends. The moment will come, be ready for it. Don’t think about others, concentrate on yourself. We are different from each other, and that’s great, that’s good, because it remembers you that each one of us has different moments for growing and learning. After all, we will always accomplish something, just be patient.
3. Worry less. You don’t need to create a problem when there isn’t one. Trust me, everything will be (almost) fine by the end of the year.
4. Allow yourself to fell more, and don’t be ashamed for it. There were moments when I overreacted towards things that had happened to me. Some of my friends called me “dramatic” or being someone that creates too much dificultes for easy solvable problems (I’m looking at you, tip number 3!). In the beginning, I would feel annoyed by such comments. Then, I realized there wasn’t nothing wrong in… feeling. Of course, we should always improve ourselves in terms of mental health, but feeling — again, in a reasonable way— is good for understating your inner thoughts, understanding what you are going through.
5. Be less lazy. Really, the amount of things I would have accomplished simply by being more active is uncountable — I may be exaggerating, but I hope you get the idea.
6. Believe more in yourself.
7. Believe more in your work.
8. Try new habits. You’ve just entered a new world of possibilities.
9. Be prepared for some hard — others never felt before — feelings and emotions.
10. Embrace the experience.

[©: doyouevenfilm]

I’m sorry, but I can only think about THIS SCENE. [©: doyouevenfilm]

I know, this looks like those self-help texts. I told you it was going to be cringey. Yet, I still like how people always save time for reflecting about their actions during the beginning of new year.

In fine, I wish I had Amy Adams’ abilities in Villeneuve’s Arrival. I guess I will be wondering about 2020’s list this same time in 2021. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait and see what’s coming next.