A Letter to My Past Self
You either succeed through a series of experiences that allow you to find your individual identity or you fail and become “stuck” in role confusion.
In Erikson’s psycho-social development chart he explains the teenage stage as Identity vs role confusion. You either succeed through a series of experiences that allow you to find your individual identity or you fail and become “stuck” in role confusion. I achieved a clear view of my identity between the age of 20–21. I did this through reading, experimenting with religion and traveling solo. Now that I’m confident in who I am — I feel I have the wisdom to offer to my past self.
- Play; don’t focus on the future — be a kid
- Forgiveness is the greatest thing you can do for yourself
- You can’t help anyone if you aren’t at your 100%
- Say no to what your heart isn’t in
- You deserve and will achieve love
- Just because a tragedy happened, it’s not doomed to repeat
- Instead of running away from your fears; charge towards them
- Try new things; failure is inevitable
- Allow people to “sink”; your definition of happiness isn’t one size fits all
- Be authentically yourself; people come and go whether you are putting on an act or not
Braving the Wilderness — Brene Brown
If I were to have this wisdom in the past; I wouldn’t have had the roller coaster of experiences and trail and error that I did to achieve my identity. I don’t have any regrets — instead, I’m grateful for all I’ve learned so far, and am bound to learn in the future.
What would you write to your past self?
