What I Would Say To My Younger Self

I’m a believer that every bump in the road prepares us for the next challenge in life but wouldn’t it be nice if we could go back and talk to our younger selves.

My angst started as a small child, as many of you know I was a child of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. I spend many hours talking to myself trying to make sense of the pain in my life. I would tell that child, your day will come when people who love will walk into your path and change your life forever. You are loved and with love and therapy, all wounds heal.

I would tell that heartbroken teenager that sex doesn’t mean love and love doesn’t always mean love. I cried so many times played across my bed when I found out my boyfriend had cheated on me. My granny consoling me that he wasn’t the right one and the right man would come into my life. If she just had a magic wand to tell me when he would and how long it would take.

When you’re starting your career you’re going to get crappy work, that’s a fact of life. It’s what you do with it that makes the difference in your future. Embrace the worst task, do them to the best of your ability and do it for yourself, not for anyone’s recognition. IF you can do the worst jobs, the ones everyone else pushes aside, someday these skills will pay you back 10 fold.

If you get the chance to take a job you are scared of, you feel is out of your league, take it. Giving it a sincere effort and not succeeding is not failure.

In my 20’s I bought a house, the rent was less than renting an apartment so it sounded like the right decision. Little did I know about all the other expenses that come with keeping up a house. Don’t be fair to eat chicken noodle soup and bologna sandwiches to reach your dream.

During some dark depressive times, I didn’t want to go on. The fight wasn’t worth it, it took too much energy. I loved my family but could not see any light in my life and could not get out of bed. I would say to that woman, listen to your doctor, be honest, listen to that deep voice in your heart and follow it. Fight for life and keep fighting for the life you want.

For the woman I am today, I would say. Don’t be afraid of the future, your health, don’t stop living just to avoid any danger. You have to live, life is worth living and you have to dig deeper for your purpose in life.

What would you say to your younger self?

Melinda