This week’s topic for Think Write Thursday is: what piece of advice would you give to the five-year-old you? Sixteen-year-old you? Twenty-one-year-old you? Right now?
This topic was my idea and as I began to write this post, I was amazed by the range of emotions I had. I expected this to be an easy post to write, but it turns out this is more challenging than I thought. So, here is the advice (and encouragement) I have written to myself:
Me at age 5 (really, my fifth birthday)
You have the best imagination! It’s really okay to pretend, no matter what anyone says to you. Sometimes life is scary, and it is perfectly okay to pretend it is not! And, sometimes the best thing ever is going to work with your grandpa and learning how to hammer nails into scraps of lumber. These times will be some of your best memories.
Okay, not quite sixteen – I counted the candles and I think this was 15…
It’s totally okay to feel awkward at times – unsure of whether you want to be on your own and making your own decisions or wishing someone would just tell you what to do! It is also okay to try ideas on and see how they feel and then change your mind! But, the reading… don’t ever stop reading!
Bravo to you for getting through this year. It was not easy. And learning that being “grown up” and making “grown up decisions” are not the same thing. However, even though right now it does not feel like you made the right decision – I promise you that you did. What you learned is that you can trust yourself to make the right decision even if it hurts. And, what you hoped for did come true – sometimes good things do come to those who wait!
Me… yesterday.
It is far too easy to be critical of oneself, and incredibly difficult to love oneself exactly as you are. Today, I would like to remind you of things past and show you how much of the younger you still is a part of you now. You have learned how to direct your imagination into creative pursuits. You are comfortable with being awkward now and you no longer wish to be told what to do. And, your love of reading is still a vital part of you. You know that sometimes the best decisions are also the hardest to make and that while those decisions can be unbelievably painful – you know that you can survive – and more importantly, thrive! So, dear Kat – I would like you to spend more time loving yourself and less time being so critical. You really are worth it.
If you would like to see what others had to say about this week’s Think Write Thursday topic, you will find them here. If you would like to join Carole and me for Think Write Thursday, you can sign up here! We would love to have you!
I loved this topic and was also surprised by the emotions it brought up. I wish I had known you at 16 and 21 so we could have been awkward and growing up together. I’m glad to know you now and second your advice to be less critical of yourself and you really are worthwhile!
Fun topic Kat and a fun post – I enjoyed all the pictures (love the shot of you from yesterday). I believe most of us are too hard on ourselves a great deal of the time.
Great post! So many good and true words.
Ditto! Ditto! Ditto! This is a very interesting exercise and one I’m still cogitating…thank you for dreaming it up…and I love your yesterday/today photo. It rocks!
Cheers~
Your advice to your current self is something we ALL need to take to heart. Thanks for sharing it with me!
The advice to your current self is the best advice ever. Great topic, thanks for choosing it!
this topic brought up a lot of emotions in me, too – and as I’m reading the posts, wow! even more. hands down everyone looks cute at 5, maybe a little awkward at 16/21 and now – beautiful. I love the wisdom and self-acceptance of your current you – well done!
What a great topic and excellent advice to your younger selves! (Also, you look the same as you did at five!)
Wonderful advice, Kat, for anyone! I had a great relationship with my grandfather, too, and many happy memories. I’ve also been a big reader all of my life and can’t imagine a world without books and all they have to teach us whether fiction or otherwise.
Beautiful post all the way through. And it’s so amazing that the challenges of youth seem to be the gifts of adulthood!