There have been innumerable notes people have written to their future self-asking them to not beat themselves up for some failure or telling them that how these years won’t return and to live in the moment. We might feel irritated when elders advise us but what if the same advice comes from your wise future self. This is not some intervention but an enlightenment from your elder sister or brother who has seen the world that you are yet to see.

Dear Little One,

Hope you are doing well. I am fine and breathing, that has to count for something. Just wanted to check on you and see if you are ready for what’s about to come.

I am the consequence of every impulsive and thoughtful decisions you have made but I am not complaining. You have made me the person I am today. After reading this, you might rule out some choices which might make things better or worse but I won’t blame you. After all you are still a naïve kid.

You are going to be 18 soon. Excited, aren’t you? Don’t be. It’s not easy being an adult. With this new found freedom, there will be new hardships. I am writing this letter not to give you false hope but show you the reality of hope. You know what they say about hope- it breeds on eternal misery.

Your imagination runs wild even today so don’t ever let go of it. Everything takes time but eventually they do fall in place. Success won’t be easy, neither to gain nor to digest. The failure will be exhausting but keep going, never turn back or the past might haunt you and ruin your beautiful future. Life is not all gold and diamonds. It is not what we thought in any way. Life is all about struggles and sacrifices and I promise these won’t go in vain.

You fear being alone, don’t you? Nobody is leaving you even in the worst circumstances. You guys are like peas in a pod. There will be ups and downs in every relationship but you will rise stronger than ever.

You will be mad at Disney. Not every story has a happy ending. No fairy godmother will come to your rescue. Be your own warrior. Don’t find your happiness in a person, it hurts like hell when they leave. You have still not found the one and it doesn’t matter now because I have my family at every stage of my life.

There will be many encounters with the human version of snakes. It will be the people you never even imagined. Don’t let them affect you because at least at the end of the day you won’t be filled with regret or guilt.

You haven’t reached your ultimate goal but now you are making strategies to reach there overlooking the Manhattan skyline from your balcony with a glass of wine in your hands. You have tripped and healed and come a long way. Hope to see you soon.

Yours lovingly,

Your Future Self