To My 22-Year-Old Self

A love letter to one version of me who was still figuring it all out but needed more validation

To my 22-year-old self,

Hi.
I believe you’re wondering how everything is going to work out.
If you're really doing what you imagined you'd be doing by now.
And if all the people you know now will still be in your life.

I was trying to write a letter to my younger self,
But I think you deserve one right now.
You deserve a silver lining.

You're 22.
You're doing fine.

The stress will overwhelm you.
The tears will come.
Because we’ve never learned not to feel

and that’s okay.

Be ready to feel.
Be ready to enjoy.
Be ready to love.

You are not making bad decisions.
Please remember that this year
Every single breath,
Every single glimpse,
Every single thought
It’s all going to make sense.

Enjoy the work.
Find a way to love it.
You're going to learn.
You're going to meet some important people.

And when you think there’s nothing else out there,
It’s okay.
You’re only 22.
You are working.
You are learning.

Take care of yourself.
Don’t be afraid.
Please don’t be afraid of doctors again.
You know we need them.

But you don’t need to lose weight.
And maybe this letter is a little late for that.
But you didn’t need that injection.
I’m sorry you’re living with that decision.

You are okay.
It’s okay to feel.

You are in love
With someone you know loves you back.
Let yourself feel it.
Let yourself enjoy the moment.

Please, don’t think about the consequences until it’s necessary.
But keep your plan in mind.

Don’t let him consume you.
Don’t let him be all you think about.

Don't let him break your heart.

Because, my 22-year-old self
You are more.
You are valuable.
You are worth it.

Please don’t build walls
Walls that keep everyone else out but trap you inside.
It’s not necessary.
You have your people.
You have God, okay?
Pray.
Pray a lot.

Try to stay in touch with your friends.
Enjoy every outing with them.
You can count on them, always.

Talk to your family.
Tell them how burned out you feel.
And even if you don’t understand this:
It’s okay to feel that way.

To not feel like your old self.
Because we are growing
And we can’t stop that.

Laugh.
Please laugh.
Even if you feel like you're going to need botox for those laugh lines.

Honey
You just graduated.
You’re a two-year-old adult.
But you’re an engineer.

And it might feel like you don’t know a single thing

But you are smart.
You’ve always been a smart girl.

It's okay not to know anything about life.
Just remember that you don't have to have all the answers right now.

Be happy.
Please be happy this year.
You only get to sing 22 by Taylor Swift with real feeling for one year.

And please, sing it loud.