Letter from My 18-Year-Old Self

This post is inspired by "I Am Old" from Momentum Gathering.

Dear 15-year-old Evelyn,

Hey! I know you're working to get out of a rut right now, and I am so proud of you!

Right now, you're working to become a minimalist, but nothing is really leaving. You have a gigantic pile of things to get rid of, and you need to get it out of the house! Once it's actually gone, you'll be physically able to see the progress! I swear, it will feel gratifying.

You've just had your eyes opened to a new perspective that you really agree with - if you're not the one wearing, doing, saying, acting, or looking like it, you shouldn't care. If you're not the one judging others for doing what they think will make them fit in, if you don't care what other people wear, if you just focus on living your life FOR YOU, it gets so much better! Train your mind not to make judgments, and to think positively.

Keep being yourself. I know it's hard sometimes, because you want people to like you, but your friends now love you for exactly the person you are, not the one you tried to be. Right now, you're so worried about what people think of you, but you have to keep it real. Be aware if you say or do something that seems fake, and try to correct it.

I know you think it is, but school is not as big a deal as you believe! If you score low on a test or paper or can't seem to understand something, do not be afraid to go ask for help! That's the point of school - to learn and grow as a person. Don't get caught up in the gossip and judging and popularity. It doesn't matter once you graduate.

You have one life given to you, and you have got to make it count. It feels like you're waiting for something to happen, a spark for this big change, but you're the only one that can make things happen for you! No one is going to hand you a fantastic opportunity! You've got to be able to put yourself out there. Take a risk. Because this one moment is all you're guaranteed.

Love,
18-Year-Old Evelyn