Dear Younger Self,
It has become necessary for me to write to you. First, I want to apologize for having ignored you for a long time. I know it must be lonely over there and dark, but with this letter, I hope it brings you light and showers you with the guidance you need to break out.
You were young, full of dreams, and eager to learn from your parents, family, and society at large. You absorbed everything. You obeyed your parents because they were the custodians of your soul. You tried to find yourself amidst their guidance. You did everything to fulfill your parents' dreams, as it felt necessary—being their firstborn. They steered you toward becoming a medical doctor, and you embraced it without questioning if that was what you truly wanted.
Your dreams felt shattered when you weren’t placed in the science class in SS1. You switched to the arts and considered becoming a lawyer. You tried your best, but deep down, you knew you were only an average student. You struggled with math, which was the primary reason you weren’t selected for the science class.
Instead of law, you were guided toward studying English, and you often wondered if such a course could bring you financial success. It weighed heavily on your heart as you struggled to find ways to make Mama and Papa proud.
I understand it all, and I am here to tell you that you did your best. If I were to advise you now, I would encourage you to listen less to others and more to yourself. I would tell you to take the pressure off and enjoy your youth.
I would urge you to develop yourself and invest more in your gifts and talents. Back then, you didn’t even know what you could do. You were focused on making your parents, siblings, and society proud—which isn’t inherently bad. But the focus should have started with you. You can’t offer what you don’t have. To make others proud, you must first be proud of yourself.
I know you carry regret and guilt. But who could have known it all back then? Who could have predicted that everything you worried about would eventually work itself out?
Do you remember when you had that extra year? It felt like the world came crashing down. That seemed like your first failure in life—at least, it felt that way at the time. You fought like a wounded lion. You were angry at yourself, but even angrier at the world. Yet that vulnerable moment became the beginning of a new life for you, and it is something to be grateful for.
Your path is unique, and it’s okay to stand out. Stay calm and don’t rush—every good thing takes time. You have grown beautifully from the seeds of your struggles. Let this letter remind you that every misstep was a step toward finding yourself.
I’m proud of you.