This article was first published in May 2021.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. As we grow up, we learn from our mistakes, develop our personalities and discover who we are. If we were to write a letter of advice to our younger self, what would we tell them? What do we know now that we wish we knew then? What have we learned?
For this series of thought-provoking films, we asked eighteen young people to write a letter to their younger selves. This is Dear Younger Me.
Dear younger me.
Happy sixteenth birthday. I know it doesn't feel very happy as you're standing by a window staring out into the world wondering what your future is going to hold, but I promise you there is light at the end of this tunnel and you will get through this.
You have just lost someone you love very much so please let yourself grieve. Speak to Mum about it. You are not being a burden. Let yourself feel fully; the good and the bad. Sit with your emotions; they'll guide you to take action.
Right now your identity is hinged on your academic performance, but you are so much more than that. It is your values, passions, desire to help others, to love fully and stand up against injustice that make you who you are. You can truly do whatever you set your mind to. You just have to have the courage to let yourself believe it.
People around you can impose a timeline for when you're expected to get things done. You don't have to follow this pattern. Set your own milestones and define your own success. You are beautiful, you do not need anyone's validation to feel it – just your own.
Your empathetic nature is a gift but it can lead to burnout, to protect yourself you need to create boundaries and learn to say no. When someone asks you to do something think about the why. Say yes if it's something meaningful, an experience which you'll grow through.
Be brave, my love. You are brave. Keep telling yourself that and eventually you'll feel it, because you manifest your own reality. I'm so proud of you I will be waiting on the other side. Come what may, you know the way.
See you in eight years, Samya
You can truly do whatever you set your mind to, you just have to have the courage to let yourself believe it.
Samya tells herself that she doesn't need to follow other people's timelines. In this Dear Younger Me, Samya says that she is so much more than academic performance – she can do whatever she sets her mind to as long as she has the courage to let herself believe it. Samya tells herself to let herself feel – the good and the bad – and to let her emotions guide her.
If you need support
You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.
If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are more links to helpful organisations on BBC Action Line.
Dear Younger Me: Chris
If you wrote a letter to your younger self, what would it say? This is Chris' letter.
Dear Younger Me: Tegan
If you wrote a letter to your younger self, what would it say? This is Tegan's letter.
Dear Younger Me: How letter-writing can help your mental health
Writing a letter to a younger version of you that went through a hard time can really help you - here's how.
