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.
Caothan:
Dear Younger Me.
I know things are difficult for you right now. But let me tell you, the pain you've experienced in your life up until now is going to turn to happiness, joy and so much more.
Right now life at home with your mum is hard. You don't know who you really are yet and you're struggling with your body image. School life is tough too, you're not coping well with your work and exams. I know you're feeling alone, isolated and like you've no one to turn to, you're trying to write songs and picturing your life to be better. Trust me it will, hold onto that thought. There's so much more happiness to come.
But you're going to need help and support to deal with all you're facing right now. You'll be glad when you make that call to social services to ask for help. I know it's not easy, but you will see that this is the start of a new and exciting time in your life.
There are so many interesting people you're going to meet, so many journeys and adventures you're going to go on. Don't hold back, write that song you want to write. You will need music in your life to give it purpose, music will help you more than you know. I know how much you aspire to be an artist. Just because you don't have the money, the contacts, the image doesn't make you any less of a true talent, believe in your potential.
All the difficult experiences you're going through are adding up to create a resilience that will help you face the world head on. There is nothing you won't be able to overcome.
I can't wait for your future. With love from Caothan.
I know things are difficult right now, but the pain you have experienced in your life up to now is going to turn to happiness, joy and so much more.
Caothan had a difficult time growing up. In this Dear Younger Me, he tells his younger self that life will get better. He says that he struggles with his body image and school and that he feels isolated, but reassures himself that there is so much more happiness to come. He tells himself that he will need help and support to overcome all he's facing. He asks himself to make that call for help as it's the start of a new and exciting time. And he tells his younger self how much music and self-belief will help him overcome his difficult times.
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: Tiffany
If you wrote a letter to your younger self, what would it say? This is Tiffany's letter.
Dear Younger Me: Adam
If you wrote a letter to your younger self, what would it say? This is Adam'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.
