Letter to my younger self

Hi there, Nis. Wow, you’ve turned 18! The start of adult life—officially! You must be feeling a mix of excitement, anxiety, and nervousness. It’s a big milestone, and I want to share a few things that might help as you step into this new phase of life.

Live in the Moment

Life only gets tougher and more complicated as you move ahead. The best thing you can do is embrace the present. Laugh, enjoy, and dance as much as you can.

You’ve been accepted into Architecture—congratulations! But remember, the results at the end of these five years won’t matter as much as the memories and experiences you create along the way. Soak it all in.

Say Yes to Opportunities

Don’t shy away from participating in college events, competitions, or festivals. This is probably the only chance you’ll get!

Remember that jam session you’re avoiding because you’re scared of looking silly dancing in front of others? Trust me, 15 years later, you’ll wish you had thrown caution to the wind and joined in.

Don’t Fear Failure

Redoing assignments might feel frustrating now, but life will throw much bigger “redo’s” at you in the future. Failing isn’t the end—it’s just part of the journey. Get up, try again, and don’t let setbacks break your spirit.

Every challenge you overcome now is shaping you into a stronger person. Life outside the walls of college, school, or home is far tougher, and learning resilience now will prepare you for the road ahead.

Learn to Be Independent

You need to learn how to do things on your own—making decisions, facing consequences, and handling emotional setbacks. You won’t always have your parents, best friend, or boyfriend to fall back on. Stand on your own feet, and trust yourself.

Cherish Time with Your Parents

I know, newfound freedom means you want to spend time with friends, but don’t forget that someone at home is waiting to have that one meal of the day with you.

One day, you’ll move out, maybe even get married, and those family meals will become rare. Make memories with them now while you still can.

Be Open to New Experiences

Learn different things. Explore. Keep your heart and mind open to change, and don’t be afraid to be different. Stand firm in your choices.

Most importantly, only do what you truly love—that’s the key to inner happiness.

Acknowledge Your Strength

Give yourself credit for how far you’ve come. You’ve had a tough childhood, yet you’ve made it here. Life is hard, but you’re a fighter.

The future may bring more challenges, but you have no idea how much strength you have inside you. You’re doing great—keep going! I’m proud of you.

Take Care of Your Health

This might seem unnecessary now, but get regular health check-ups, including gynecological tests. Being prepared will help you in the long run.

And if you ever feel like you’re not ready for kids when you get married, freeze your eggs. I know it sounds weird, but trust me, future-you might thank me for this advice.

Embrace the Journey

This journey you’re starting today will change you. As difficult as it may seem, embrace it. With time, you will rebuild yourself, gain strength, and create a new identity—one that is resilient and capable of achieving anything.

No matter what happens, promise yourself you won’t give up. You are so much stronger than you know. You’re young, just 18. Take every challenge and turn it into a triumph. Aim for the stars.

PS: A Journey of Inner Growth

For the past year, I’ve been working on strengthening my inner self, healing, and finding true happiness despite life’s biggest problems. I’ll be sharing more posts straight from the heart, and I hope they give you the strength to face your challenges—big or small.

Keep going. You’ve got this!