Sometimes at midnight I think about what if I could travel back in the past and talk to my younger self? Then I ask myself what would I say? Well, I think I would have so many things to say. First of all I would take the version of me in a quite place and stare at myself for a while, let the innocent me know that I have totally changed in the future and share the things I have been through, as a young person I wouldn't understand the situation but at least I will give myself some idea about the future.

I am gonna tell myself that "you have been doing so well but you need to be more strong, be independent don't rely on anyone else other than you". I would tell that child self "life is going to be hard for you, it's never been easy and it's nothing like how it's described in the books, there's no prince who will come to save you and you have to save yourself, because that's how things work in real life." I would let her know that the opinion of others does not matter at all and tell her to do whatever she likes.

I will also let my past self know that many people will come and go, not to take it to the heart because they are only part of few chapters of our journey, life ahead is very long and going to meet more new people in this journey. Also, I will tell myself that "Everything might feel too hard to carry, but you will pass through it somehow, so never give up."

There's a huge list that I would want to tell myself including that comparing myself to others is never going to bring anything better for me, everyone has their own path, timing and they have got what was mean to be theirs. If I have lost someone in the process it means they were never meant for me.

Most importantly I would remind myself that it’s alright to be yourself. The reason is back in the time I tried to fit in with others, like I have tried so hard to please them, I had left my comfort zone to make someone else feel better, I wanted be the way they would like me, because I wanted to be accepted by them, I needed their validation. I could not get the courage to speak what I really had in mind, because I didn't want to feel left out, I was really afraid of the consequences.

If I had the chance to travel back in time and talk to myself, I would say, “There's no need to be in everyone's good book. You can be yourself and there's no need to change yourself to be loved by others. Because the right people will be there for you so remain the way you are.”

I would also tell my younger self to spend more time with parents because they are the ones who will love you unconditionally unlike others. Also, I would ask myself to spend more time with grandparents as well because some people we love won’t always be there. I would tell myself to love yourself first because then you will be loved by others. I would want her to take more pictures and make more memories. I would also say, for not wishing to grow up quickly because growing up is not fun as it seemed as a kid.

I would let myself know that to be enough educated and try to be brave because life will not always go as planned. There will be times when dear ones will betray and dreams will break. But I would assure myself that these are the experiences which will shape myself into a stronger person in the future. I hope my younger self will understand how strong she is in the future.

I would tell my younger self that "Failure will come but don't give up because failure is beginning of something new. So if you make mistakes or take wrong steps it is not a bad thing because this is gonna teach you something valuable in life. Also, failure does not mean the world is gonna end, think of it positively, it's a lesson which will teach you to be strong." I would tell myself "Keep believing in yourself and don't stop trying. People are not going to be kind sometimes, but if you don't be kind to yourself then others will not value you as well."

I would thank myself for being stubborn, because this is the personality trait that got me so far in life. Lastly I would tell myself “You did so well.”

This is my entry to indiaunited contest, make sure to participate with your friends! Here is the link.

_{The images are created with ai and edited with Canva}

Thanks for reading 🌷