From 6 to 61, what I wish I knew back then
Dear little girl with big dreams,
You stand so still in that photo, lace-up shoes, steady gaze, and that quiet mix of wonder and worry only a child carries.
You have no idea what’s coming.
And maybe that’s a gift.
So here I am, writing to you from a life that’s been full of beauty and heartbreak, triumphs and mistakes, laughter and loss.
I’ve lived enough to know what matters and what never really did.
Here’s what I wish someone had told you:
𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲.
The right balance is your superpower.
People will leave.
Sometimes by choice. Sometimes by fate.
It is okay to let go.
You will fall and rise often.
The setbacks won’t define you, how you rise will.
Learn the hard lessons. Own your mistakes. Keep going.
The world may not see you coming.
𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂.
Stay focused. Move quickly and quietly.
One day, they’ll know you’ve arrived.
More importantly, you will know.
There is more than one way.
You’ll question everything. But have faith, you will always find your way.
Not everyone will understand you.
They don’t have to. Speak your truth anyway.
Life isn’t a popularity contest.
Stay true to yourself and your values.
𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲. 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀.
Arrive on your terms.
Remember your roots.
Carry your heritage with pride.
It is your identity.
Guard your peace.
Not everything requires your energy.
Rest without guilt. Celebrate without reason.
Your body is your temple.
Eat, drink, and inhale only what nourishes your body, mind, and soul.
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴.
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
Everything you do, do it with heart.
Do it with integrity. Do it with pride.
Do it with joy. Do it with courage.
Do it with passion. That is excellence.
One day, you’ll look back and smile.
Not because it was easy, but because it was worth it.
Happy birthday, little one.
You made it this far.
With love,
Yourself at 61.
Wiser. Softer. Still learning.
Still standing. Less serious 🙂
What would YOU tell your younger self?
