Dear Younger Me,
You’re a rising junior in college now. I know by this time you’ve already decided that you’re going to have to be rich, and you’ve taken great strides in ways of making that happen. You go to Dartmouth. You’re smarter, and more versed in the ways of the world, but you were always wise beyond your years to begin with. You’re 20 now, but you’ll still be able to pass for 16 and people still call you “babyface.” That’s going to keep you out of bars and clubs, but eventually you’ll appreciate not looking your age, but that will never excuse you of acting your age. You still can’t beat your older brother in a fight, but you’re getting there. Women actually pay attention to you now, and you’re going to jump headlong into things. You’re going to have your heart broken a few times. Don’t worry, it won’t kill you. You’ll learn and you’ll grow, and ultimately it’ll make you stronger. In the ebbs and flows of relationships, remember: never hold onto it. Let it go. Being angry at exes just allows them to live rent free in your mind. You’re going to realize that soccer is not what you’re meant to do with your life, and it’s going to hurt. You’re going to cry yourself to sleep. You’re not going to be an engineer, either. You’re going to realize that you HATE chemistry. You’re also going to realize that just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean that you should do it for a living. Even now, at 20, you still aren’t going to be sure what you want to do with your life. But you are going to realize that life is like a bicycle— in order to keep your balance, you’re going to have to keep moving forward. And that’s just what you’ll do. You’ll get older, stronger, smarter, and even a little taller. Keep your head up, and continue to look people in the eye when you speak to them. Be proud of who you are and never forget where you came from because what your parents made was pretty damn good. Happy Birthday. Give ‘em hell, kid.
Anachronistically Yours,
Micah
