A conversation with my past self

Present Me: Hey, you. It’s me. Well, it’s you—just a little ahead in time.

Past Me: Whoa. This is weird. Are you real?

Present Me: As real as it gets. I wanted to check in and see how you’re doing.

Past Me: I guess I’m fine. Just trying to figure things out, you know? Life feels uncertain. I have so many dreams, but I don’t know if they’ll ever come true.

Present Me: I know exactly how you feel. I was there once, remember? And listen, it’s okay to feel uncertain. But trust me, you’re stronger than you think.

Past Me: That sounds reassuring. But I have so many doubts. Will I ever achieve my goals? Will my hard work pay off?

Present Me: Yes, it will. But not in the way you expect. You’ll have struggles, moments of frustration, and times when you want to give up. But don’t. Keep going, because every small step you take leads to something greater.

Past Me: That’s easy for you to say—you already know what happens. I’m still stuck here, trying to make sense of everything.

Present Me: I get it. And I won’t spoil everything for you. But I will tell you this—you’ll surprise yourself. The things you think are impossible right now? You’ll accomplish them. The dreams that seem so far away? You’ll get closer, step by step.

Past Me: That sounds amazing. But what if I fail?

Present Me: Oh, you will fail. More than once. And it will hurt. But failure isn’t the end—it’s just part of the process. Every mistake teaches you something. Every setback builds resilience. And every time you think you’ve hit a dead end, you’ll find a new path.

Past Me: That’s kind of scary. But also inspiring.

Present Me: It should be both. Fear and excitement go hand in hand. If something scares you, it probably means it’s worth doing. Don’t be afraid to take risks.

Past Me: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned?

Present Me: That success isn’t just about money or recognition. It’s about growth. It’s about becoming the person you’re meant to be. And most importantly, it’s about finding joy in the journey, not just the destination.

Past Me: So, you’re telling me that I should stop stressing so much about the future?

Present Me: Exactly. Plan, work hard, and stay focused, but don’t forget to live in the moment. Appreciate the little things. Spend time with people who make you happy. And never stop believing in yourself.

Past Me: I needed to hear that. Thank you.

Present Me: Anytime. I’ll always be here, just a little ahead, cheering you on.

Past Me: One last question—do I turn out okay?

Present Me: More than okay. You become someone you’re proud of.

Past Me: That’s kind of scary. But also inspiring.

Present Me: It should be both. Fear and excitement go hand in hand. If something scares you, it probably means it’s worth doing. Don’t be afraid to take risks.

Past Me: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned?

Present Me: That success isn’t just about money or recognition. It’s about growth. It’s about becoming the person you’re meant to be. And most importantly, it’s about finding joy in the journey, not just the destination.

Past Me: So, you’re telling me that I should stop stressing so much about the future?

Present Me: Exactly. Plan, work hard, and stay focused, but don’t forget to live in the moment. Appreciate the little things. Spend time with people who make you happy. And never stop believing in yourself.

Past Me: I needed to hear that. Thank you.

Present Me: Anytime. I’ll always be here, just a little ahead, cheering you on.

Past Me: One last question—do I turn out okay?

Present Me: More than okay. You become someone you’re proud of.

Past Me: Then I guess I have a lot to look forward to.

Past Me: Then I guess I have a lot to look forward to.

Present Me: You do. Keep going. You’ve got this.