A Letter to 16 Year Old Me

The other day I was going through a newspaper article where a few celebrities spoke about things they would want to say to the 16 year old version of themselves. It was then when a wave of quest filled me, urging me to think that considering the now, what would I like to tell the younger 16 year old me.

 

Hi dear 16 year old me, there are a few things I would want to share with you. I know you won’t agree with most of my points, because of course you were always the rebellious kind.

So here we go…

1. First and foremost, your parents are your BEST FRIENDS. Believe it or not, no one, but them will stand by you no matter what. You are wrong when you feel they are not letting you live your life or they just want to do things against your wish. Trust me, they are doing the best for you. You’ll thank them later.

 

2. Secondly, stop running behind those “cool people” in your school. They are nothing but jerks. Letting your hair down daily, pulling your skirt a bit higher, or making fun of somebody’s weaknesses will get you nowhere. It will just leave you with bad hair in the future, a few hurt people, and a lost you. Make sensible friends instead, who are not ashamed to be themselves and stand up for what they feel is right, even if the “cool squad” doesn’t appreciate it. Trust me, the 24 year old you got your best friend from the other lot.

 

3. Focus on your studies a little more. Although you’ll do pretty well in the future with the way you are studying right now. But you’ll just hurt your parents less if you score a little better. Nothing else in the entire world is bothering them than how their child’s future is being shaped.

 

4. Spend more time with your family. Trust me, in the future, you’ll only have those moments to treasure that you spent with them. You’ll soon be missing painting with Mom, going for a walk with Dad, or playing stupid games with your little brother. You can always watch your favorite television shows later on YouTube.

 

5. Pay attention to your health, and please start exercising as soon as you realize that there is a little extra kilo that you have put on. Because, later losing those 20 kilos together is going to be a pain. But please don’t become a health freak at the same time. You never know if you’ll get to taste that delicious dessert again! 

 

6. Develop some self-confidence. Don’t be so doubtful about yourself all the time. Learn to speak up when you think you should. That annoying little thing inside you that keeps telling you to voice your opinions, listen to it. 

 

7. Never put anything or anyone above your self-respect. Never give in to people or situations that demand to damage your self-respect. After all, you can only help yourself and others when you have a healthy relationship with yourself.

 

8. Don’t try to please everybody all the time. Because you’ll end up being frustrated if you try to become “Ms. Perfect” or “Ms. Goody two”. It’s OK to be imperfect and let people know you have flaws too. It’s more important to be happy yourself, than to try and keep everybody happy all the time.

         After all, as they say “I cannot make everyone happy. I’m not rajma chawal”!

 

However, one thing that I appreciate about you is your habit of reading anything and everything. Which has helped the 24 year you somewhere or the other. So keep that habit going.

PS: I love you! After all, you are the best version of you.

 

Special Credits: Thank you Neelesh Mathur for convincing me to post this, and thanks a lot to Virangi Shah for her valuable suggestions.