Dear Me…

March 23, 2007 /

The idea for this post comes from Miscellanous Mum, and I’m very sorry to say that I’m not positive where I first saw it. (Edited to add, I believe I first saw this on Ginger’s blog, Stuck On Survive. Thanks, Ginger!)  It’s a nice idea, though…you write a letter to yourself, the you from the past, and post it for the world to see.  I’ve been thinking about this for awhile, trying to decide which me needs my help the most. 😉  I’m going to go for 1987 me, I think.

Dear 1987 J,

Welcome to San Francisco, to the city you’ve always loved, the place you’ve always wanted to be.  This is your first time living away from home, and I know that it’s scary.  I know, it feels like sink or swim right now, like there’s no safety net if you somehow mess up.  I think that’s how it’s supposed to feel.  But just know, you’re going to get through this.  You and Troy will do fine, he’s a great roomie.  Go visit your Grandpa a bit more often, though.

Relax a bit on the whole relationship thing, OK?  You’ve been dating kind of non-stop, one boy out of the picture, another one in the picture, and it’s a nice idea to take a break, focus your energy on your new job, school, meeting new people, and having some fun.  You’ll meet a great guy pretty darned soon, and you and he will get to do a lot of those things together, too.  But if you just have some time without a boyfriend for awhile, you’ll be more comfortable with yourself.  That’s a good thing. 😉

You have a wonderful, terrible year ahead of you.  So many big changes, really important changes, some of them will make you cry harder than you’ve ever cried before, some of them will bring you a lot of joy and happiness.  You’ll get through it all.  It’s going to be OK.

Oh, and that job you have, with the 40 hours a week and all?  They lied…they’ll cut your hours a lot when business slows down…so go easy on the credit card.  I’m just sayin’. And maybe don’t buy the Nagel, K?

Love,

2007 J

19 Comments

  • Ml

    March 23, 2007 at 6:51 am

    I like your approach to this letter. You wrote it in a non-judgemental, kind, really sweet way. “Just a wee bit of advice here” type of thing, not in your face do this and do that! Love this idea and really enjoyed reading the letter 🙂

  • J

    March 23, 2007 at 9:29 am

    OK, I guess I’ll keep the Nagel. For all you lovers, you have to know, it’s not a poster. It’s a lithograph…how cool is that?

    And Eric…are you perhaps trying to diss my neon pink socks with the black leggings, black top, black everything else?  Or could you be referring to the black and white polka dotted leggings I wore under a long black skirt with a slit up to there, with a big belt around it all?  Or the cheap mini skirts I bought on Haight street? What?

  • Gina

    March 23, 2007 at 9:43 am

    Is it wrong of me that I always think of Duran Duran when I see a Nagel? Where is it hanging, J?

    One of my best decisions was to remain “man-free” for a while in my early twenties.

  • J

    March 23, 2007 at 9:47 am

    Gina, it used to be in the living room, but I got kinda ashamed of it, like it’s SO Duran Duran-ish (you’re right on that one!), so dated…so now she’s in the bedroom.

  • Wendy

    March 23, 2007 at 11:28 am

    Wow I love this – you know that of course means ‘steal this’ right? 😉 I like your 2007 J voice – very kind and gentle – it’s been an amazing journey, huh?

  • Lalunas

    March 23, 2007 at 4:52 pm

    oh gee if we knew what was coming before it happen, would that be cool. but I guess we have to make mistakes and so we can learn from them. Shoot darn

  • Sophisticated Writer

    March 24, 2007 at 10:35 am

    Another wonderful post, J! I love your letter to your old self. I’ll steal that idea and write one (or many LOL) to me soon on my blog 🙂

    I really think I need that. I mean…really think about it…Wouldn’t it have been cool if the “future me” could talk to the old me then and you know warn or encourage her? *sigh*

  • ally bean

    March 26, 2007 at 5:12 am

    “It’s going to be OK.”

    Any letter that I wrote to an earlier me would need those timeless words in it! Cool idea. Insightful and fun.