While life may seem uncertain now, I can assure you that if you trust life’s path, you will find fulfillment. It won’t come overnight, and I have to admit that there are many bad days ahead, but those days will always lead to a day worth getting to. If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be to always be undeniably yourself.

Struggling with self confidence and being like everyone else has been a recurring theme throughout your life, and I understand the overwhelming desire you have always had to fit in and find your tribe. But those things will come once you can be comfortable with yourself.

Don’t be afraid of what people may be thinking about you, and don’t allow yourself to be consumed by the darkness of the present. Focus on your urge to be more, to find your passions, and never stop pushing yourself to learn new things. Over the past few years, you have had several different career aspirations, and each one you assume will be the thing you stick with for your whole life. But it is only when you allow yourself to try new things and let the old things evolve, that you uncover even deeper passions.

And finally, I would say, don’t worry. Time not only heals, but it also allows for growth, and this is something you will find out.

Today, I feel more fulfilled than ever. I still have growing to do and countless more things to discover about the world and myself, but I feel as if I am finding the right path. So don’t be afraid to take the first few steps and embrace the journey ahead. 

When we wish to talk to our younger selves, usually it entails giving advice to do things differently, but young Emily did everything right. My younger self truly didn’t care what others thought. I don’t know any other 4th graders who had the guts to wear a big colorful wig for their school’s picture day, or cosplay at C2E2 and immediately show all their classmates the pictures the next day.

Shame or embarrassment were never thoughts that crossed my mind. If I liked something, I’d immediately share it with the people around me.

“Why wouldn’t someone want to know what my favorite things are?” I would think to myself. Although this is a very sweet belief, younger me wasn’t aware that most people wouldn’t care about how many My Little Pony figurines I have. But I did have a point. Even if I’m the only person to care about something, that’s enough for me.

My younger self reminds me to let go of things and to go easy on myself, something I’ve been struggling with the past few years. Little Emily was so gentle with herself and always allowed growth. You would think even a decade later, I would still have this mindset, but unfortunately, I can’t say I do.

If I had to give her one piece of advice, it’d be to keep doing everything she is doing. Maybe stop talking and being loud in class, but I still do that today.

I feel like I still have a lot to learn from her. She wasn’t constantly anxious or overthinking every little thing she did; she was just enjoying herself. I feel like I am coming to a point where I am extremely confident in my interests and self-expression, but it wouldn’t be like this without thinking of her every step of the way.

I would love to sit here and tell you how you still collect American Girl dolls even if you insist you’re out of that hobby or how you work at Build-a-Bear, but that’s not what you need to hear. Right now, you think you’re not going to see 18, but guess what? You do. You make it 21– and in approximately 54 days, to 22.

You live, and you seriously live. You’ve been hurt, and you’ve been heartbroken. The people you thought would be with you forever aren’t. But on the other side, you have loved. And you have been loved in a way you felt so undeserving of, but you do, you deserve it. 

Life doesn’t become all rainbows and butterflies for you, as you may think, but that’s okay, that’s how life should be. You find the rainbows and butterflies in what life gives to you. 

You’re magnificent, and no one tells you that enough. Everything you’re doing is right, including the mistakes. It’s okay to live and you will be okay. I love you. 

Just remember: You’re alive. 

Hello Samaa at age 6. I know you’re scared of the water because you think it’ll swallow you up and you’ll never see your loved ones again, but that isn’t the case at all!

You’ll get bigger and take swimming lessons, and you’ll absolutely love it! It’s going to be difficult at first, getting used to being in the water, but once you do, you’ll see that it’s not the scary thing you see it as. In fact, you’ll fall in love with the water, and want to spend every summer swimming in it, and you’ll be so good at it! It’ll be calming and give you good exercise at the same time, plus, you’ll be able to have much more fun with your cousins and siblings in the water. 

I know you would rather play in the sand than go into the water, and that’s a good activity for you, too. It’s a good sensory tool to calm you down, plus it’ll keep your hands busy so you won’t bite your fingernails. There will also be other sports that won’t work out for you, but eventually, you will discover you like ice skating too.

What I’m saying is that you shouldn’t be afraid to try out new things, as you may end up loving them! And if you don’t, well, at least you learned it through experience.