A letter from February 6th, 2020

Dear 22 year old Meghan, I wonder what your life is like. If it's anything like I imagined you are still in school and maybe becoming a doctor or PA. I have no clue what school you ended up at (you were so indecisive!) but I hope you are happy. You still contact your high school friends once and a while and have probably gone back to your high school to see your teachers. You might have a boyfriend who is preferably taller and older than you (but if not then you have probably found someone you'd like to be dating *wink wink*). You probably still enjoy The Bachelor/Bachelorette and love to hang out with your new found friends. Hopefully you have a better wardrobe know that you're in college! Before I go on, maybe say hi to your roommate(s) from me (which is really weird and would take a lot of explanation so maybe don't). Also, like always, I probably will ramble in this letter so take it or leave it. (hopefully you have grown into better writing habits). If you feel like you're overwhelmed, don't worry. You have felt overwhelmed before and look where you are now! You used to strive for goals that seemed insurmountable at the time. Maybe you have achieved some of them and maybe you still dream. Let yourself dream, that's the only way you can accomplish great things. Use you stress as fuel. Fuel to become something greater and better. Reach for the stars and don't settle for anything less than you know you deserve. Most of all, never give up. You never let life get the best of you before so don't let it start now. Failure doesn't define you, it shapes you. It shapes you into a person who is greater than before. Everyone has rough days but don't let those bad days consume you. Every day is a new day that comes with new opportunities. Face each day with a new mindset. I imagine my future self to be stronger, wiser, and most of all more accomplished. Even if you haven't done all the things you dreamed about, that's okay! You still have years ahead of you that you can accomplish those things. Your younger self believed in you and believed in your future. Your younger self could only imagine the great things you would come to accomplish. She experienced failure, hardship, and even depression. But she pressed on and persevered. If you do it for no one else, do it for the you that once was. The you that had big dreams but was scared that she could never achieve something that great. The you that stayed up late nights to ensure success in school the next day. The you that believed and hoped one day she would achieve something greater than herself. Do it for you. Lastly, wherever you are in life, take a moment to remember who you once were. Remember the good things and the bad. Text your friends and tell them how much you appreciated their support in high school. Maybe send a pun to Bella, a debate meme to Aleyna, and a long message to Avery. Call Katherine and leave a message. I hope you are still as close with her as you were 5 years ago :). Text your mom and dad and tell them how much you love them. Text your Aunt Ellen to encourage her with Isaiah 43:2 and 2 Corinthians 5:7. Encourage the new friends you have made along the way. Show kindness and compassion wherever you go. The main lesson that the younger you tried to spread was to be yourself and to be unique. Aspire to do just that. Meghan, you have done great things and will do more great things. Don't let your fears stop you from doing what you love. It's okay to fail. You are perfect the way you are. Embrace the future. Your younger self always feared it and that held her back some. You have people in your life that love and would help you if you ask. Go and watch the Chicken Girls Season 5 Episode 6 (13:13). Don't forget to have fun and be yourself. Your true friends love you for you. I hope you take your past word to heart :) Meghan, 5 years ago <3