This article was first published in May 2021.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. As we grow up, we learn from our mistakes, develop our personalities and discover who we are. If we were to write a letter of advice to our younger self, what would we tell them? What do we know now that we wish we knew then? What have we learned?
For this series of thought-provoking films, we asked eighteen young people to write a letter to their younger selves. This is Dear Younger Me.
Hey younger me.
Girl, have I got some news for you? Big changes are coming. Not only are you finally going to sort out your fashion sense, but you're also going to find your true self and what makes you happy. But there are a few things that you might want to watch out for. I know you have that dream in your head about having that one best friend, you two against the world, but try not to focus on that. You've always had your happiest moments around all of your friends, and not just one, so enjoy that and don't shut people out.
As for relationships try not to be so shy, kiss him… or her. Yes I said her, you'll know who I mean when you find her. I know you're afraid of what people will think of you, but there's no harm in trying. Relationships get easier but it requires work and learning to love all of yourself. Right now you've filled your mind with so much hate for yourself. But why? The fear of rejection, of not being loved?
All of this hate is not you. You've always put out love and kindness into the world, so why don't you start trying to do that for yourself?
It's okay to feel like absolute crap and to be emotional. Cry and cry and cry and cry and cry. Let it all out, it's the best thing that you ever did for yourself.
Here's a tip that works; every night look into the mirror and instead of looking at all that you hate, just find one thing that you love, all of the little things add up.
Telling you this now, I've finally figured it out – I love my body and my mind. I'm happy… well happier.
You've always put out love and kindness into the world, so why don't you start trying to do that for yourself?
Aspiring Paralympian Tegan has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and struggled to love her body and mind when she was younger. In this Dear Younger Me, Tegan tells her younger self that big changes are coming, and she will find her true self and what makes her happy. She says not to be shy when it comes to her relationships – this will get easier, but requires hard work and learning to love all of yourself. She asks herself to treat herself with kindness and love and tells herself that it's okay to feel bad and be emotional. She says that when she looks in the mirror, instead of focusing on what she doesn't like, she should find something she loves.
If you need support
You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.
If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are more links to helpful organisations on the BBC Bitesize Action Line page for young people.
Dear Younger Me: Adam
If you wrote a letter to your younger self, what would it say? This is Adam's letter.
Dear Younger Me: Chris
If you wrote a letter to your younger self, what would it say? This is Chris' letter.
Dear Younger Me: How letter-writing can help your mental health
Writing a letter to a younger version of you that went through a hard time can really help you - here's how.
