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.
Nathan: Dear younger me, please look after yourself. Your physical and mental health are going to be so important in the future. When you look back on the current stresses in your life, you will see that they're actually minimal, even though it doesn't seem like that right now.
In a split second, life can change forever. Everything you were worrying about before doesn't matter and suddenly something else becomes a priority. It pains me to have to tell you this Nathan, but when you're only nineteen, you will lose your dad with no prior warning, you will embark on a grief journey and take on roles you didn't think you could. There is no right way to deal with things like this.
But you can't do this alone, so you'll get help from family who you can trust, they are your rock. Don't beat yourself up about things that have happened in the past or those things that you can't change.
Go outside. Really focus on nature's beauty. While the cows moo, getting stuck into the farm work, like you always did with your dad, will really help. The bleat of baby lambs, the smell of silage and the fresh breeze on your face walking up the fields are so beneficial. Just do things that make you happy, you'll surprise yourself.
Despite all that happens, I promise you will make it. One day you're going to be so proud of how you coped and how far you've come.
From your future self.
Look after yourself. Your physical and mental health are going to be so important in the future.
Nathan unexpectedly lost his dad when he was nineteen. In this Dear Younger Me, Nathan tells his younger self that the stresses in his life are minimal, even if they don't seem it at that moment. Losing his dad will be a big challenge and change his life forever. He tells himself that there's no right way to deal with things like this and he can't do it alone – he will need help from family. Nathan says not to beat himself up about the past and that the outdoors and doing things that make him happy will really help him get through this.
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: Chloe
If you wrote a letter to your younger self, what would it say? This is Chloe's 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.
