A Letter to Myself

 

Dear Me,

It’s been a long journey, hasn’t it? There were so many things you wanted to do, so many dreams you held close to your heart. Some were small, some big, but all of them were yours. And somewhere along the way, life happened. People changed. Priorities shifted. You grew up. And slowly, without even realizing it, you started letting go, not because you wanted to, but because you felt you had to. You started making adjustments, small ones at first, giving up on little joys, delaying things for "later," thinking you’ll come back to them. But "later" never came. And with time, those small adjustments turned into silent compromises. With your dreams. With your choices. With your happiness.

You always believed you’d live life on your own terms. That you’d write your own story, choose your own paths. But somewhere, the roads twisted. Reality stood in your way, and responsibilities knocked at your door. You convinced yourself that maybe this was how life was meant to be. Maybe this was your destiny. But let’s be honest, it hurt. It hurt every time you smiled for the world while hiding your pain. It hurt every time you celebrated others while burying your own desires. It hurt every time you told yourself, "It’s okay, I’ll manage," when deep down, you knew you were tired. Still, you kept going. You showed up, for your family, for your work, for everyone who needed you. Even when you felt like breaking down, you stood tall. Even when no one clapped for your strength, you kept walking. And for that, I’m proud of you.

But today, I just want to remind you: you matter too. Your feelings, your needs, your peace, they all matter. You don’t always have to be the strong one. You don’t always have to hide your fears or silence your dreams. You’ve made peace with fate many times. You’ve said, “Maybe this is how things are meant to be.” But deep down, you know, you didn’t come this far just to accept whatever life throws at you. You came this far because there’s something in you that refuses to quit.

So, from now on, be kind to yourself. Speak to yourself gently. Don’t be ashamed of your scars, they’re proof of how far you’ve come. Take time to do what you love, even if it’s for a few minutes. Listen to that voice inside you, the one that still believes in magic, in new beginnings, in second chances. And if the world tells you to adjust again, pause and ask yourself, “At what cost?” Because this time, don’t lose yourself in the name of survival. Live. Breathe. Feel. Not just for others, but for you. You’ve carried others for so long. Now it’s time to carry yourself. You owe it to the boy you once were, and the man you’re still becoming.

With love,

Me