A letter to my 13 year old self
 |
| Me around 13 years old |
I
recently read a post by Nicola (who blogs at Nicola…Life
Through My Eyes) which I found really interesting. Nicola wrote a
letter to her 15 year old self and it got me thinking about what I
would say to myself now that I am older. I thought I would write a
letter to my 13 year old self because at that age I found myself
going through a range of different emotions and challenges. Here
goes:
recently read a post by Nicola (who blogs at Nicola…Life
Through My Eyes) which I found really interesting. Nicola wrote a
letter to her 15 year old self and it got me thinking about what I
would say to myself now that I am older. I thought I would write a
letter to my 13 year old self because at that age I found myself
going through a range of different emotions and challenges. Here
goes:
Dear
Emily,
Emily,
You
are 13 years old and have the weight of the world on your shoulders.
You are smarter than you think you are, but you can be so eager to
impress others that you act in a way in which you know you shouldn’t.
If only you could appreciate what you have whilst you still have it.
You won’t because you’re 13 years old, but I wish you could.
are 13 years old and have the weight of the world on your shoulders.
You are smarter than you think you are, but you can be so eager to
impress others that you act in a way in which you know you shouldn’t.
If only you could appreciate what you have whilst you still have it.
You won’t because you’re 13 years old, but I wish you could.
You
can be incredibly naive at times and I wish you would just stop for
one moment. Slow down, take a breath and think about what you are
doing.
can be incredibly naive at times and I wish you would just stop for
one moment. Slow down, take a breath and think about what you are
doing.
I’m
not going to go into details, but I want you to remember that you are
only 13 years old. You have so much time to do what you want to do.
Stop worrying about the future. It may seem like life is passing you
by and going along too quickly, but it is you that is trying to grow
up too quickly.
not going to go into details, but I want you to remember that you are
only 13 years old. You have so much time to do what you want to do.
Stop worrying about the future. It may seem like life is passing you
by and going along too quickly, but it is you that is trying to grow
up too quickly.
A lot
of things will happen in a short space of time, most of which will be
very hard for you to deal with. You cope in such a way that worries
me now when I look back. You will loose both your parents, but in two
very different ways.
of things will happen in a short space of time, most of which will be
very hard for you to deal with. You cope in such a way that worries
me now when I look back. You will loose both your parents, but in two
very different ways.
You
might wonder why I am telling you this now, but I think it is
important for me to do so because it may just make you realise how
precious time is and it may make you appreciate life and those around
you more.
might wonder why I am telling you this now, but I think it is
important for me to do so because it may just make you realise how
precious time is and it may make you appreciate life and those around
you more.
Dad
is still alive, but he is no longer the person he used to be. You
will not recognise him. You will not understand, but remember he is
still your dad.
is still alive, but he is no longer the person he used to be. You
will not recognise him. You will not understand, but remember he is
still your dad.
Mum
is no longer with us. You and K were only 18. You knew it was
inevitable yet when it happened you have to force yourself to cry, so
that to others you would appear normal. Like you were doing the thing
that you should do when someone dies. Cry. Do not worry about why you
don’t naturally cry. It’s ok. People deal with grief in different
ways and I now understand why you didn’t cry. You knew death was
coming. You were prepared for it. Of course, you will be upset and
overcome with grief. Dad will offer you and K, counselling. Take it.
I didn’t at the time, but I think it will help you to understand you
and who you are, as well as your purpose in life.
is no longer with us. You and K were only 18. You knew it was
inevitable yet when it happened you have to force yourself to cry, so
that to others you would appear normal. Like you were doing the thing
that you should do when someone dies. Cry. Do not worry about why you
don’t naturally cry. It’s ok. People deal with grief in different
ways and I now understand why you didn’t cry. You knew death was
coming. You were prepared for it. Of course, you will be upset and
overcome with grief. Dad will offer you and K, counselling. Take it.
I didn’t at the time, but I think it will help you to understand you
and who you are, as well as your purpose in life.
You’ve
always wanted to be a mummy and you will be! I won’t say anymore on
this. I want it to be a surprise, but you make a wonderful mum. When
the time comes the best of piece of advice I can offer you is to
believe in yourself. You know more than you think you do.
always wanted to be a mummy and you will be! I won’t say anymore on
this. I want it to be a surprise, but you make a wonderful mum. When
the time comes the best of piece of advice I can offer you is to
believe in yourself. You know more than you think you do.
I’m
26 now and life is good. It’s not perfect, but nothing ever is.
26 now and life is good. It’s not perfect, but nothing ever is.
Look
beyond what you see.
beyond what you see.
Emily
6 Comments
Emma
July 13, 2013 at 7:19 pm
This was very emotional. I have just written about my thirteen yr old becoming a teen and how challenging it is from a mums view! Sorry to read that lost your parents so young. Thatr must be very tough.
Emily
July 13, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Thanks Emma. I'm popping over to read your post. I wish I could have been wiser and realised that I wasn't the centre of the earth, but hopefully now I will remember and when my girls become teenagers I hope it helps me understand them a little better. xx
Nicola LifeThroughMyEyes
July 14, 2013 at 12:05 pm
Thank you for the mention sweetie. Your letter is very emotional. Did you find it a bit like therapy writing it, I did mine xx
Emily
July 14, 2013 at 12:12 pm
You're welcome. It was a bit like therapy. I enjoyed writing it. It really got me thinking about things xx
Charlotte Taylor
July 15, 2013 at 10:54 am
I loved this. I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your mum so young and that your relationship with your dad has changed. You sound like you have come out of it a brilliant person. I started a linky up with this last week – I'd love it if you linked up. Quite a few people have already! xx
Emily
July 15, 2013 at 2:37 pm
Thanks Charlotte. I've just read your letter and have joined the linky xx