January is often times a month of reflection… in that vein I thought it would be fun to write a little note to my 18 year old self. It’s nice to celebrate what we all have been through, that makes us who we are and see how far we have come and how much we have changed. If you could write a letter to your younger self… what would you say?
Dear 18 Y/O Lila,
Looking back there are a few things that I wish you knew –it would have made life so much easier. But, hindsight is 20-20. First of all, you end up married to the most amazing man. Growing up you so badly wanted a boyfriend and a happily ever after. You are going to be utterly devastated each and every time you have your heart broken and you will often lament, “Where is he?” “Why is it taking so long?” It is perfectly fine to date lots of different guys but don’t try to make each one ‘fit’ –you should know that they won’t, because they aren’t the one. Before you dramatically say to yourself and your friends: “I am going to be single forever,” you will try online dating and boy you will meet a lot of “interesting” men, HOWEVER, you will also meet your other half.
You used to believe that marriage was only a piece of paper but you are in for a surprise…something does shift; never in your life have you ever felt love for someone to this extent or felt loved by someone to this extent. When he is away at work or you are parted (temporarily) for whatever reason you literally feel lost, uncomfortable and like half of your heart/soul is missing. It is overwhelming –that is worth the wait, Ms. Impatient!
We both know that your teenage years were a little tumultuous with your father’s illness and death and your relationship with your mother. You could never understand her and you felt like she would never understand you; oh the teenage angst. For some reason you felt this resentment, this irritation. Your bond will be tested but eventually you will have to let go and realize that she did the best she could with what she had. I really wish you figured this out sooner, but I guess it really is “never too late!” Her checking out which made you feel like you were on your own was a result of her grief. Her sudden realization that she needs to be a mother and of course the imposition of rules which you thought was garbage was her just trying to regain control in a world where she didn’t have much. After all, she couldn’t control your father’s illness or death or the shitty demise of our family as your father’s side seemed to cut and run when you both needed them the most. Her hoarding was a result of trying to hold on to her life before and fill her new life with something/anything.
Your high school friends that you deemed to be more important than family (your mother) will no longer be given a second thought once you go to Alberta for university despite the promises you made to one another. BUT… you will meet your ride or die, your bottom hand, your sister by choice, your best friend. That friendship is the definition of Anais Nin’s quote, “[e]ach friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”
Back to the tumultuous teenage years; your issues with self-esteem resulted in cutting and disordered eating; you eventually kicked them both but you really needed to commit to a life of mindful practice and healthy eating and exercise a lifestyle you will need to work on even in your 30s and wish you started sooner.
The driest piece of advice or rather the most ‘adultish’ piece of advice I would like to impart to you is the importance of financial planning. Go to the bank, meet with a planner, set yourself up to truly have a golden future/retirement. Invest, buy RRSPs and get life insurance. BUT! Don’t hoard your money use it to enjoy life, go on adventures, travel, do what you love before it is too late to do those things –think how young your dad was when he died. Plus, it will make you a more interesting person, it will broaden your horizons and give your life meaning; you can’t take it with you in the end after all.
Sincerely,
34 Y/O Lila
And now for a blast from the past….
