Dear Writer

Don’t Change a Thing, Younger Me

Dear Julien,

Life works itself out.

That probably doesn’t mean much to you, but trust me. The future is uncertain. It always was and always will be. I’d tell you not to worry, but that won’t stop you. I’d tell you that you’ll be happy, but you wouldn’t believe me. Hell, I’m unemployed, uneducated, and poor. But you’ll find out those things don’t matter so much on your own.

All you want to do is leave home and throw yourself into new experiences. You will doubt those choices. I can’t stop you from doubting them, but that doesn’t matter. You will be rewarded for those experiences in ways you cannot imagine.

I just want to say thanks. All the mistakes you make and all the uncertainty will guide you.

I’m 28 now, not so old (though you probably think I am.) There will be tough times ahead of you. Those times will mould you into someone you respect.

You’ll have many regrets along the way, but that will change.

I wish I could give you my rose-coloured glasses so you could see what I see. There is some good in everything. You find peace. It won’t come from a job or a girlfriend or any skill. It will come from within. It was always there, just waiting to be revealed. What I’m saying doesn’t make any sense. It sounds foolish and complacent. You’ll see.

Everything might seem confusing right now. But in the future, you’ll look back and not want to change a thing.

You want adventure. You’ll get it.

Hitchhiking through America, Traveling to Nepal and India, Mexico and Europe. Then New Zealand, where I’m writing from now.

In a way, I envy you. You’ve got so many exciting adventures ahead of you. You’ll do things that you’d never imagine you’d do. I won’t spoil the fun by telling you what.

If I could tell you anything, it’s this: You get through it all unscathed. More than that, you get through it happy.

I would give you some advice, but why should I? I wouldn’t change a thing.