Time Capsule in Reverse

If I could meet my younger self, I would have a lot to say. Not because I have so many regrets and resentments, but because there is just so much to tell.

1.     DO NOT KEEP YOURSELF IN A BOX, THE WORLD IS VAST AND BEAUTIFUL.

It is only waiting for you to discover it.

2.     DO NOT BE AFRAID TO TRY.

I believe you have so much potential, do not let it fade away in time just because you are afraid to try something new.

3.     NURTURE YOUR IMAGINATION.

Your thoughts are your own, and they are lovely. Your ideas can run wild and big; couple it with passion and you will go a long way. Keep it in a bubble, and all you will have is a box full of wasted dreams.

4.     BE BOLD AND ADVENTUROUS. 

Your soul is on fire, but you keep it only to yourself and your loved ones. Show the world your undying curiosity and learn from every daring thing you experience -- may it be on foot, through words, through your pen, or tongue, or places you go, books you read, the food you eat, and music you listen to.

---

5.     BE ASSERTIVE.

Stand up for yourself and your opinions. Being passive is not always the healthiest option.

6.     DO NOT WORRY TOO MUCH!

So many things in this world can go wrong, and that's the way life is.

7.     DO NOT TRY TO FIND A SOLUTION FOR EVERYTHING.

Not everything needs to get fixed. See things as it is, not as it should be. Nobody can carry the world on their shoulders -- Atlas was a myth, this is the real world.

8.     YOU ARE PATIENT, KEEP THAT UP.

BUT --- In some ways you are also the opposite, so learn to wait. Always. Time is gold, but not everything will always run at your pace.

9.     LEARN TO LISTEN.

By that, I mean PAUSE. Breathe. Release. Let others speak, and just be there. Some people do not need your reply, some people just need a moment. Hear them out.

10. NEVER LET ANYBODY MAKE YOU FEEL SMALL.

11. IN EVERY SITUATION, TRY TO BE THE BETTER PERSON.

12. BUT, ALSO, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SPEAK YOUR MIND.

13. AND IF THINGS BECOME TOO HARD TO HANDLE, REACH OUT.

Do not take it out on yourself.

14. READ MORE. You will love it
.

15. BE MORE OPEN TO NEW AND UNFAMILIAR THINGS. 

Listen to music you've never listened to or the ones you used to hate. Talk to people you are intimidated by. Appreciate the shades and hues in the colors you feel sick looking at. Try to learn to love garlic. And onions. And tomatoes.

16. BY THE AGE OF 28, YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GINGER ROOT WILL CHANGE.

You will cook almost everything with ginger, drink ginger more often, even crave for ginger candy on some days.

17. YOU WILL MAKE MISTAKES. SOMETIMES IT IS OKAY, SOMETIMES IT IS NOT.

Own up to it. Apologize and redeem yourself. Make a better person of yourself out of it. Do not let other people tell you you're not a good individual because of these mishaps. DO NOT REPEAT. Ever.

18. BE AROUND PEOPLE WHO WILL CHALLENGE YOU, QUESTION YOUR PERSPECTIVES, AND AT THE SAME TIME, RESPECT YOUR CHOICES.

19. YOU'VE CHOSEN THE RIGHT FRIENDS. They may be few, but they are worth keeping.

20. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SAY NO.

You've gotten in trouble just by being afraid to offend other people with that one powerful word.

21. SOMETIMES, IT IS NOT GOOD TO BE TOO NICE.

Especially if you are taken advantage of. Do not be too naïve.

22. ALWAYS BE KIND.

No matter what other people say, just always be kind. Even when you have to say no, still be kind.

23. DO NOT JUDGE TOO QUICKLY (BUT DO NOT BE GULLIBLE).

There is always something more to every person.

24. DRINK LESS COCA COLA.

As your future self, I tell you, when you reach 29, you'd have stopped drinking pop. But do not wait that long.

25. BE MORE ACTIVE! You will realize too late that health is important.

26. DO NOT BE TOO INSECURE WITH YOUR BODY. 

Accept your body for how it looks, take care of it, take pride in your flaws. Other people's standards are irrelevant if you know your worth.

27. YOUR VOICE MAY NOT BE GOOD, BUT KEEP SINGING TO YOURSELF ANYWAY. It always makes you feel good!

28. ALWAYS CREATE NEW THINGS. 

From the branches you pick up, to the fabric of your worn-out shirt. You can always make something beautiful out of nothing, just trust yourself.

29. BE MORE INQUISITIVE. It will broaden your world.

30. DO NOT WAIT FOR YEARS BEFORE GOING TO A DERMATOLOGIST. DO IT NOW. You better damn well do it ASAP. You'll thank me.

31. LOVE YOURSELF. Fully. Sincerely.

I am betting that halfway through this list, my teenage self will roll my eyes at me. Or take it in.