Hey.
I have a few things I need to tell you. Some will be really
awesome (your wife is hot) and some will be hard (your dad is going to get Alzheimer’s
much sooner than you, he, or anyone, is expecting), but these are things I
think you would want to know:
- Stop Chasing that Girl
You know who I’m talking about and
it’s totally cool. There is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. You are
giving it your best shot, but it isn’t going to work out. Ironically, the strategy
you are pursuing is a great one. You are trapped in the “friend” zone. This is
a terrible place to be in high school. It is, however, exactly where you want
to be later in life. The problem isn’t your approach; it’s just not the right
time or person. So don’t be discouraged and don’t worry so much about it.
- Buy a Tape Recorder
You don’t know this now, but you
are a pretty good reporter. I know, right? You aren’t even interested in
journalism and the idea of calling people you don’t know makes you sweat. It’s
okay. You are actually surprisingly good at asking the right questions to the
right people.
By the time you figure this out,
though, you will have lost the chance to interview some crucial sources. You
need to buy a tape recorder and interview your grandparents extensively on your
next visit to them. You want to learn as much as they can tell you about their
lives. This is important for learning who they are, but also for understanding
more about where you and your parents came from.
- Spend More Time With Your
Parents
Your dad is going to be diagnosed
with Alzheimer’s in about 15 years. The incredibly intelligent and gregarious guy
you see right now? Enjoy him while you can, because he will disappear bit by
bit until you have trouble remembering him. I’m sorry, but there isn’t a damn
thing you can do about this. What you can do is set aside more time to hang out
with him—and your mom. This is going to take a toll on her, too. This is a
great time to be around both of them, so please enjoy it.
- Stop Listening to
Aerosmith
Right now. Later, you will refuse
to throw out the 3-CD box set of “Pandora’s Box” because your dad gave it to
you as a surprise gift, NOT because you ever want to listen to it.
- Apply Early-Admission to
William and Mary
I don’t know why you didn’t, but
honestly, you never wanted to go anywhere else. Going here is a great
choice—might as well lock it in right now.
- Dream Bigger
You have a lot of hopes and dreams,
but you have a tendency to worry about what’s “realistic.” Please stop. I know
people think you want to be an actor—even you may think this—but you don’t. You
do, however, want to write, and you’re largely afraid to admit this. You’ve
been writing stories since the sixth grade and tucking them away, never showing
them to anyone. You spend 50 percent of your time living in your imagination,
thinking about novels you never even plan on writing. You have this strange
idea that someone will come up to you and offer you a writing contract. I’ve
got news for you: you are going to have to do this on your own. Don’t be too
worried, though: it’s going to be fine. But you need to stop being intimidated about
writing a book. Stephen King started when he was 17 years old. You should get a
jump on him. Oh, and don’t worry about getting it published. Technology and a
company named after a river in South America
are going to solve that problem for you. Just focus on writing.
- You Already Know Who You
Are
If you ignore everything else in
this message, I want you to know this: You are just fine as you are. I know you
think you’re a nerd. But believe it or not, nerds are cool now. The last Star
Trek movie was a huge hit, people love Lord of the Rings and there is a popular
TV show about dorks. Weird, I know. It doesn’t matter anyway. You like to pretend
that you don’t care what people think of you. It’s time to stop pretending. You
will be much happier.
Sincerely,
Your 37-Year-Old Self
That's my letter. For Betsy's, check out her blog here: http://youaskalotofquestions.com/ What would you write to yourself if you had the chance?
