Letter to My Future Self

Dear older me,

How’s life at 27 years old? Writing this in junior college where I’m still unsure of my plan for life, I cannot imagine what you’re doing, ten years older than me. I wish you could write back to me, if just to hint at what path I’ve taken. But I have so many questions that will sadly remain unanswered. Where do you work now? Where do you live? Did you move to another country — Europe, USA, or New Zealand, perhaps? Or did you stay in Singapore? I’ve always wanted to compose music for a living, but did you manage to do it?

Whatever the case is, I know one thing about you: you’re still the same hardworking, punctual, person who demands a little too much of themselves. You’re still devoting most of your time and energy to your work, rushing to meet deadlines, worrying about the next meeting, hoping your boss is satisfied with your work… Life is catching you up in a whirlwind of papers, expectations, and deadlines. When was the last time you actually stopped to relax and take in the sunset?

Right now, stop whatever you’re doing. Put down your phone, look out a window, and breathe. In, out, in, out… Look at the sky, look how blue it is. See how the clouds swirl across the sky — some puffy, some wispy, some long with a tinge of grey underneath. Just for a moment, let your mind wander. Forget about your work, and allow yourself to dream again. I want to remind you that life isn’t all about work and deadlines. It’s also about the exciting moments, the quiet moments, the special moments with special people around you. Take life at a slower pace, and take the time to appreciate the things around you.

Do you remember the child in you, the child who only ever wanted to dream, play, and travel? She’s still there, but she’s been shut up by the barriers you have allowed yourself to place around her, barriers that say “I have no time to daydream,” “I cannot afford to slack,” and so many more. Recall the saying that growing old is not a choice, but growing up is a choice. How true it is! It’s never too late to allow yourself to let loose for a bit, pick up a long-forgotten hobby, and let your inner child out again.

Remember this gorgeous tombolo you came across in Perth during a holiday?

Another thing I know hasn’t changed is that you’re still pushing yourself to be the best, and it’s what I’ve always loved about you. In every situation, you always want to give of your fullest capacity, never anything less. But I think it’s taking a toll on you. You’re tired, you’re exhausted, you’re drained. You no longer feel any joy in going to work each week, and you long for the times when life wasn’t so hard, when it wasn’t a struggle to get up in the morning and drag yourself to work. I want you to look back over the past month, the past year, the past five years… Can you see how much you’ve grown? You’re stronger now than you were just last year, and so much stronger than I am now. You’ve gotten more resilient, more loving, more confident. It’s not necessary to always be the best in everything. Take a step back and appreciate just how far you’ve come. Think about the good things that happened today. What have you done well? Focus on those too, not just on the bad. Remember, there’s always room to grow, so slow down! Don’t be too hard on yourself, and never forget that you are wonderful as you are.

Now, in all your busyness, how often do you see Mom and Dad? When was the last time you talked to your brother? Your family has sacrificed so much for you to get where you are. They’ve always only wanted the best for you and gave of their time, energy, and money to help you succeed. Remember when you were so stressed during the O-level exam period? They made sure that you always had more than enough food, water, and took care of your needs so that you could devote all your time to studying. That was just one of many instances when they showed their unconditional love for you. What are you doing for them in return? Give them a phone call today. Treasure the time you have with them, don’t wait until it’s too late.

Your relationships are just as important as your work, so don’t neglect them! Be open and kind to those around you, and take the courage to start a conversation with the neighbour or colleague you’ve never really gotten to know. Invite them over for dinner, who knows what will come of it? Meet up with a long-lost friend, rebuild the friendships that have frayed with time. Appreciate them and treasure them, because just like your family, people won’t stay on the earth forever.

My final words to you: look up more! Don’t be so fixated on the urgent things at hand that you forget about the wild, wonderful world out there. There’s still so much to explore, so much to do with your life. Learn to slow down and live in the moment. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Love,
Your younger self

For the letter to my past self, click here.