I would have never thought I would be writing this letter to you, it’s really the last thing I ever expected. For some reason, thinking of you being able to take a bus or go into a mall with absolutely no concern is bizarre to me.
Your days are filled with possibilities right now. You can wake up and have plans, see friends, and sit beside someone in class without a second thought. Right now, your biggest concern is school and trying to fight off procrastination. You’re busy with school, but you have the gleaming hope of summer ahead.
There are so many things I want to tell you.
Don’t skip so many classes. Trust me, you will have tons of time to sleep-in in the near future. I’d probably tell you not to dwell on the little things happening right now because you will have plenty of time to overthink and overanalyze things later.
If I could give you any advice, I would tell you to take advantage of every day — to seize the moment. Go out, meet people, make some friends. But, knowing you, you’d probably give up on that after a day or two.
I’d also probably tell you to go and get your driver’s license because “doing it in May” will not be an option. So, stop putting that off. Maybe I’d tell you to explore Ottawa more and go to the museums because your art history-loving self won’t be able to for a while. Or maybe I would tell you to enjoy the simple stressors in your life and how temporary they are.
Honestly, enjoy having the choices you have now, take it one day at a time, and really cherish the memories you make with the people you meet. Things are going to get harder, but you are going to be fine, and what’s happening to you now is only temporary.
Most of all, I would stress the importance of taking a step back and taking care of your mental health because that, most of all, will help you make it through the next year.
Featured image provided by Debby Hudson via Unsplash.
