Humanity Hallows Issue 5 Out Now
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By Pragya Singh

Hi Pragya. Happy Birthday! You turn 13 today; it’s the start of your teens, a HUGE deal. You are all grown up now! Who am I, you ask? Well, I am you, you from the future, and I am writing this letter to tell you all the things I wish I had known before. I know this must be super weird and creepy for you. Trust me it was weird for me too when I thought of writing it.

Oh and before I begin, the dress Mama is saying will look better for your birthday party, WILL look better for your party. Anyway, here we go..

Not all the friendships that you have are going to last forever

This advice is not just for now but for the rest of your life. Invest in people but not at the cost of yourself. Never do that. Having two super close friends is much better than having 20 friends who don’t give a damn about you. Value yourself more than anyone, and NEVER lose yourself or your self-respect for anyone. You will be changing quite a few more schools, and along the way meet both amazing and not so amazing people. The not so amazing ones will teach you a lesson and the amazing ones will give you the best memories.

Don’t try to grow up too fast

Trust me when I say this but, when you turn 20, you’ll want to go right back to being 13. Live every day, enjoy every experience. We all grow up eventually, but our teenage years just happen once.

You will have your heart broken

It may seem like it but it’s not the end of the world. It will be painful and certain moments will make you feel really helpless but it will get better, just stay strong. Don’t be in a rush to be in a relationship and don’t just fall for the guy that is the most popular or good looking. That wouldn’t last. Instead, when the time does come, look for the one that knows you better than you know yourself and wants to be with you despite all your flaws. You will find that guy, trust me.

Do not trust anyone and everyone.

Please. I know you want to see the best in everyone but that is not how the world is. It is harsh and so are the people in it. You cannot bare your soul to everyone. Stay guarded; you’ll know when to let your guard down.

 Try to be the best version of yourself

I know it sounds cliché but you have to work hard at this and stick to this rule for the rest of your life. Just a little heads up, you will be studying in an all-girls school in a few years and, though the thought may seem crazy right now, it will be one of the most learning and beautiful experiences of your life. You will have to make two plaits though. Sorry, nothing can be done about that.

Never give up on your dreams

No matter what anyone says, you hold on to them. Trust me when I say, no one knows what surprises destiny has in store for you. Never lose faith in yourself and never stop doing what you love.

Never change for anyone

Never do that. I know you have this weird habit of shaping your personality according to the people around you, but don’t you dare lose what makes you ‘YOU’. The people who love you will want to make you a better person and not change the person you are. Stand up for yourself and for the things you believe in, even when no one else does. That is what makes you the person you are.

Two more things: One, turquoise will always be your favourite colour. Always, even seven years later. Two, you will NEVER EVER get used to getting waxed. Trust me.

And, lastly, always know that even when you have no one, you have yourself. You’re your own army in this battlefield called life. So, always trust yourself and your gut more than anything. You are all you have and sometimes you are all you need. Just keep those shoulders high and that laughter always loud. You are not meant to be perfect, you are a work in progress. I wish you all the best for everything. I am proud of the girl you are and the woman you shall become. Never let that inner child in you die.

I love you.

Do you have someone you would like to write a letter to? Send it in to HumanityHallows.Editor@gmail.com