DEAR YOUNGER ME
This year my husband and I will both turn 40. I can’t believe that we are approaching this milestone birthday. It seems like yesterday that I was graduating high school and starting college. In actuality it has now been over 22 years. What??? I can’t even believe I just wrote that it can’t be real.
LIVING WITH REGRETS
Do I live with regret for the time that has passed? No, Instead I am grateful for the lessons along the way. Since graduating high school I’ve discovered who I really am, grown professionally and personally. I’ve learned over the years how to accept myself and how to not only live on my own but also thrive. I wouldn’t trade all of my experiences and lessons learned for anything. I recognize that I cannot change the past and if I were able to do so altering it would change my path dramatically. I believe that I was meant to learn these lessons to rise above them and to in turn help others to do the same.
Because I cannot alter my own destiny I wanted to share a letter I wrote to younger me. I hope that through this letter others can learn a few things that might help guide them into a brighter future.
DEAR YOUNGER ME,
Put down that credit card now!!! Trust me you will regret each swipe of that card. Remember how fast your money seems to be gone now? In the future that will only get tougher as you struggle to make it on your own.
Someday you will have to pay back every dime spent and it will actually cost you way more in the process. You will soon be forced to work multiple jobs just to pay your bills, to say no to things you want more than anything and it will take a good portion of your adult life to manage all of your debt.
You will cry, face immense stress and want to give up often. You will however overcome these struggles and grow stronger through this experience. You will however always imagine the future that you could have had without this burden of debt..
JUST A FEW MORE THINGS
Start that 401k now don’t wait. Make sure you put in at least the 3% that your company will match.
Stop shopping just to shop. You don’t need more clothes, shoes, CDs, movies. When shopping requires you to use a credit card just say no. Each purchase will only set you back further pulling you farther away from your goals.
Pray in all things and trust your future to God. Seek Him in everything and He will direct you along the right path. Proverbs 3 (5)Trust in the LORD with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding. (6) Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Pay more for the better health insurance offered by your company. Trust me! That mistake will cost you dearly sooner than you might expect. Healthcare costs can arrive unexpectedly even in normally healthy people.
Take care of your vehicle. Pay attention to the simple vehicle maintenance. Repairs could end up more costly as a result of neglect and even require a new vehicle sooner.
Someday you will be glad you took that job working midnights at the hospital. Everything really does happen for a reason. It will be one of the best decisions you ever make even if the hours aren’t ideal now. You will be challenged to grow every step of the way. You will make life changing connections, build valuable relationships & grow professionally. 18 years from now you will still be employed and offered opportunities that you may not otherwise have received.
You are stronger than you think. Your past does not define you. What really matters are the choices that you make now. You can make a difference, change your own life and impact others along the way.
Stay at the community college to complete your degree. You will get a better education for half the price of that other university. The classes are smaller, the cost is less and overall the education is worth much more.
When you do attend college listen to your advisor and ask questions often. Find someone knowledgeable that you can trust to walk you through the financial aspects. Keep good financial records and be sure that you understand that with student loans comes debt that can really be tough to manage.
DON’T FORGET
Above all else believe in yourself and trust God with your future. Money is not everything and neither is your career. You will always be more than the title you hold or any award that you could earn. Your friendships and family (blood and by choice) are far more valuable than anything else in life. Forgive often, accept what you cannot change and spend time with your loved ones whenever possible.
Forty will come faster than you ever believed was possible. One day you will look back on today and the memories will be so fresh yet so distant. Remember that the choices that you make today will shape tomorrow. Make sure that you are building a future that you can be proud of.
Love,
your future self
