A Letter to My 13-year old Self

Shilpa Shenoy
SYBCOM-F

Dear 13 year old Shilpa,

How are you doing? I know your school life is quite hectic. You study hard. Most of the time, the only thing you do is study. You are a bright student. But please do take out a good amount of time for yourself. Self-love is not just confined to be done during vacations. At Least on Sundays please take out a little ‘Me Time’ for yourself. Just pursue some hobby. Read fiction books that you always wanted to read. Just dance your heart out. Watch your favourite show. Just follow your heart’s calling.

You think differently I know as compared to teens of your age. You are an old school person in a modern world I understand. But don’t expect others to think the same way you do. Everyone’s different.  Accept the fact and move ahead. I understand that you get hurt when people say or do mean things to you. But don’t be mean to them just because they are. Don’t fall down to their level. Sprinkle kindness wherever you go. You can’t change the way others behave but you can definitely change your behaviour towards them.

No one is perfect, Shilpa. And I mean it, literally NO ONE. Try to understand that. You are not perfect either. It’s fine if you lose in competitions sometimes. It’s perfectly fine if you forget your speech on stage sometimes. You are human too. It happens sometimes even if you are well prepared. Please don’t lose your self-confidence. Take the setbacks as a challenge and rise up from all your fears. Afterall, ‘Failures are the stepping stones towards success.’

Please Shilpa, stop taking stress over petty issues. Please stop thinking how others will make fun of you if you wear spectacles. Another person’s rude behaviour towards you shouldn’t bother you. Same applies to you too. Don’t judge anyone by their physical appearance. Someone rightly said ‘Never judge a book by its cover.’ Life is too short to waste your time by taking stress. Life is just like ice-cream. Enjoy before it melts. These teen years are not going to come back again. Stop believing everything your mind says to you. Mind sometimes plays games. Don’t let your mind become your greatest enemy.  It’s ok if you don’t get a good night’s sleep during your school exams. It happens sometimes. Don’t worry. The more you worry, the more sleep deprived you will be. Do more smart work then hard work. Stop thinking about those people for whom you don’t matter at all. But appreciate the ones who are there for you always. Those who have accepted you with all your flaws with open arms are for keeps. Such people are gems.

Sometimes, you consider someone as your best friend and they end up cheating or hurting you. Don’t cry because of them. I know it has happened to you. I know that the girl you thought was your best friend cheated on you. I also know that you overheard her talking out of jealousy with someone else that something bad should happen to your legs during the running race. So that you won’t be able to run and like always you won’t bag the first prize. I know it hurts. It breaks your heart. Maybe they don’t know what mistake they are committing. You are precious but sadly they don’t know your value. It’s their loss, Shilpa. Cut all contacts from such so- called friends. They don’t deserve you. You deserve better. Everything is God’s plan. Just think that God is making room in your life for some other friend. Just be grateful for everything. Look at the positive side in every situation. I know Shilpa that you are a little (not too little by the way) pessimistic person. But that is something you need to work on to change yourself.

Many opportunities are coming your way. Grab it before it’s too late. I know you have self- confidence issues but when someone is showing faith in you that you can do it, then respect their belief in you. You are so talented Shilpa that you can do anything if you put your mind to it.

Your parents know you more than you know yourself. Listen to your parents. Whatever they say is always for your own good. Try to understand their point of view. Respect your sister. She is older than you. Give her the same amount of reverence as you give other elders.

Don’t try to change yourself for others. Don’t try to imitate someone else to impress anyone. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be the best version of yourself. You should try impressing yourself with your talent, your passion.

Last but not the least, love yourself.

With lots of love,
From your 19 year old version.