I ask myself this question every once in a while, and the answer below is one that I keep coming back to:
“You will change a lot, and that’s okay. Sometimes it’s circumstance, sometimes it’s the gradual realization that part of your identity does not fit you anymore.
Going back 5 years in this journal, the goals I set for myself are not the the goals I’ve achieved. I don’t yearn for them anymore the way I used to, and they won’t make it to the list in 2022.
My past self will feel bad and beat herself up for this, but my present self should know better now after all the life events of the past few years.
Future self, when you go back and read this, I hope you keep a high level of self-awareness so that you know when to keep going and when to let go.
Please take time to listen to yourself. When your body complains, listen. When your thoughts get cluttered, listen. They are trying to tell you something important that you should care about.
Remember that you have more control of your time and energy than you think. Give yourself the power of directing your life and hold your accountable for it.
You are capable, dependable, and full of potential.
Demand the best of yourself, stick to your core values, and share your light with others.”
-Excerpt from my journal, dated 2 January 2022
We’re heading towards the last quarter of 2023 but this message from my 2022 self still rings true. At the time I wrote this, I just wrapped up my year-end evaluation and I felt hopeful for what the next year would bring.
Needless to say, things did not all go according to plan and I didn’t achieve all the goals I set in 2022. However, I believe I still ended up where I’m meant to be and this message from my past self reassures me that it’s okay to deviate from the path you thought you’d be on.
To honor this message from my past self: I’ll try my best to practice constant reflection and make mindful choices so that months from now when I look back on 2023, I know I lived as my best self everyday.