Dear Bel,

I hope this letter finds you well and I hope you are enjoying every minute of your youth, not taking a single experience for granted. I hope this letter finds you excited as you are constantly meeting new people, exploring new places, and learning new things. I hope this letter finds you grateful for all your family and friends that have been your biggest supporters and helpers in making your wildest dreams come true.

You should be proud of all that you have accomplished and optimistic about the many life changing moments that have yet to come. I just want you to know that the belief you’ve had in yourself all these years paid off. Your spontaneity and perseverance brought you to places you could only ever imagine yourself being in. 

You graduated college with many unique perspectives on new cultures, the way people all over the world form connections, and what it truly means to be a global citizen. You will be eternally grateful for those experiences while traveling and studying abroad. In essence, they led you to finally figuring out how to incorporate your passions with work and you were able to start your own non-profit overseas. And that degree you have worked so hard for? It was worth it. Your dream job working at WWF or the EPA soon became a reality. 

Reflecting your typical indecisive ways, it came as no surprise to me when you could never fully commit to settling down in one particular place as your twenties were coming to a close. However, the desire to start a family fought back against this mentality and won. Living in a dozen different cities by the time you retired was all you ever wanted, but those three dogs, two kids, and minimalistic house on the lake stole your heart. 

I know it is easier said than done, but try not to waste too much of your precious time on Earth stressing over what you can’t control or trying to plan out too much of your life. Focus on the present day, your current health and happiness, and while the rest may not come easily, it will all unfold how it is meant to be. Putting career and personal life aside, be sure to never lose sight of your end goal being to make a positive impact on each of the lives you touch. 

Sincerely,

Your Future Self 

P.S. Promise me to never give up on those wild dreams.