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Life

A Letter to 16-Year-Old Me

September 9, 2015May 26, 2019 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 7 comments
A Letter to 16-Year-Old Me

dreamsetc-lettertomeinhs(I hope you all enjoy this photo of me from Halloween, before I learned how to do makeup.)

Hey Crystal,

It’s me. Well, you. You in the future. When I think back to this year that you’re in, your sixteenth year, I smile. It’s hard to think of what I struggled with–what you are struggling with–at that age. I can think back to fourth grade. (Are you still blocking out that you were once that kid? Well, it becomes less embarrassing when you’re older and is part of your story, one that you share freely, because you were just an angry kid who screamed and refused to go to school. It wasn’t one of your prouder moments, but you grew up and learned from it.) And I can think back to middle school, because those years were tough.

It makes me happy to look back and realize that it takes some deep reflection to think of what you might need to hear from me. Sixteen wasn’t such a bad age. You basically looked ahead to your future and immersed yourself in your stories.

Keep doing that! Writing anything and everything that comes to mind now–no matter how silly it might seem. It’s going to help you out so much when you’re older. Yes, even those stories you’re writing because you imagine Goran Visnjic starring in a movie adaptation. You’re writing and that’s all that matters. Get those words out and learn how to plot, to create characters and, most importantly, to develop a daily practice of writing.

And keep dreaming about your future. Between you and me, if I told you what we’re doing right now, in our late 20’s, you’d probably laugh. In fact, if I told you what we did all through our 20’s, you’d probably laugh. But all those dreams and plans you’re making right now, they’re going to help shape and mold you as you get older. So keep dreaming, even the outlandish ones, and don’t let anyone tell you that your dreams are silly.

Don’t listen to what others have to say about the decisions you make, either–particularly those who don’t know you well. There are going to be a lot of people who tell you that you should do certain things (like go to prom) and if you don’t do these things you’ll regret it (you won’t). They’ll even try to tell you what colleges they think you should go to. Get used to it–you’ll make a lot of decisions that are unpopular–but don’t listen to them. Listen to the legitimate concerns and advice from those who know you well, but block out the rest and don’t let them get you down. Listen to your head and your gut and make the decisions that are best for you.

Most of all, I just want to tell you to keep doing what you’re doing. Your insecurities come out and you doubt yourself. A lot. You look at people around you think about how talented they are and how much they have to offer. You are talented and have a lot to offer to those around you, too. Remember that.

Keep doing what you’re doing!

Crystal

Brave Love Blog

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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7 comments

  1. jill conyers says:
    September 9, 2015 at 8:03 am

    Hi Crystal. Visiting from the Fit Dish link up. Congrats for making the leap to WP. I love the design and splash of color.

    Reply
  2. chelsea jacobs says:
    September 9, 2015 at 1:31 pm

    Love this. Mine would read similarly!

    Reply
  3. Krysten says:
    September 9, 2015 at 6:57 pm

    Mine would pretty much be “stop being so boy crazy and do your damn homework!”

    Reply
  4. Erica says:
    September 9, 2015 at 7:32 pm

    This is a lovely letter to your sixteen year old self. I especially like that you encourage yourself to just continue being you! šŸ™‚

    Reply
  5. Nichole aka CuppaGeek says:
    September 9, 2015 at 8:07 pm

    This is fantastic and how therapeutic! I am going to do this tonight.

    Reply
  6. Tara says:
    September 9, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    What a great picture of you!! I love it!!

    Oh man, I know exactly what you mean about thinking your 16 year old self would laugh at what you’re doing now. I know 16 year old Tara would be very disappointed that I’m not a Broadway actress by now.

    Yes, even those stories you’re writing because you imagine Goran Visnjic starring in a movie adaptation.
    LOL! Yes!!!! Oh Goran.

    Reply
  7. Sheryl says:
    September 10, 2015 at 12:06 am

    I love exercises and letters like these. We all need to go back and revisit who we were at 16.

    Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. šŸ’™
Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. ā€œThe water looks cold,ā€ I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. šŸ˜‚)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. šŸ˜ PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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