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Theme Week Recap

November 27, 2015November 27, 2015 Crystal // Dreams, etc. Post a comment
Theme Week Recap

Back in September I followed a prompt to write a letter to 16-year-old me. My mom loved it and wondered what it would be like if I wrote other posts like it. I think she had other types of posts in mind when she said that, but when I wrote that letter I thought it was a rather anticlimactic year to write about. Sixteen was just an ordinary year, but there are other years that I think back on and would probably be more interesting to write about.

A theme week recap with comments left by all of YOU! // dreams-etc.comA big thank you to everyone who stopped by the blog this week to join me on this adventure of looking back in time. I have to admit, I’m one of those who writes these letters and thinks it would be so cool if I actually could send this back in time… but then I think, “But of course I wouldn’t!” I mean, all of the TV shows and movies that involve time travel warn about giving too much information and, in doing so, changing events. And I really don’t think there’s anything in my life that I’d like to change. Sure, there have been some painful experiences that I definitely wouldn’t want to live through again, but everything has made me into the person that I am today and I wouldn’t want to change any of it.

It was so much fun to reflect on these different years, though! And I really enjoyed reading your thoughts as well. I wasn’t actually sure if anyone would respond with their own reflections, so I had another letter planned for today in case I didn’t have any comments for this post. Thankfully, there were comments! I actually have no idea what I would have written for that letter. šŸ™‚ Here is a recap of this week’s posts with comments from some of you! Be sure to click on everyone’s name so that you can take a look at their blogs.

A LETTER TO 7-YEAR-OLD ME

Right now, everything seems so big and cool and nothing seems impossible. You’re more carefree now than you will ever be again and that means that you are in such a special time of experiencing your world.”

A LETTER TO 12-YEAR-OLD ME

Can I give you a big hug? I feel like you need a big hug. You’ve needed one ever since you were 9 and your world changed. If you take one thing away from this letter, let it be this: you will get through this and you’ll be happier sooner than you expect.”

From Lorey: “12 was such an important age for me as well! We moved to a new town, I started going to a private school and made a bff that was almost as weird as me on the very first day- I’m still friends with her now, in fact. So funny to see what was so important and life changing to us then. Makes putting the things that seem like that to us now into perspective, as well.”

From Claire: “I would definitely say the same about the ‘cool’ kids. And that group of boys you really want to notice you? Well years down the line you will be glad they didn’t!!”

From Shamira: “I used to always want the “cool” & “cute” boys to notice me in school, but they never did. After seeing some of my old classmates on Facebook today, I am glad they didn’t notice me haha (they are not so cute anymore).”

From Emily: “Remember to shower and yeah, all those girls that spend hours curling their hair before basketball games? It’s okay you don’t do that. And you were right, the world still loves Justin Timberlake.” Yes! A girl in my class was wearing foundation at this age and I remember thinking that was so cool and I should too, except I was too lazy to actually get up in time to put that on everyday. Now I look back on it and I’m so glad I didn’t wear foundation at that age.

A LETTER TO 19-YEAR-OLD ME

You will look back on this year as being one of your favorites. If you had to go back in time and relive a year, it would be this one. You’re traveling a lot and finally finishing that book you’ve been writing for a couple of years. You are absolutely loving life.”

From Latonya: “I would inform my 19 year old self that things were about to make a swift change. The journey of beginning to know and love myself is on the horizon. No longer will I be a single individual, but soon married. There will be a lot of learning and growing. All for the good of making me better.”

From Sarah: “I would tell my 19 year old self to live up the carefree times. Enjoy your sorority sisters and college. Have fun and be less serious because these years are the ones you would willingly go back and do over. A great blessing is coming, and it will seem like a struggle, but the end result would be worth it.”

From Rachel: “I think, looking back, if I could say anything, it would be ‘Don’t stress! Just enjoy life the way it is right now without worrying so much about the future!'”

From Branson: “I would tell my 19-year-old self that not devoting my time and energy to college would be one of my biggest regrets. That while things were going to work out no matter what, choosing to take college seriously would likely be a game-changer.”

A LETTER TO 25-YEAR-OLD ME

The transition that you’re in now is a strange one and you don’t know what to feel. You are really wishing that there was a guaranteed next step after graduating from college or some way that you would know things will work out since you’re feeling a little stuck. So, here are a few things to keep in mind as you deal with this quarter-life panic/crisis and move forward.”

It was so much fun to read everyone’s thoughts and see what they’d say to themselves at some of these ages. I loved how many similarities there were–like how many people mentioned that they wanted someone to notice them at 12, but now are glad that these people didn’t. It’s cool to see shared experiences like that… I wasn’t alone in feeling that way.

Thank you to everyone who reflected on their lives at each of these ages and everyone who stopped by to say that you enjoyed these posts.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

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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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.

If only we always remembered to be in touch with o If only we always remembered to be in touch with our loved ones regularly; to tell them that we love them.

This thought has been on my mind the last few weeks as I’ve been in touch with one of my best friends almost daily. They’ve been navigating a scary situation.

But that’s what everyone says, isn’t it? Reach out to those you love. Tell them you love them. Don’t let a lot of time pass.

We all know that. We think about it sometimes. We hear about it when others are in crisis. We’re thankful that we aren’t the ones in crisis and we can remember this lesson through someone else.

But eventually we get caught up in life. Our daily ā€œI love you’sā€ are reserved for those we live with and sometimes we forget to text someone back… or it takes a few days to do so.

This week as I wondered why we don’t remember this more often I realized it’s probably a good thing. It’s a good thing that we can live life without worrying that tragedy is right around the corner. That would be an exhausting way to live.

It’s also good that we can get little reminders, sometimes not from our own life. So from someone who spent one week numb, another week weepy, and this week sad, remember to send your friends a text. Tell them you love them.
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.
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