December 21 – Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?)

Despite my tendency to plan, I rarely plan more than a year ahead. But I have expected that the me of the future will have gained experience that refutes what I say now. At least I hope so…that all decisions are made carefully considered.

But here it goes:

Dear Jenn of 5 years from now,

I realize that the word friend has always been a shaky, uncertain word. With trust, dependency and convenience. But now…and perhaps I will be disproven, there’s nothing to lose by making a new friend. You’ll never know what you may discover and learn. Be honest and shameless in finding new friends. Then remember always to show your appreciation. If you lie thinking whether you showed enough appreciation, you didn’t.

By this time, I hope that you are settled in something permanent than an apartment that is still in a “temporary” state. If you haven’t found something permanent, find it now. Whether it is the loved furniture or even a place in a community.

Marriage, highly influenced by living in San Francisco, should not be a decision by others. Nobody should tell you that it’s time to get married. Furthermore, it’s intended to be a cultural thing that represents an unbreakable bond. Show unbreakable bonds through other ways. And why marry…if society demands it? Marry only for practical reasons (e.g. insurance) rather than because someone told you to do so.

Also, remember to put nouns in sentences and not drop them.

Jenn

Jenn of 10 years,

Don’t forget how it was like to be young. Act like it.

Jenn