Dear Self,
It’s okay not to be okay. A pandemic is happening, your college switched to online mid-semester, Broadway and Hollywood both shutdown, you lost your friend in a car crash, your father almost died this summer, and 2020 has brought the best and worst out of people. There is a lot going on.
Sure, your senior year of college is not going as planned, but a lot of people are dealing with your same issue. We will get through this. You learned to self-tape, which is going to help your career in the long run. You’ve gained more confidence with filming on-camera, and vocal lessons are easier online. There are benefits to remote learning.
Times are scary right now with a pandemic going on and with people not wearing masks and partying. You can’t control what others do with their lives, which can be the hardest part. It is very frustrating seeing people doing this, but hopefully, the majority of people will be mindful and be respectful. Just keep wearing a mask, washing your hands, and social distancing in order to keep everyone safe.
It’s totally understandable to feel nervous about the political situation going on. You are deeply affected by it since you are a Latina woman in America. You’ve been scared when Richard Spencer came to your college town just to spew hate less than a mile away from where you were living. You’ve experienced microaggressions from certain people giving you grief just based on the color of your skin. As your mom always says, “Just smile and act polite, cause it will shock them quiet!” Hopefully, the world will become more welcoming to BIPOC after the election. Also, please remember to turn off the News every once in a while for your mental well-being!
Don’t put pressure on yourself to be someone else. It’s hard not to think like that but try to be more mindful. You are doing the best you can right now, and that is enough. Stop comparing yourself to others. Enjoy turning 22 in November and stop creating a race inside your mind. Now is not the time to treat your mind and body badly.
And please, remember to take it day by day. You’re doing great. We are all going to get through this together. Hopefully, empathy will be more prevalent in the weeks to come and the change we need will come!
Love,
Naomi