Focus On Yourself

A letter to my future self.

People say that the best time of life is while one is in college. Two years in and I’ve never felt so stressed in my life. I have to think about homework, studying, getting involved on campus, having a steady job, thinking about my family, about bills, and so many more things. How can these be the best years of my life? 

As a stressful person I have damaged myself enough, mentally and emotionally. I have let myself be consumed by my daily stress; something that could’ve been easily controlled. As my second year ends in college, I now have finally understood why these are the best years of my life. I may be seeing it from a different viewpoint, but I assure you, future self, that the next few things I’m going to say are going to make you want to live the last few years of your life with a more positive mind.  

While in college, we are supposed to be learning about ourselves! So why haven’t you gone out into the city more?  Have you visited all the art museums, clubs that bring in awesome new bands, or even gone to restaurants that are considered the best in the area? Do not limit yourself to what you can only see. St. Kate’s is where you get your education, it is not where you stay in a building for the whole year and magically learn many things about yourself. Don’t get me wrong– you’ve definitely grown because of classroom discussions! 

You need to stop stressing about things you can’t control in life! Allow time to take its course. You are only capable of so much. You don’t know what you’re doing next year? Sometimes no one knows what they’re eating for the night! Make sure you take a breather and just live life in the moment. Every second is special; your seconds should not always be dealing with stress. You will hurt yourself in the long run by allowing your mental health to go downhill. Stress should not order you around. You are your body, you get the power to control yourself. If you need help, do not be afraid to find the right help for you! 

Money is always a conern. One time you heard your aunt say, “We will always need money, want money in life. Do what you can with what you have, if you know it’s what you want to do.” Don’t allow money to be a setback. If you want to have fun and don’t want to waste your money, use creativity to have fun and to enjoy your days in college. College itself is not cheap! Make every minute count in class and use other resources that your university offers. When you focus on yourself, you start realizing all the things you need and you start brainstorming ideas of how to obtain these things. 

One last thing, do not fuss with friendships. If someone wants to be your friend, allow them in to your life with open arms. If you don’t know them, you can’t judge them. Make sure these friends value you for who you are. If you show them your worst and they stick around, then they definitely deserve you at your best days to come. Of course there will always be friendship problems, don’t allow yourself to get so caught up with negativity of others in your life. If they’re meant to be in your life, enjoy them. If they’re not meant to be in your life, let them go. 

To become a strong human, you must allow yourself to learn from yourself. Frida Kahlo was all about drawing her self potrait. The reason was because that was the best person she knew. Our body and mind deserve to be given time to heal and be taken care of. If you do not focus on yourself, things in life will become rough and bumpy. This will lead you to another downfall that you absolutely do not want. 

Stay strong. Be positive. And always allow the good vibes to roll in. – Sincerely, your younger self. 

• focus
• good vibes
• love
• mental health
• positive