TO SOMEONE WHO IS ALMOST 30

You’ve spent so many years enjoying your 20’s and life always looked so cool and glamorous. It was filled with love and laughter. While having messy rooms, life was messier. You always followed the latest fashion trend. You always felt you had nothing to wear even when your closet was full of clothes (I feel this every day) and laundry bags were overflowing. Now, you are unable to fit into your cute little red dress. You have been googling how to lose weight and tried all possible diets! You have been trying so hard to keep your tummy flat. Sounds familiar! Oh well, you are not alone.

Yes, different people are doing different things right now. Life is no longer the same.

Your best friends have kids. Your old classmate is killing it with success. Your ex is happy. Your old mate is drowning in drugs. Half your college mates are abroad. No matter how much your paycheck is, it is never enough money.  Different people are doing different things. But not you, you just exist. You’re getting through everyday a little better than the last. But then you have days where you can’t get up at all.

This life you’re living doesn’t feel complete. Loneliness wraps around you like a blanket you love and you wonder where you went wrong.

“Did I do too much too soon? Did I not do enough? Did I miss that opportunity? Is this going to be the rest of my life? Why am I alone? Why am I unsuccessful?” It goes on. And when you wake up, it’s worse. A memory of last night frustratingly haunts your hammering mind. Yet another mistake. Yet again.

You scream hateful words to yourself. When will I ever learn? You go over those messages. Those conversations. How you fell right back into a ditch when you knew better. Just for a moment, you wish you weren’t yourself.

And in that moment, read these words:

Breathe. It’s not so bad. I’m in the same boat too. I’ve made that call. I’ve texted that wrong person. I’ve woken up with regrets. I still do. I’ve felt the need to be held. I’ve felt that silent green monster towards that colleague at work.

Yes, we all make those mistakes. And we all think nobody else does. But they do.

So please, don’t hate yourself. And don’t stop being you. Don’t stop dressing up.  Don’t stop trying that diet. Don’t stop dreaming of fairy-tales. You might not always get there, but don’t stop.

You have so much left to do. You have a world filled with life waiting to happen. You have books to be written. Steps to be taken. Places to see. People to meet. Shopping centers that you haven’t explored.  Makeovers that you haven’t tried. You haven’t lived half your life yet. There’s so much ahead. And in ten years, when you look back, you’ll wish you were here again.

And ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS remember – It’s okay to be alone in a crowd or in a room full of people. I know how it feels.

Don’t lose yourself to pity-party. Do the simple things. Stop procrastinating. Take a walk in the rain. Exercise. Swim. Watch your favorite movie for the millionth time. Write your dairy. Sketch until you’re better than the best. Eat like you’re dying tomorrow. And most importantly, make mistakes. Your heart will heal. But today will never be back again. Don’t live with “Could-have-been’s.” Take chances.

But because you deserve to wake up with a smile. You deserve to live life. To make memories so wild, you’ll be the coolest grandparent they’ve ever known.