The following blog features a blend of letters written by residents of Givens Communities, who have chosen to remain anonymous, as part of the “Younger Me” summer internship project by Nehanshi Dani. Read more about her personal advice and reflections here.
Dear Younger Me,
I hope this letter finds you in good spirits and full of curiosity about what’s to come. I’ve been reflecting a lot on our journey—laughing about the silly mistakes, shedding tears over past pains, and celebrating the joys along the way. It can be overwhelming to look back on everything, especially high school, which seems so much clearer and more manageable from this distance. While those days might have felt challenging, with moments of feeling unattractive or out of place, many of your closest friends from that time are still with you, and you’ll continue to cherish those connections.
Here’s what I want you to remember:
You are worthy and beautiful just as you are. Your unique talents and skills will serve you well throughout your life. Understand that not everyone can be your closest friend, so choose your companions wisely. Take the time to get to know those who are marginalized or less popular—you never know where their paths might lead or what extraordinary things they might achieve.
Don’t let circumstances drive away your dreams.
If you want something, remember that delays are not failures. Learn to communicate effectively and master the art of reading, understanding, and reasoning. These skills will be essential for a fulfilling life.
College will bring new experiences—being away from home, making both good and not-so-good choices. Your first “bad” grade won’t define your future, and who knows, you might question why you ever needed to learn German. Embrace the opportunity to meet diverse people, explore different interests, and take classes that broaden your understanding of your country, the world, and beyond. Choose your friends and partners thoughtfully and stay open to lifelong learning.
Find something positive in everyone you meet and every experience you have. Learn to recognize the good and let go of the negative as soon as possible. Even when you feel you’ve learned enough, remember that every lesson has helped shape your character and strength.
There will be dreams that don’t materialize and goals that remain unachieved.
Yet, your steadfast friends will keep you grounded, support you, and celebrate your successes with you. Some people may not contribute positively to your life and might even add to your burdens. Remember, healing is powerful, and you don’t have to stay broken.
Just as mosaics are beautiful because they are often repaired with gold, you too can find beauty and strength in your healing.
There have been goals not met, dreams not realized, and a bucket still full of many things that might never get checked off. Stay healthy in mind and spirit, nurture your friendships, and build meaningful relationships. Read, write, and meditate. Understand that intimacy and trust are delicate gifts, and not everyone can give or receive them. Appreciate the natural world and remember that life is always worth living and fighting for. Success isn’t measured by the same standards you might have had in your earlier years.
Embrace your journey, and don’t forget to enjoy some dark chocolate raspberry truffle ice cream from time to time.
Believe in yourself and your ability to achieve great things. You have so much potential, and every step you take towards your goals is a step towards becoming the person you’re meant to be.
Gorilla Glue will also work just fine for a lot of things, as well.
With all my best wishes and encouragement,
Older you.
