letter to my younger self

News/Updates/Links (10:03 am EST) Waiting For Frodo comic updated. I'll be moving this to "waitingforfrodo.com" pretty soon. LOTR updated. In case you missed it, Bryan Fullerton added a Guest Blathering yesterday.

Today's entry was written for an On Display collaborative project. Assignment: if you could write a letter to your younger self, what would you say?


It was a more difficult assignment than I expected. On the one hand, you want your younger self to avoid making certain mistakes that you made, and to prepare her/him for future heartbreak. On the other hand, there are some things we can only learn through trial and error, and there is really nothing one can say that will make heartbreak easier (and may possibly add dread about future possibilities to the mix).


I also opted to stick with point form rather than wordier text, mainly because I know that my younger self would pay more attention to advice that way. :-)


After some thought, I finally ended up the following letter:

Dear Debbie, You will always be a writer. Don't let yourself be distracted from this. Stop worrying so much about what other people think. When you bury your first diary in the backyard, make sure you draw a map so you can dig it up later if you want it back. You will never be happy in a corporate environment. Big breasts are over-rated. All those agonizing hours of piano practising will be worth it, trust me. Take more chances. Don't give up hope. Being a geeky nerd will be "in" one day. Think more deeply about consequences. Choose your friends wisely. It's better to have a few good friendships than many acquaintances. Work on your friendships. Don't let yourself get stressed out about little things. Focus on the bigger picture. Confide only in those you trust. You look fine. Pay more attention in Geography class. Always be honest with yourself, even if it hurts. When things seem overwhelmingly bad, concentrate on getting through one day at a time. You -will- get through it, even though it may not seem like it. Don't be such a goody two-shoes. Sometimes it's ok to break the rules. Don't obsess on the past. Confrontation isn't always bad. Sometimes it's better than living with regret. You -will- eventually meet boys you like and who like you. Get to know Mom better. It's okay to be different. Consider all the above to be a list of suggestions, not a blueprint. Whatever choices you end up making, you'll eventually find your way here anyway. Good luck. :-) Debbie

Today's Blatherpics:


Nerdy me. You'd think the school photographer would have told me to straighten my glasses before snapping this shot.

Feel free to suggest a daily poll question.


Today's Poll:

Do you still own one of the comfort toys you had as a child?