Day 7: In Chapter Five, I write a letter to a past version of myself to share with her the struggles she would soon face. Write a letter to a past version of yourself, at any time in your life, letting her know that whatever is up ahead for her, she is ENOUGH to handle it.
Dear 2016 Jordan,
This next year is going to be an interesting one for you. You’re going to be tested many times. Literally, you have a full year of graduate school ahead of you, and there will be moments when you’re going to want to pull your hair out with all of your studies. You’re going to make a lot of sacrifices. You’re not going to have much time for a social life. You’re barely going to see your family or your friends. You will live, eat, breathe, and sleep school and work for the entire year. Your packed schedule will absolutely get the best of you some days. You will have days that end in absolute tears.
You’re going to doubt yourself. A lot. You’re going to question if you’ve made the right decision. You’re going to get frustrated and want to throw in the towel. You’re going to wonder if it’s all going to be worth it. Just as you’re starting to get some kind of routine going in your Spring semester, your dad will have a health scare that will throw you for a loop. You will worry, and you will be scared, but he is strong and will be okay. You’re going to realize just how amazing your family is as a support system.
Your little sister will graduate college, and you’ll be so proud of her. You’ll make it just in time for her graduation, even though you’ll have to leave and be back at work not long after it. Again with the sacrifices. They’ll certainly test you, but they’ll force you to prioritize what’s really important in your life. You won’t realize this in the moment, but it’s something that you’ll look back on in your later years and be grateful for.
The end of 2016 is what will really test you. Not only will you be in your toughest semester of graduate school to date, but you will deal with your own health issues that will really set things into perspective for you. These health issues will worry you and consume you for awhile. Honestly, it’s going to take a hard hit at your self-esteem that will linger for the following year until you finally receive an all-clear from your doctor. Still, you won’t ever fully look at things the same way ever again.
However, despite the trials and tribulations that you will face this year, it will end on a positive note. You’ll graduate with your Master’s with a 4.0, and you will make the move of your dreams in 2017. I know it all seems impossible right now, and you think that there is no end in sight, but I promise you this too shall pass. This won’t be one of your most fun years. It’ll be one of your hardest working years to live through, but it will certainly pay off in the end. You’re going to learn so much more about yourself and your strength. So, even though it will be extremely hard, you will handle it all with grace. You will overcome it and pave the way for your future successes. Don’t give up just yet. You’re worth it. I promise.
Love,
2018 Jordan
La Bella Vita 