What would I tell myself?

Dear 18-year-old Rachel,

You will survive this heartache. There is soooooo much more to life than what you can currently see. The world is not ending. In fact, you will be better because of it. Hang in there.

XO,

28-year-old Rachel

Dear 19-year-old Rachel,

You’ll adopt this idea that maybe God does not hear your prayers. That maybe he has left you. You’ll come to realize he actually was answering them, bigger and better than your wildest dream. Hang in there.

XO,

28-year-old Rachel

Dear 20-year-old Rachel,

Consider paying more attention in your nutrition class. You will later be more interested. Do a few more things that aren’t a resume builder, you really don’t have to be so strict, I promise. Life has a way of happening despite your attempts to manhandle it.

XO,

28-year-old Rachel

Dear 21-year-old Rachel,

Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach, say yes often, this year you have a lot of fun, enjoy it. You frequently feel like you need to be more serious, that you need to “get your life together”. You actually don’t. Just have fun.

XO,

28-year-old Rachel

Dear 22-year-old Rachel,

Gosh, this is a special year! Don’t let the stress weigh you down so much (I know it feels so stressful graduating) but God is so much bigger than you realize. He really won’t let you miss it. He has a gift of placing people in the right place at the right time. I promise.

XO,

28-year-old Rachel

Dear 23-year-old Rachel,

Have some grace. This is a transitional time. Also, open a travel credit card (sorry Dave). The rest of your 20’s will be spent at the airport and the sooner you rack up points the better off you’ll be. Watch a few more cooking videos, no one warns you in adulthood you are forced to cook 3x a day or spend $1,000 eating out

XO,

28-year-old Rachel

Dear 24-year-old Rachel,

Add some whimsy where you can. I know getting your master’s requires a strict schedule, but you are still barely an adult. Design the life, the room, the things you love! Not what instagram tells you to love.

XO,

28-year-old Rachel

Dear 25-year-old Rachel,

25 feels seasoned, like you should know what you are doing. The sooner you realize no one knows what they are doing, the better off you will be.I promise you really won’t miss it, God really is good.

XO,

28-year-old Rachel

Dear 26-year-old Rachel,

I really think you are beginning to understand living life to the full. I’d like to remind you that it all comes out in the wash though. Also, whatever you don’t like about your life, you can change. These rules you live by aren’t actually real. Just make the changes you want to make, guilt free.

XO,

28-year-old Rachel

Dear 27-year-old Rachel,

Love actually was correct. Love actually is all around. Maybe not in the way you would expect, but it is so near. Savor a regular day. Those are really special. Also, you’ll be so proud of the changes you make. Don’t overthink it.

XO,

28-year-old Rachel