Sincerely, Jennifer x

Hello Jennifer,

Typically, at this time of year, I write a little something to the girl of yesterday but this year, I will write to the girl of tomorrow. I couldn’t warn you about this year. You would never believe me, so instead, I will reach out into the future and hope that it will be better than what I have just endured. 

You made it through it all, and now, there are three hundred and sixty six days ahead of you to find happiness. 

Next year is a leap year. I’ve always thought that they were lucky, so you’ll be starting the year on a good start. 

There were so many times in the last year that we thought we couldn’t carry on, but next year, so much that has troubled you will be over, and for the first time in a long time, you will be able to breathe. So breathe. Do so selfishly, and with great abandon. 

There is nothing more to escape from. There are no more monsters to hide from. All that there is waiting for you as you walk from one year to another is hope. 

Your grandma took you aside on Christmas Day to tell you that she was proud of you, for all of the ways that you have kept going in the last year, and in that moment, you realised that the long journey that had consumed your life was almost over. 

I don’t want to reflect. I want to imagine the things you will do with your year, and how proud I will be of you, when you write to me in the future. 

I ask of you only three things. 

Number one. Accept adventure. You have played it safe for your whole life, and you are missing out on so much because of that. Please be spontaneous. Please break your routines. Please try new food. Please make conversation. 

If you don’t like it, just spit it into your napkin and try something else. The world is waiting for you. 

Number two. Abandon people pleasing. This one will be very hard, but while I’m in no mood to revisit the last year, I will tell you this. Many of the people you bent over backwards for abandoned you in your time of need, and then came running back when they thought the coast was clear. 

You do not have an obligation to solve everybody’s problems. 

You do not have an obligation to allow others to speak over you. 

You do not have an obligation to be the world’s comfort blanket. 

You deserve better. I am demanding better. Please yourself, for once. 

Number three. Cherish the days, and cherish the freedom and happiness that is on the way to you. Remember how you feel when the sun shines and you have no weight on your shoulders. 

Keep those moments close to your heart, because they will be your sanctuary if your days fall into darkness again. 

I await your visit, with a hopeful heart, once your year is through. 

Good luck. 

Sincerely,

Jennifer x