Reverb 1. Letter to my younger self.

Dear Kittens,

I’m participating in Reverb this year and I’m behind because I spent last weekend in Las Vegas. I’m going to try my best to catch up lickity split!

I will admit to cheating a bit here. I’ve done this exercise before somewhere else. I thought about writing a fresh letter, but I REALLY like this one and want to share it.

Dear 10 Year Old Catie,
You are in this moment, everything you will ever need to be. You have a strong moral compass, you are driven, you are strong and smart and you know exactly who you are in this world and what you want for yourself. I know you’re in a hurry to be a grown up and I totally get that, but I hope you keep these things in mind as you get older.
1. You always know the right thing to do. When you think you feel confused, that’s just because what your heart wants to be true and what is really true do not agree. Go with what’s really true. You will never once be sorry for taking that route. It might hurt in the moment, but when you get even 10 seconds away from the situation, you’ll be so glad.
2. Right now your relationship with your dad is okay. In about 3 years, it’s going to get really, really hard. It will be tricky because there will be some great things about this relationship, don’t spend too much time thinking that the great things are worth the really shit things. It’s okay to distance yourself from him. It’s okay to see him less. It’s okay to end that relationship as soon as you possibly can (don’t wait until you’re 32). Here is where the rubber meets the road for you. When you end your relationship with your dad, you will realize that you are an exceptionally strong person and you will never regret doing this. You’ll be sorry that it needed to be done, but you will never be sorry that you did it.
3. This is a three parter.
a) People always tell you who they are. Pay attention. Who someone really is, is not always going to match up with who you want them to be. You will save yourself so much trouble if you just pay attention. 

b) Being an adult is even more awesome than you think it’s going to be. Don’t listen to people who complain about responsibility. Taking responsibility sets you free. You get to design your life and do whatever you want to and it’s 100% because you accept responsibility as a gift and not a burden.

c) Ask for help sooner. People want to help, let them. You figure out a lot of stuff on your own and that’s awesome, but asking for help is awesome too. Give people the opportunity to be there for you.
Love,

43 Year Old Catie

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