The world feels a bit heavy right now. The daylight fades too fast, the to-do lists get longer, and I miss when my biggest dilemma was simply: chicken nuggets or not? 

Then the other day, mid-shampoo in the shower, I had a thought: what if I wrote a letter to my younger self?

So here it is, a little love letter to my younger self. And if you ever doubt yourself, even for a second, try writing one too. You’ll see just how far you’ve come.

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Dear younger Ren,

Wow—there are so many things I want to tell you, I don’t even know where to begin!

Let’s start here:

You do not need to have it all figured out. Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and oh boy, you’re going to go through them.

Remember: your pathway is unique. It won’t always look like everyone else’s. You might not rush through milestones the way others do. But that doesn’t make you a late bloomer—it just means your story has its own rhythm. Trust the process, keep your faith, it does get better.

You’ll come to realise how resilient and brave you are. Even when life feels impossibly hard, it will still hold beauty.

And here’s a big one: never, ever apologise for being yourself. You are incredible, exactly as you are.

Those days at school when you floated between groups, unsure who your real friends were? When your acne made you self-conscious, when girls in the PE changing room made comments about your body, or when someone threw a racist “joke” your way? None of that will break you. You’ll go on to find the most stunning group of friends and community who will celebrate you, fully and unapologetically. You’ll learn to embrace yourself, love the skin you’re in, and refuse to dim your light.

You come from a creative, musical background, and that part of you will bloom one day. It’s okay to be different. Your vulnerability is a strength—it’ll surprise you how much power comes from sharing it with the world.

Speaking of strength: girl, you’re stronger than you know. You’ll go on solo adventures, travel the world, and meet people who not only share your interests, but your values too.

You’ll get to know yourself in ways you never expected. You’ll grow spiritually—at first you’ll just feel it, then you’ll own it.

Follow your heart, even when the road feels uncertain. Sometimes it won’t serve you, but every detour will be a lesson and a blessing. You’ll think you’ve found true love a few times, but the best chapters of your story are still to come.

Be kind to yourself. Eat comfort food when you need it. Because yes, your heart will break—a few times, actually. And yes, you’ll go to therapy. But you’ll come out the other side stronger, knowing what love truly means to you, and you’ll never settle for less again.

Stand up for yourself. Trust your instincts. Your career path won’t be a straight line, it’ll twist, challenge you, and change. But that’s just growing up: trial and error. Your timing is your own, and the universe will deliver. In the meantime, learn to enjoy the present.

Please stop being so hard on yourself. I know you set high expectations, but you don’t need to be perfect. Perfect doesn’t exist.

The older you get, the more you’ll realise who your true friends are. Some will drift away, and others you’ll choose to let go of because they no longer serve you. That will sting, but it’s okay, because you’ll also have fated encounters that feel like gifts.

You’ll still sing and dance in your bedroom at 28, by the way, belting out to High School Musical & Hannah Montana. You’ll find great comfort in knowing that yes, you’re technically an adult, but really you’re just a big kid (and your friends will say the same).

When you were born, your parents gave you a little soft toy called Molly. She’ll still be with you, even when you’re married with kids of your own. 

Crying will be a thing. You’ll have doubts, down days, and tears. But it will also be a release. And sometimes, the role between you and your parents will reverse: you’ll be the one communicating or offering wisdom. This will be beautiful—it will show they’re willing to meet you where you are.

You’ll worry about things you can’t control, so start drilling into your head now that it’s vital to look after your physical and mental health. (Yes, that means moving your body and not sitting like a bent prawn at your desk all day).

Honestly though, don’t waste energy worrying about exams, fitting in, or being “behind.” Life isn’t about racing to a finish line. It’s a messy journey.

Some of your happiest moments will come from the tiniest joys: chasing sunsets, laughing with friends who feel like family, cooking, buying a new candle just because, walking in nature, freedom.

Gratitude will become essential to you. You’ll practice it often. You’ll even be grateful for the time you spent as a young carer for your nan. It won’t be easy, but it will be precious. Hug her tighter, because one day you’ll hold those memories close.

Yes, you’ll overthink. Yes, you’ll be sensitive. But instead of hating it, you’ll learn to embrace it. Not everyone will like you, and that’s okay. You’ll stop trying to please everyone.

Rejection will sting, but it will always be in your favour. It’s all part of alignment.

When life feels heavy, don’t hide your pain. Share it. It will remind others they’re not alone—and it’s in those lowest moments that breakthroughs happen.

You’ll make mistakes. You’ll mess up at work, say the wrong thing, lose your temper. But you’ll learn, grow, and hold yourself accountable. Reflection will become your superpower. You’ll learn to celebrate your independence, your self-worth, and your confidence.

Oh, and those days when you feel “too much”? They’ll become your magic. People will love you because of those things.

You’ll be taken for granted at times. You’ll learn to forgive, but you’ll also learn to set boundaries. Don’t let fear hold you back. Don’t let anyone walk over you.

Nurture your relationships. Tell people how much they mean to you.

Younger Ren, you’re going to be so proud of who you grow into. You’re kind, empathetic, quirky—and that’s exactly what makes you loveable. I wish I could hug you, to remind you that even when you feel it, you’re never truly alone.

So stop. Breathe. Remember: you’re going to make it through. All you need to do is keep working on becoming the best version of yourself.

Love,
Your future self.

P.S – Can’t wait to see what plot twists are waiting for us!