Write a Letter to Your Younger Self

"Be brave – speak out, have an opinion, make suggestions – you will be amazed how well that will be received."

"What about the ‘golden fish’ you found in shale on the pit bank? How did it get in there? Pity it went rusty soon after."

I hesitated before starting this letter – the last thing I want to do is come over all preachy. (I know you won’t like that.)

"I am writing to you or is it me, just to let you know that life is wonderful and yet tragic on occasions but YOU/ME are stronger than we think we are..."

'Well, in this case, I really do hope so, because changes in the way you think and act now, will hopefully lead to significant reductions in the levels of anxiety and depression we’ll otherwise experience as we live through our middle years.'

"I do understand why in later life you continued this caring and rescuing of those around you. But remember you have needs - you have the right to your freedom..."

"The view from the bedroom window at Greengarth gives a glimpse of the Solway and the Irish Sea. Some days we could just make out a smudge on the horizon that is the Isle of Man, so faint it may be imagination."

"Don't be afraid to try new things, but always remember you are in charge of yourself and you don't have to follow anyone else."

"That’s how you lived your life from then on and I admire you for it. It didn’t make you popular, but self respect trumps popularity every time."

"So, write as much as you can, read books you enjoy (more rewarding than those scheme reading novels forced on us all at school), get a good grasp of a wide range of historical eras and civilisations, keep on listening to rock music, and go to as many concerts as you can."

 "In the end I think that the adversity in your early life makes you a stronger person – though at the moment you feel very weak."

"Fail, but keep on trying and fail better. Most of all… be kind and listen to people. What goes around comes around. Enjoy the ride..."

"Being creative in my retirement has kept me sane and given my mind an avenue to temporarily escape the unexpected stresses in life, which are still here, of course."

"Push at every open door.
Don't go through doors that slam behind you."

"To prepare myself to be a public speaker for my job I made myself sing in the evenings in karaoke in front of large audiences. It conquered my fear of presenting my projects at work. Of course, knowledge helped and that gave me the confidence, too."

"Don’t be ashamed of your worn shoes and tight clothes. One day you will be able to buy your own things and these uncomfortable times will be forgotten. Be proud. Be patient. Be yourself."

"Grand children are the most precious beings in grandparents' lives."

"There will be times in the future when you become invisible and undervalued – but stick to your underlying principles and you will get through them..."

"So I would urge you, my younger self, not to take the support of good friends for granted. To be non-judgemental, and accepting of those whose opinions or views you do not share..."

"For me, in retirement is the time to fill in the gaps of art, music and subjects that interest me."

"There’s an acronym used in the early years of the new millennium – yes, you will live that long: FOMO. You are driven by fear of missing out."

"Having a disability has always made us aware of our limitations and apprehensive about how we will cope with the years ahead. Be reassured that you have coped way beyond our expectations with mobility issues..."

"Expressionism"

"Let me tell you, that you will become a Quaker and champion peace and read her story from a lectern."

"There is always something new to appreciate, and something new to learn..."