Letter to my Fifteen Year old Self

I recently attended a training on how to facilitate girls' discussions, and they made us do an activity where we had to imagine ourselves as fifteen year olds. After walking us through this vision, they asked us to write a letter to our fifteen year old self. This is what I wrote.

Dear Self:

There's a lot of things I can say to you today but I won't. I will tell you that your life does turn out to be pretty darn good, alhamdullilah. The challenges you are facing right now will only make you stronger and wiser. For me to give you the answers before you find them will compromise who you are meant to become.

But I am here today to tell you one thing I would have done differently if I could get those fifteen years back: Celebrate yourself. Celebrate your every accomplishment, no matter how small. Take a moment to reward yourself when you achieve a goal. Savor the moment. Don't just rush to the next one. And don't trivialize the value you offer the world. If you can celebrate yourself, I promise you that no challenge will be too difficult to handle, because you will know deep down that you can, and you will. And if you celebrate yourself, then the rest of the world will have no choice but to celebrate you also, because you are one amazing, unique young woman.

This is something I have not given a priority to, and is one of my greatest struggles even as I turn thirty. Fifteen years later, I realize now how important it is to be able to believe in your strengths and to be able to receive, and enjoy, praise. And how empowering it is to hear kind words being spoken about you.

Celebrate yourself. And do your friends the same favor by celebrating them too. Your life will truly take a different direction.

Wishing you well,

Your Almost-thirty year old self.