Dear Self

Dear Self,

You have a voice but it’s been hidden this past school year. Perhaps it’s due to placing yourself in a completely new environment: different people, living situation, teachers, experiences. You’ve tried to maintain a “keep it cool, go with the flow, come what may” type of attitude but that’s never really been the type of person you are. It may have taken you 17 years to come to terms with the fact that you’re a slight control freak but it’s never been more evident than now.

Pretending to be someone you’re not is not fun and it’s not like you’ve been putting up a front or being someone you wouldn’t even recognize. It’s more like you’ve toned yourself down, scratched off the edges so that you’re more appealing to everyone, caged that inner voice that people have always commented on: “You’re so brutally honest” or “you always say what’s on your mind.” Why did you stop voicing these opinions? Because you thought they didn’t make a difference? That nobody cared? But here’s the thing: you are more powerful than you think.

Let your own self determine your worth. Do not allow yourself to base your worth solely on external affirmations. Be reflective and sure of yourself. You truly do know that you have real civic power to make a positive impact on the people around you. It takes small but intentional steps. The bottom line is to be present. This can be applied literally: attend town hall meetings, call your members of Congress, etc. This also means to take note of yourself and where you are. Be aware of how you feel both physically and mentally. Write down the things on your mind. Discuss things that you can’t get out of your mind. Do not resort to being a passive citizen.

Life is complicated and society is complicated and it can be so overwhelming to try and attempt to do anything about it. But you are not a simple being.

You are more powerful than you think.