There has been a trending topic on social media recently, where people “meet up” with the younger
version of themselves to reflect on things they had hoped for or worried about. This has been such a
therapeutic experience for a lot of people and way to reflect on their journey of growth and resilience. I decided to take part in this trend and meet my younger self for coffee as shared below.
I met my younger self for coffee, she ordered a hot chocolate and I had a soy vanilla latte. She asked me how we had fared on with life and work...I told her all the hard work and sleepless nights would
eventually pay off. She asked if we had become “successful”, I told her yes and smiled. I told her we had refined the definition of success for us and had been living a fuller and freer life. She asked me if we had a family, I smiled and told her yes. I told her there was a period of dark and painful years as we tried to figure that out. But that we had a partner who loved us so much, amazing friends and a dog that was sent to this world just to be our companion.
I told my younger self that her openness to get to know others and willingness to talk to strangers had enriched her world and life and that she had so many rich memories. She smiled then she looked away for a second, and with tears in her eyes she asked. “Was I able to reach and heal my inner child?”. I told her it was a work in progress but that she was so loved and nurtured and knew how much she mattered to herself first and foremost before others. I told my younger self how we had become honest and engaging and less caring of other’s judgment. She could not believe it. The shy introverted girl who had cried so many nights alone…
She asked if we ever got our sense of style and I laughed. I said “You know what? It changes all the time and that’s the beauty of being you. You do not conform and you are open to new experiences due to your curious nature”. I reminded her to slow down, take care of her health, drink water and sleep.
Because we learn how important our health is and ultimately how it will allow or hinder us to do things. Exhausted but happy, I could tell she needed a nap. So she went home to sleep and I sipped on my latte and smiled as I watched her walk away.
