Dear Younger Me, Speak Up!

In less than three months, it'll be my 18th birthday. There is no better way to write an advice for my younger (and future) self than with a letter written by my present self.

Dear younger me,

There are many things that you've done in the past which made you the kind of person you are now. In retrospect, there was nothing too exceptional of a struggle, and that's why you must keep learning and keep trying to improve. Now this is a letter that's not just advice to what you could have been, but also to what you will be:

Speak up.

I wish someone had given you this advice. And I don’t mean just to speak up in class when you want to go potty. Speak up when you know the answer to a question. Don’t be too shy or feel like you’re copying another classmate just because he has answered the question one too many times in the past already. When your little imaginative head has something more to bring to the table, go ahead and speak it. Don't be afraid of criticisms about your suggestions because it's a take it or leave it thing; if you don't want to end up doing or wearing something you don't like, then speak your mind, girl.

Speak when you have genuine questions or concerns. Believe me, you're not going to sound like an idiot. And if sounding like an idiot is what worries you, it's better than not knowing what to do and looking like an actual idiot.

Speak when your gut tells you that you have the right answer.

Speak up even when that little voice inside your head tells you to, even when your heart is beating loudly in your chest. Remember that conference where you had an inkling that your answer would be correct and is relevant to the speaker’s question, just because some of what the speaker said was that Sunday’s homily? Yeah, well you missed your chance because you let your fear of speaking in front of crowds get ahead of you.

"Speak up and stand up against injustice. The worst regret is knowing that you let something happen without doing anything against it"

Younger me, speak and stand up against injustice. Not just when it happens to your friends, or other people, but also when it happens to you. You’ve been through a lot of that during grade school and high school when you and your friends were bullied just because you were easy targets.

It's not just about bullies either. Remember when some of your brilliant friends (and classmates) were moved to a lower section in the middle of the school year during your senior year? Yes all of you in your section were protesting against it, but no one had done more to prevent the swap. Authority figures let it slide just because you let it go. Think things through, explain your side, be polite, and if really necessary, be assertive.

Similar events may occur in the future, and you have to remember the lessons you've learned from these events. Don't just watch and let injustice happen, speak up when it matters; the worst regret is knowing that you consciously didn’t try to make the situation better.

Find a balance.

As the saying goes, ‘many things get lost because no one spoke up when it mattered’, or something to that effect. The same thing applies to the important aspects of life – family and time. Remember to strike a balance among the different important parts of your life. Communication is key – and that means speaking up, right?

As someone who’s almost going to be a young adult, I dearly implore you to speak up. Perhaps you’d get ahead more. When you decide to use your vocal chords not just for incessant chatter, but for when your gut tells you to amidst your pounding heart and shaking knees, you'll feel empowered and you'll stand taller. It felt good the few times you did it, right? I'm damn sure there will be more times when you have to speak up in your life. Think before you speak, but don't take too long. Remember not to keep silent when you have a good point to add to the discourse.

Speak up, dear. It’s mind over matter; your throat won’t suddenly dry up if you don't will it to. Lastly, as Elle Woods said, remember to have faith in people and most importantly,

Love,

The present you.