Dear Daughter

Dear Daughter,

I was thinking about you today and what you might be like. See, you don’t even exist yet. For now you are but an idea – a beautiful idea that I will, god willing, one day have the chance to make a reality. I’ve written this in preparation of that moment and I did so for a couple of reasons:

1. So that hopefully one day I can give you this and along with it a piece of the younger me

2. So that I will never forget to tell you all of the important life lessons I need to

3. And finally because committing words to paper is what I do and I want you to have this to keep long after I’m gone and you are grown.

This has been a crazy year for me I have travelled to far corners of the globe in search of adventure, I’ve returned, found a new job and I am now about to move out for the first time. I have never been happier than I am right now. You see I’m blessed; I’m so in love, I have an incredible support system, wonderful friends, a sister I call a friend and a family that I can call home and really that’s all you ever need in this life.

In the past two years I have grown and changed into the woman I am today with the help of a lot of people and an abundance of great advice. I’m still not perfect and I never want to be. Flaws are beautiful; they are real and human, and being wrong is part of living this wonderful life. But I want to give to you (whoever you are) some advice of my own – that which I have learnt from others, my friends, my own mother, the love of my life and some I have just had to figure out on my own. So here goes:

You are beautiful just as you are…

Not skinnier, or prettier, taller or with a slightly smaller nose. Beauty isn’t all about aesthetics. It’s about the person you are, the company you keep and the words that you speak. Be kind and be humble, be a shoulder to lean on and a loyal friend. Strive to see the beauty in everything and everyone, and in turn you will have a beautiful life.

What others think of you is none of your business…

You can’t please everyone all of the time. You can’t be everyone’s friend and you don’t need to be. Everyone will have their opinions of you, so please be who you are and say what you feel regardless. Because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.

Know when to give up and have a martini…

There’s a big difference between giving up and knowing when enough is enough. Be strong enough to know the difference and brave enough to make the right choice.

Smile…

You’re alive, happy and healthy. Some people are not so lucky. Never compare your life to other peoples because you have no idea what their journey is all about and always remember you don’t own all the problems in the world, so show us that smile.

You are loved…

If you decide that you want to live your life differently than me, if you decide that you want to pursue something that I forgot to encourage you to do. Remember this, I love you. I will love you no matter what. My love for you is not conditional, it is infinitely constant.

Do not let social media take over your life…

You have been born into a world where social media is at large. I am currently 26 years old and I feel the weight of social media in my own life. I can only imagine what your world is like. Please do not forget to switch off, to disconnect and reboot – to live your life offline too. The web is both a blessing and a curse. So embrace it, but be wary of it. Some mystery is good.

Form your own opinions…

Have your own mind and voice. Never let others sway you. Stand strong. But if you do voice your opinion make sure it’s valid and educated. We live in a world of information and ignorance is a choice. Choose to know what you’re talking about and people will be forced to hear you.

Try new things…

I have this fear of doing stuff when it’s a little out of my comfort zone or I think I wont be any good at it. But let me tell you the fear of trying new things is a crippling one and is one you should push past. It’s okay if you aren’t the best; it’s ok if your scared, I just want you to try. Don’t be afraid to jump, I’ll catch you.

Laugh at yourself…

No one likes a Debbie Downer. So don’t take yourself too seriously. Laugh, joke, and find joy in the little things. There are so many hard things about life and there will be difficult and trying days. Life is about enjoyment; try to strive to remember that even in your moments of sadness.

Love from, your one-day Mum