If I had just 10 minutes to speak with my younger self, I would not waste any second at all because there are things she needs to know for a smooth journey of life. I would not start with advice or warnings. I would begin with something simple and honest. I would look her in the eyes and say, You are enough.
I would sit with her quietly and let her feel real. She needed to know that someone really cared about her, someone believed in her confidence and that someone saw the strength behind her quiet nature.
Then I would begin to speak. I would tell her not to rush in life, she needs to tread carefully. She should enjoy every little moment, The smell of your mum’s cooking. The silly jokes with your siblings. The songs you sing when no one is watching. These are the moments you will miss one day.
I would warn her gently not about terrible disasters, but about the small choices that shape the bigger picture. I would say, be kind to people, but don’t forget to be kind to yourself. Not everyone deserves your time or trust. Choose your friends wisely.
She would probably ask me about love. I know she always wondered when and how love would come. I would tell her that love is not supposed to confuse you or make you feel small. If someone makes you question your worth, walk away. The right person will see you and choose you as you are.
I would also talk to her about her body. I would say, you don’t need to change yourself to fit someone’s standard of beauty. Your dark skin, your natural hair, your smile, these are not things to hide. They are beautiful. You are beautiful.
I would tell her it’s okay to cry. Life will hurt sometimes. People you trust may disappoint you. You will lose things, and it will break your heart. But you will not break. You will rise. You will become wiser, stronger and more real.
Then I would tell her something she might not expect. You will make mistakes. You will regret some things but don’t hold onto shame. Learn your lessons. Apologize when you need to. And then forgive yourself. You are allowed to grow.
With just a few minutes left, I would share the joy that is coming. There will be days when you will feel proud of yourself. You will make progress you once thought was impossible. You’ll laugh again after the tears. You’ll meet people who truly care. And you will learn how to care for yourself too.
I would not try to fix her. She doesn’t need fixing she needs love. She needs patience. She needs truth. I would tell her to stop comparing her life with others. Everyone’s journey is different, I’d say. Walk yours with courage. Some people will move faster, but that doesn’t mean they are better. You have your own time, your own pace.
I would remind her that it’s okay to rest. You don’t have to carry everything. You are not a failure because you feel tired or lost. Breathe. One step at a time is still progress.
As the time runs out, I would hold her hands and look at her one last time and say you are going to be okay. You are going to do things you never thought you could. You are not perfect, and that’s fine. You are real, and that is more than enough.
If I had only 10 minutes with her, I would not waste it on fear or regret. I would fill it with truth, comfort, and hope. I would give her the one thing she always needed to hear which is “YOU ARE ENOUGH, JUST AS YOU ARE.”
This is my response to this week's episode of #hiveghana prompt #week104
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