A letter from Jan 1st, 2022

Dear FutureMe, How's it going? It just turned 2022 here and I just finished responding to a letter from 2021. Just like every year, it feels like nothing has changed all that much, but when I look from a larger perspective, I realize that so much is different. I finished first semester of my junior year, which everyone says is the hardest. And it was hard. Especially towards the second half, with the SAT, endless homework, tests, AND finals. My sleep schedule was also terrible, but I somehow made it out alive. There's still second semester (which is starting in a day) to cry over, can't say I'm looking forwards to that. It's especially physics that's ******* me. Tell me if it goes alright. You're a senior. A second semester senior actually! You're done with college apps, which is insane for me to think about. That means you've figured out (hopefully) what you wanna do. You're inching forward to adulthood day by day. You're gonna be out on your own, because you're probably not gonna be at home anymore. That's a little scary because I feel like I'm not that independent yet, but going out is gonna push you to figure things out. At the same time, I want to go out! If I'm stuck at home any longer with my mother nagging me, I think I will go mental. Wherever you go, I'm proud of you. But also, work hard until the end because of senioritis and what not. Feel like that won't apply much to you because of crippling school anxiety. I hope Covid isn't that bad anymore. Hopefully it hasn't messed up the school year for you yet. I've been a lot happier being around people. It's like when I see my friends and how much I love them, I get a sudden love for humanity. When we're laughing so hard we're crying, when we're screaming over video games, spilling tea on people, doing late night discord calls. Everything seems okay for the moment. I hope you're also keeping yourself healthy. Work out and all of that. Because I've gained a few these past years lol. I've been writing and drawing a lot too in my free time. Keep that creative side of your brain active. I've been watching a lot of shows on Netflix (thanks for the plug, Dhivya). I hope you've seen some really good shows that gets your gears turning, and I hope you've read some really good books. I'm reading the Name of the Wind right now. Spend a lot of time with your friends. You have like 6 more months left together. We call ourselves the NPCs because we're a buncha losers. After high school, you'll have to part ways with them. That's absolutely breaking my heart to think about. Who knows where y'all will be? Across the state? Country? The world? And your church friends. You'll probably see them around more often. But they are some of the most important people you'll ever meet in your life. Keep the SAFEET group close to your heart. Also if you haven't done so already, get your driver's permit PLEASE. Not even funny anymore. You've come really far. A lot can happen in a year, I don't even know what's happened to you in this time span. No matter where you go, it's in God's hands. He's got something planned for you even if you can't see it right now. Sometimes it's tough, I know. Not even sometimes, it's most of the times. And it's probably not even gonna get better. Keep your chin up queen, your crown is falling. But God loves you!! And that's the best gift ever. I'd write more and I feel like I have so much to say, yet nothing comes to mind. Well, with that then, farewell. Best of luck to you. I love you so so so much. And I believe in you and your capability to be the best you can.