Dear Veenaa,
Life is actually very simple. We tend to complicate it a lot when we grow up. I want to share with you a couple of things and I hope you would keep them in mind when you grow older.
1) You don't have to follow the system.
The previous generation believed in the system that defined how our life should progress. It goes like this.
Study hard in school, go to a reputable college, do an MBA or a Master's after, get a good job that pays well, get married, and then have children.
I want to tell you that today, no one cares about this system. You could be in school and start your own entrepreneurial venture. You could pursue your MBA with 2 children. You can work in a job that does not pay well but adds meaning to your life. You could take a gap year after high school to travel the world. You could get married and decide not to have children.
Veenaa, you don't have to live your life according to the system anymore. Dream big. Take risks. Disrupt the system. Don't let anyone tell you how you should lead your life. You are the master of your own sea.
2) Mental Health is important.
Possibilities are endless. There is so much you can learn, so many places you can travel, so many people you can meet, so many things you could do with your time. But remember that amidst all of these things, your mental health is as important. Take time for yourself, for your internal well-being. Talk about how you feel more to your loved ones. Your emotions, never conceal them. They are to be expressed.
People, jobs, experiences might let you down. Just remember the phrase, "This too shall pass". What you feel at any given moment is not permanent and don't let negative thoughts and feelings reside and linger within you. At the same time, don't let anyone tell you how you should feel about a person or any situation.
3) Talk about Love & Sex.
Love will happen. It could happen anywhere, with anyone at anytime. Love will teach you a lot of things in life. Compromise. Pain. Happiness. Anger. Fear. The list goes on. Love can also lead someone to break your heart, your trust or even worse, to break a piece of you. The memories of a person is something you cannot forget, but over time, you will make your peace with it. Always talk about love to your loved ones. Have more conversations. When it gets hard to talk, don't shut yourself down. Give yourself time and get back up. Let others into your life. That's when you grow.
Veenaa, the only truth I know and I am certain of knowing is that I love, I am loved and that love only grows as you give it away.
Sex is not wrong. It is something that is a natural part of life. The more you talk about sex, the more you learn about yourself and your preferences, even your partner's. If you do decide to have children in the future, talk to them about sex. Talk about what your experiences were like and don't shy from the embarrassing parts. Trust me, your children will learn more. You are making them more prepared and safe. They could avoid an infection or even getting pregnant just from what you share with them. So don't be shy girl.
4) Always prioritise your family.
You don't know how your life is going to go, where you might be in the next few years, or even who you might be with. But always remember to be there for your family. When times are difficult, when you don't know how to help a family member, or when you are going through a rough time yourself, family is where you should go to seek help. Sometimes you might think that going to your family for help will be burdensome for them. Veenaa, that is not true. Your family will always be there for you when you need help, all you have to do is ask.
5) Be Yourself.
Veenaa, don't compare yourself with others. Don't try to be someone that you're not. Be you. You are special in your own way. Your insecurities might creep up on you, demanding you to change and camouflage with the crowd. Don't let that happen. You are one of a kind girl. Embrace that, never hide from that uniqueness.
And Veenaa, when you have to let go, just let it go. You'll understand what it means when you grow up.
Be your own Wonder Woman girl!
Love,
Veenaa
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