Dear childhood Aftab,
Age 5-10
You are still young, with so many lessons, twisted turns and journeys that will occur in your life ahead. You’re still a baby, so make the most of being young because I know that later in life you will wish you were that young again.
Listen to mum and dad, when they say that it is time to go to bed. Sometimes I wish I still get told to go to bed, because at the end of the the day you will be the only person to blame when you wake up tired. They have your best interest at heart.
Don’t be afraid of the dark, as you will soon realise that turning out the lights does cause child eating scary pirates and monsters to come out. In fact, appreciate darkness for it will always bring peace and ease your soul.
Take as many naps as you can, as later in life you won’t get the chance to nap so often. You will appreciate having the chance as a kid!
Eat lots of cake, being young, you don’t have to worry about what you look like. Being fat is okay as a child but as you get older – you have to substitute cake to look good.
Don’t fight with your sister as much as you do, for you will realise that she is your saviour and will be your guardian angel later in life. Even though you annoy her so much, she still loves you.
Age 10-16
As you get older and hit double figures life will get harder, things will change especially your body. Your hormones will cause you to change drastically, but just go with it.
Falling over in the playground certainly is character building. It may hurt, but it will teach you to build a higher pain threshold and you will appreciate that later in life.
Never waste any of the food mum puts in your lunch box, as you will appreciate those small sandwiches that are made for you, full of love. When you hit university you don’t get them, so make the most of them!
Spiders aren’t all that scary, I know that your sister scaring you at every opportunity did not help but they really are just like every other insect just with many more legs!
Build as many sand castles and snowmen as you can. Be wild as kids can be, as when you get older you will not get the joy of being able to do all those things, only watching other kids doing it.
Age 16-18
Friends are not everything in the world. I know that it is hard to fit in and make friends, but sometimes you are better off without them.
It is okay not to be popular. Words may hurt, but you will realise soon enough that the people who had such vile tongues now have miserable lives working in supermarkets whilst you live a luxury life in London training to be a Biochemist.
Appreciate your family. Family will always be there for you, even when friends are not. You can chose your friends… but you cannot chose your family!
Enjoy as much time you can with horses, as when you hit university you will realise how much time you miss out and how much more time you wish you had spent with them.
Work as hard as you can, for it will only help you in your future. Having proud parents is the best thing you will ever ask for, along with a good job of course.
Speak your mind. Your are entitled to your own opinion, use it to your advantage and don’t let people take advantage of you.
Age 18-21
You’re growing up into a fine young lad now. Starting to take on the world on your own, one step at a time. Remember to only keep in touch with the people that are worth while, care about you and like you for who you are.
Change is horrible and it will take you time to adapt and accept it but you will be more accepting of it as change becomes more frequent and for all the best reasons.
You’re still young, so make the most of it. Be crazy, be free, have fun and enjoy your youth. Hangovers will be ten times worse when you’re older!
Appreciate what you have and don’t compare it against others. For what you don’t have, is not a loss.
Never give up on your dreams. If you work hard enough, your dreams will be along the horizon, making their way to you and it will be so worth it.
Thank you to the lovely Lucy who blogs over at Absolutely Lucy for this tag, to do a post to my younger self.
