An Open Letter to my 17 Year Old Self

Simplymoe
Aug 19, 2022
2 min read

I feel like maybe my life at 17 was like most other 17 year olds. I was going through my first heartbreak. If you know me, you know exactly who I am talking about. My first thought is laughter at the embarrassment I put myself through. However young love is vital. I felt misunderstood, alone and like I didn’t belong, anywhere. I was on my 4th living arrangement because bouncing around house to house was a thing in my life back then.

I felt invisible all the time.

I was coming to the terms that the woman who gave birth to me was never coming to save me. I was a straight B student, my father didn’t allow anything else or there was hell to pay. I was counting down the days until graduation which meant freedom. I spent most of the time at my cousin Jill’s house. My best friend was Sharonte. We spent every waking minute together mostly catching the ddot bus skipping school. I had a summer job as a math tutor and I worked under my sister in her after school dance program. I attended church every Sunday. I was a bit dramatic, I still am. When I look back now I realize at 17 that was probably the most stable my life had been in my teenage years. Writing has always brought me peace. I found this letter I wrote to myself. I hope you guys can feel the nostalgia brought on by it. Enjoy.

I think 17 year old me knew a few things.

September 5, 2007

10:01 am

Dear Monique,

Stop finding reasons to feel sorry for yourself. You are a good person, whether the people around you can see it or not. Remember that everything happens for a reason and you have to experience the bad if you ever want to experience the good. You are a strong young lady. Remember the ultimate goal is to prove everyone who doubted you wrong. Hang the attitude up, it’s getting you no where. You say that you hate liars and fake people, well be just the opposite. Never turn your back on family and friends, no matter how they cruel they are to you. Don’t sweat the Tony situation, time heals all wounds. As far as your mother goes, learn to live with it. Don’t get disappointed when speed bumps slow you down. Pick yourself up and keep going.