“January, 20th, 2015
15.55
I don’t know how to start this entry. A few pages were ripped out before and God knows how many will continue to be. If this ends up staying it will be a miracle. I will try my best to keep my fingers off of it.
Dear future me,
I know, time has flown by so quickly. Seventeen, carefree – teen being the keyword. I recently looked through some old journals trying to get some inspiration.
Even back then I was still looking for it. What you may ask? Happiness.
I hope that you are more than happy – ecstatic even. I hope you have achieved every little thing that you ever imagined and I hope you love and are being loved back.
It doesn’t matter when you’re reading this. It could be a day, a week, a month, years from now. What matters is to appreciate your life. You only get one. Spend it doing more of what makes you happy. Do not be afraid to be yourself. Do not care about anything others may think.
Live life to its fullest. This should be a constant reminder.”
Dear 17-year-old me,
I stopped looking for happiness and happiness has found me.
I am more than happy right now.
I am almost finishing university, which you might be delighted to hear and relieved I managed to get through it quite well, I might say.
I love with all my heart and am loved back by a wonderful person.
I appreciate my life every second of the day. I am spending it with the people I love most and I have done so many things that brought happiness to my life. I have traveled, drank gallons of good coffee and rosé, took steps forward for my career, seen breathtaking sunsets and sunrises, started meditating, walked tightly-holding hands with my soulmate, cried from laughter, ate delicious food, buried my toes in sand and fingers in snow, but most importantly, I am not afraid to be myself anymore.
I stopped caring about what others have to say about me and my decisions and I am living life to its fullest.
And I will continue to do so.
Love,
21-year-old you
Irina Iacob 