Ten Years

Dear Twenty-Year-Old Flix,

I'm here. Remember how years ago, full of tears and feeling low, you wanted me to come around and tell you things will turn out okay? Well, I'm here now and it's as predicted, even if you couldn't feel it at the time - you're alright; you survived. You’re doing even better than anticipated.

You did it. You got your degree; you're a Master of Science! It got much worse, it was an awful year, but YOU DID IT. You didn't quit and you got the class of qualification that you damn well deserved. It is hard to articulate just how fantastic this achievement is. Well done.

You have a job. It took a while, but it is a 'Real Job', although often it doesn't feel like it. You are really good at it, and it’s even kind of science-related! It provides you with a steady income and you don't have to deal with a cumbersome commute or chatty colleagues. It's ideal for you at the moment. It may not always be, but you don't need to worry about that right now. You should be grateful to have a job when so many struggle to find something suitable.

You have your own place! It was difficult living at home with family, but you're doing much better now. You are calmer, less stressed. Sad, sometimes, but so is everyone. You manage.

You have your own car! More importantly than that - you actually learnt to drive and passed your test, first time. You should be so proud of yourself. You drive on your own, you drive in the dark, you've driven to places by yourself that you've not been to before. It still makes you feel anxious to drive, but you’re getting better.

You've travelled abroad so much in the last ten years! Prague, Barcelona, Edinburgh, Berlin, Cardiff, Florence, Dublin, Budapest, Tallin, Helsinki, Amsterdam, Brussels, Bruges, Reykjavik, Cologne, Copenhagen, Seville, New York, Philadelphia, Killarney, San Francisco, Austin. You've just come back from Lake Como next. You are so lucky.

You have such good friends. Some, you hadn't even met yet with when I was you; some you've kept since you were 12 years old. They are all important and they keep your evenings and your weekends busy and full of fun. Bravo, you have cracked social interaction.

You have your family. They support you, they love you, they annoy you. Your parents split up a few years ago and that is weird, but you're coping okay. You still have them both and you are close to your siblings. You have more than many.

You have a boyfriend. A loving, caring, funny, clever man. You are very happy together.

You are doing well. You are very happy, in general. Life is good and you have much to be thankful for. Congratulations Ten-Years-Ago Flix, I wouldn't be the woman I am today without you making me so.

Lots of love,

Thirty-Year-Old Flix

Flitterbox: Ace of Base ~ Life is a Flower