Dear 10 Year Old Me

Dear 10 year old Gaby,

You’re going through a lot of changes right now, between your little sister’s birth and being with a new set of classmates for 5th grade and I know that you can only handle so much. But you’ll realize soon enough that once you embrace these changes, they’ll do you a lot of good. Things won’t always be smooth and maybe everything will seem like they’re falling apart at one point but it will all be worth it, I promise.

Now, let’s get down with the real issue here: you’re growing up and it’s becoming a bit of a struggle. There’s this part of you that wants to be treated like an adult or at least with more respect because for some reason, something’s different and you don’t feel like you play the part of a My little pony loving girl fairly anymore. You get a little confused because while you’re determined to take on the Ate role, others are still treating you like the child that you really are. So what are really supposed to do when you’re playing both?

I say JUST GO WITH IT. Don’t overthink everything. Let things come be and you’d be surprised as to how things will sort themselves out. I wish you’d take more chances though, from opportunities to people and yourself. You were always one to be distant because it’s your way of being careful. I get that but you should know that you’d be better off taking these risks. It may not seem like it now but you’re really lucky with the company you’re keeping. These girls will stay with you all the way through up until today when you’re already 18 and in different colleges. Dad will remain the same as well, supporting you with all your interests. Oh and you wouldn’t believe it but you’ve stopped training at the age of 15. There was some sort of retooling in your athletic dreams and wanted to pursue something else instead. I’d explain everything to you in detail but that letter’s not due until 6 years later.

You’re not yet a teenager but the idea of being treated like one seems like the world’s greatest achievement to you. I know you want to be mature, someone who can be taken seriously by the adults. But I’m afraid; you’ll sometimes forget the important thing here and rush into growing up. Be careful, because once you do you might miss out on the special things and well, you won’t be able to relive these days. Remember that you’ll never be as young as you are today so might as well spend the rest of it having fun and doing every kid stuff you’re entitled to. Take lots of sleep during forced naps by Lola on Sunday afternoons and watch all the Hannah Montana episodes that you can because believe me when I say she will no longer be around in 2015 because there will be a new reign. Whether you’ll like this new version of her is up to you. Also, you should probably stop sneaking around with your cousins during sleepovers watching Gossip Girl, pretending you understand whatever’s happening. I’ve seen all six seasons maybe three or four more times now that I’m older and I swear, it gets better and probably more appropriate in time.

When things don’t work out, just trust that there are people around you who believe in you, who will stand by you. Remember that and you will surely make it through. I hate to spoil it to you but you’ll grow up to be just fine (I think haha!) so stop worrying and just make the most out of it.

Love,

18 year old Gaby