From me to you (also me): excerpt
... tells you, as you look in the mirror? And when you’re talking to other people, you avoid eye contact as much as possible, right? Right. It’s because you think you are not worthy of their gaze; at least that’s what I’ve now figured out about you. About us. Me. This is not modesty, it’s self-deprecation. Try and do something about that now, because all the time you’ve spent (and will spend) putting yourself down - being kind to others while harsh on yourself - will absolutely be your biggest regret.
Don’t get me wrong, I know the source of your pain and insecurity; I know we were missing a major piece of our life - father. Because of that, we spent ... you will spend years thinking that you don’t know how to be a “real” man; then you will realise that being a “real” man is the same as being a decent human being, and that you are a decent human being. Such a simple realisation, yet the profundity of it will hit you hard; you will cry uncontrollably, then you will pick yourself up and carry on with a renewed outlook on life, and on yourself. Be warned though: you will still struggle with feelings of self-worthlessness from time to time. Surprising moments, when that demon’s voice will remind you (erroneously) of how “stupid” you are; learn quickly that that voice is your own, which means that you are in control.
And that’s why I’m writing this letter to you, young me - so that you can start building yourself up right now. But depending on which time travel theory you subscribe to (yes, I still love sci fi) then if I’m still having to write this letter, it means ... you never read it. So maybe this letter is just for me - not you-me, me-me; it’s a reminder to treat myself as I would treat others; never to listen to what that demon tells me as I look in the mirror...