I’m not going to give much of an introduction or explanation, but here are the notes I have written to myself for 1 year’s time, 5 and 15 years’ time.

Note to 2019 me:

You’re starting you’re a-level exams, you’ve freaked the fuck out but you know deep inside that you’ve got this. Just remember that you’re doing this to get to the next step, think of the future. You’re looking forward to summer, stop stressing about money and just try and say yes to as much as you get offered; you know you’ll miss Manchester so make the most of it whilst you’re here. You’re probably brunette again, the fringe will still be there no doubt, but is the undercut still a thing? I hope you’ve finally got back into exercise and that you’ve taken up dance again despite your anxieties. Do your best to keep in touch with those you know mean a lot to you, see the good in everyone/ every situation and try to remember that you don’t need to lean on anyone, you’ve got this.

Note to 2023 me:

Well you’ve graduated and probably made a hefty batch of memories. Now you’ve got to bite the bullet and fly the nest, you are presumably back soaking up all that you missed from Manchester but don’t get stuck. You know that you’re destined to travel, hopefully you realised this when you studied abroad. Stay in Manchester for a short while, gather some money and set sail. You moved a couple of hours train journey away for uni, what’s a few hours plans journey now? You know all you need is yourself, unless by now you’ve found someone that gets your mentality. You’ve got this.

Note to 2034 me

I hope the world’s not blown up yet and if not then I hope that you’ve experienced all it has to offer. I’m certain by now you’ve experienced some loss and I hope it hasn’t troubled you too much. Maybe you’ve become an independent, travelling, creative, boss ass bitch- maybe you’ll continue that or maybe you’ll find someone worth settling for. You’ve never known if you want/will be able to have children but I hope you’ve put that huge list of baby names to partial use, even if it’s for a tortoise or a house rabbit. I’m sure you’ve fallen into the career you never planned for, for the sake of going with the flow. I hope you’ve lived in a couple of different countries by now, maybe you’re ready to settle, maybe it terrifies you. You could even be married or engaged, you never longed for marriage but you knew you’d do it if it meant a lot to your partner. Keep working hard, keep looking out for silver linings and please tell me you’ve been wearing sun cream for all these years. You’ve got this.

I hope this enthuses some of you for the future. Whatever rut you’re in now will come to an end, set some goals and let yourself grow.

Note to self – Jake Bugg.