Natalie's Nook

Hello readers.

ଘ(੭ ˘ ᵕ˘)━☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟᵕ꒳ᵕ~

Author’s Note I: As my 26th birthday approaches, periodically I have found myself reflecting on my first five years of adulthood. And during my time of reflection, I was reminded of this letter I wrote to myself five years ago in a collection of prose, poems, and letters I published back in 2019 titled “The Diary She Never Wrote“. You can find and purchase that book on Amazon if you’re curious to read some of my other pieces. While rereading the letter I smiled, I laughed, I cringed, I even felt a wave of disappointment— as if I had let my twenty-year-old self down. But the one thing I made sure to do was come to terms with the reality….

✰♫♪•*¨·٠•●♥✿✿●♥٠·¨*•♪♫✰✰♫♪•*¨·٠•●♥✿✿●♥٠·¨*•♪♫✰

Hi. We haven’t met yet; but I’m sure that the person you’ve become— I am exceptionally proud of. 

For starters you’re a college graduate, having obtained your bachelor’s degree in English. By now I’m sure you have written at least three books, along with short stories, articles, and essays for online websites and journal magazines during your spare time; making a name for yourself in the literary universe. Constantly networking to construct your brand. 

You’re probably residing somewhere up in New York City, or you might have made your way over to the West Coast staying in Seattle. You always did talk about moving to where the writers are. Then again, maybe you decided to go down south to Atlanta for graduate school like you had originally planned— studying for your Master’s in Communications or Creative Writing at some elite university.

So, you’ve settled or at least semi-settled; having the career you’ve wanted in the field of writing or editing— either for a major newspaper or magazine. If not that, you’re able to work for yourself, building your writing career from the comfort of your home. Or maybe you’ve even decided to give that teaching career a try.

I hope you’ve found that special someone. Let me guess— you were in a book cafe reading, sipping on whatever caffeinated beverage, while they stared at you from the opposite side of the room. Ok, more-so your book than you. Intrigued by your selection they approached you with ease, leading to a comfortable conversation between you two; one you’ve longed to have with someone! Talking about your favorite and least favorite authors and genres, even those you’ve yet to venture off into or discover. And from that one conversation the rest of the relationship was already written. 

Your ears may have too many more piercings and you’ve probably stopped being scared of needles and got your first tattoo. . .or first few. Your natural hair is healthy and has flourished—as you have—along with being colored who knows how many times. 

Although, if none of this is so, if your life decided to take a completely different route; that is ok too. 

One thing I know though is you’re happy, I’m sure of it, and you deserve this happiness! Doing, pursuing, loving, and being— whatever and whoever. You’re grounded and motivated, you are your own individual, and that’s what matters most. 

I truly cannot wait to meet you. 

Yours truly, 

20-year-old you

P.S. I hope you’ve learned French because you’re traveling to Paris if you haven’t already.

Author’s Note II: Wow, right? Not only did I post this to share with you, my readers, about my reflection; but I also posted it so that I can give myself a response. I think I owe myself that.

Response coming soon…

+｡:.ﾟTHANKヽ(*´∀)ﾉﾟYOU.:｡+ﾟ for reading!

Mwah (ꈍᴗꈍ)ε｀*)