Managing Editor Maya Clement’s “Letter to My Younger Self” graphic is shown above. Clement spoke about her experience going through high school and accepting the changes that came with the journey. “I just want to encourage you to not be afraid. Don’t hold onto anything for too long,” Clement said. “Don’t let your stubbornness take over and control your life. Don’t be afraid to live.” Graphic by Anna Shaikun
Managing Editor Maya Clement talks about her experience going through high school and changing passions.
Hi, I’m Maya Clement, a senior and the Managing Editor for the ODYSSEY Media Group at Clarke Central High School, and this is my “Letter to My Younger Self.” In this podcast, students share a letter they’d like to give to their past selves full of advice, warnings, encouragement and insight into what their future holds. This is my Letter to My Younger Self.
Dear 14-year-old Maya,
You finally made it to high school. You are starting your first semester through Georgia Virtual School and you are so excited. I know you think you have your life all figured out. You think you are going to graduate high school with perfect 100s, go to an Ivy League college and become an epidemiologist.
You think you are going to ride your horse Kingsbury until the end of your senior year of high school. You think you are going to win that battle against your mom and not have to join ODYSSEY.
You know everything.
Well, I’m here to tell you that that is not true. In fact, your outlook on most of these things will change throughout the next few years. I will say that you’re still holding out hope on that Ivy League college, though.
I don’t mean to disappoint you because I know how much that hurts. But I do want you to know that you don’t have to know everything. It is okay if your interests change. It is okay if your friends change. It is okay if your dream career changes.
All that matters is that you are happy. And you will be happy, don’t stress about that. I know you. I know what’s going through that brain of yours as you read this.
Eighty percent of the ocean is unexplored. I believe that the same is for people. Keep this in mind as you are going through life. If you start liking things that you hated before, don’t stress. If you don’t feel passion for the same hobbies anymore, don’t push it.
Yes, you are changing, but not in a bad way. It might seem like the end of your world because I know how much you hate change, but in the end, you are just exploring your own ocean.
I’m sorry to spoil some things for you, but it is necessary to tell this story. Your grades aren’t perfect: They’re not bad, but not perfect. You definitely don’t want to be an epidemiologist anymore. Hallelujah! That career was never for you.
You are going to stop riding King much sooner than anticipated. And you don’t win that particular battle, somehow you end up in ODYSSEY. I won’t spoil much more because trust me, there’s a lot you still have to discover and that’s part of the fun.
I just want to encourage you to not be afraid. Don’t hold onto anything for too long. Don’t keep trying to make something work because you feel like you should. Don’t be afraid of new passions that you develop. Don’t let your stubbornness take over and control your life.
Don’t be afraid to live.
Have fun exploring your ocean. You will spend a lot of time aimlessly swimming. You will spend a lot of time in murky water where you can’t see a thing. But you will find the lights, the things that make you happy, so swim to them.
Take the opportunities you are given even if you are hesitant. Because one day you will love it. You will appreciate that you finally acknowledged it was time to move on. Don’t get me wrong, there will be some things you miss, but overall you will be happier.
Love you, Baby Me,
Maya
P.S. Yes, I know you aren’t a baby, but 14 seems like so long ago.
