I’VE BEEN THINKING about my older self.
It’s easy to dispense wisdom to our younger self, but ultimately we can’t benefit from the advice. Better to think of our future self—who is that person? What are her values? Her experiences? I like to pretend I’m meeting her for coffee, and I want to impress her because I know her standards. At the same time, I know she’s been there (or, quite literally, here). She understands the struggle. She remembers this time—fondly now she assures me. She reminds me not to miss it. To keep my eyes open for it all, even the hard parts.