“I didn’t have anybody, really, no foundation in life, so I had to make my own way. Always, from the start. I had to go out in the world and become strong, to discover my mission in life.” ~ Tina Turner
Hindsight is something isn’t it? I mean you don’t learn your lesson or know how to handle the situation until after you have gone through that tough situation that led you to that ultimate realization. It is quite the conundrum. I am sure that we have all experienced at some time or another something that we wished we would’ve known ahead of time. Maybe we wish we would’ve known about that terrible breakup that that terrible relationship would lead to. Perhaps if we would’ve known the outcome of certain events, we would’ve acted differently – of course. It is so easy to say “could’ve, should’ve, would’ve” but what would you REALLY tell your younger self if you had the chance – knowing what you know now? I figured I would write an open and personal letter to my self. Honestly, my letter ended up being way more than I expected…check it out below. (I decided to write it in 3rd person)
Sooo Stormie! Girl you are 26! Time has truly flown by! So much has changed since you were a kid! Your imagination and zest for life is still there but it is even tougher to maintain that imagination and zest. It seems like the world can have an interesting way of draining that out of you… and not in a good way. But due to all of the life experiences that you have had, you have become one tough cookie. 🙂 Yes you still love cookies, but ice cream is your fave dessert. (Like so much so that you only buy it as a treat from time to time because you have like zero control)
You would be happy to know that you got out of that small hometown! You are currently residing in Houston, chasing your small town dreams. What you didn’t understand back then that with moving away came with so. much. sacrifice. You have missed your share of birthdays, graduations, weddings and even a few funerals. You are chasing your dreams so that in the future you will be nothing but a plane flight away! (Believe it or not, right now it’s cheaper for you to drive.) You miss your family a lot and often wonder if all that you are going through is worth it… but deep down you know it will be. But on the plus side, the family comes down and visits at your place! That time with the family and close friends are always the recharge that you need to keep you motivated.
Yes you are still dancing. You never really stopped! Once Ma enrolled you in dance at 8 years old, it became an integral part of your life. So much so that you now perform in Houston (you got some shows on resume’ now girl!) as well as teach. You love it and wouldn’t trade it for anything. You have come to meet some cool people through through dance and blogging. So I guess all those years of choreographing and performing for Ma is paying off!
Blogging is something that you have picked up recently in the past couple of years due to your fashion obsession which is still real! You have a blog where you talk about fashion, dance, lifestyle and yourself. (HEEYY! Would this be the equivalent to breaking the 4th wall in theatre? lol) You are learning so much about yourself as a woman, an entrepreneur, a creative and girl boss! You get to network with cool people and go to cool events! You even get cool free products and get paid to blog about stuff girl! You are officially like all the total awesome women you looked up to in all the girl power movies. You are officially girl power!
Life has been hard and has knocked you down sometimes. But life is all about ebb and flow. It doesn’t matter how many times you get down, but that you get up. Every. Single. Time. Brush yourself off and keep going. You will lose friends, time, money, loved ones, your faith (temporarily) and even feel like you’re losing your sanity. But at those moments where you feel like you are about to let go, keep pressing and pray your way through it. Whatever you go through, it gets better!
You still dream but not out loud anymore. You have to find your voice and live unapologetically for the entire world to see. You have to develop that zest again and that love and passion that you had for everything in life. A part of you wants to believe that you don’t possess that anymore but your heart knows the truth. Start listening to it again. It is smart and wise to listen to your brain. But living a life that you truly love involves listening to your heart. At the end of the day, you have to live with that you create for yourself. Why not be happy? You often question yourself now. I think that is because society has taught you to be so careful to the point where complacency sinks and you never step out of the box. And girl you are too damn awesome to be inside of the box! You know that you are but sometimes you are afraid to let your light shine. Please don’t develop that habit. You are Stormie but you are anything but that. Your light is what attracts others to you. Live for God and love yourself. You have so much love to give. Just make sure to give to yourself.
Go out and make your mark that you (deep down) know only YOU can make! If no one else ever tells you….
I AM SO FUCKING PROUD OF YOU!
What would you include in a personal letter to your younger self? Tell me all about it in the comments!
I wrote this as I went so it was very impulsive, very raw and honest. I know it is a little different from what I usually write but I felt compelled to share this. Maybe this helps someone else. If it does, feel free to share with someone else!
As always, XO and Stay FAB! ~ Stormie J
So Stormie 