Photographed by Lena W.
Please Note: In this letter, there is mention of suicide. If you think you may find this content triggering, please consider reading one of the other letters of IfYoureReadingThis.org, or prepare to access any support systems or resources you find helpful.
If You’re Reading This, Know That Expectations are Clueless Conclusions Set By People Who Don’t Understand You.
I write this letter to you today from a place of reflection and acceptance. For the longest, and still pretty often today, I have always felt as if I am not doing things for me. Doing the right thing with everyone else in mind or to make others happy, not allowing myself to “feel” the right thing but overriding my feelings with societal expectations (in what we call logic), is something that I have always done. This has led me to a feeling of imposter syndrome, a sense of not belonging, and ultimately, suicide attempts. Life is hard going through the motions, but it gets so much harder when trying to live up to expectations.
I say all this to tell you that it’s ok to be you. It’s ok to be who YOU know you are and not what someone expects you to be. Expectations are clueless conclusions set upon people who don’t understand you, something I learned. Don’t ever let a person set expectations upon you, unless they match the same expectations you put upon yourself. Pressure makes diamonds, absolutely, but you have to make sure you are in the form of what turns into a diamond. And what I mean by that is please make sure for yourself that you are in an environment, around people, and doing something where you can absolutely thrive in whatever you want to do for yourself.
You are bound by nothing, and you can do absolutely anything you put your mind to. You realize all of this when you silence, in your mind and soul, everyone who questions what you want or are doing or thinks indifferent from who you are. The only person who limits you is yourself. Not your environment, not people’s thoughts, you. So please, do not limit yourself and be yourself. I love you, you are seen by me, and you are heard by me.
Seven B., Georgetown University
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