Dear Me

I'm currently reading a book called "Dear Me", edited by Joseph Galliano. It's a collection of letters written by celebrities to their 16-year-old selves, which the website describes as being "for the teenager wondering what life is all about, someone looking back to their youth, or [someone] seeking homespun wisdom."

I'm enjoying it so far, it's amusing, poignant and life-affirming and since the website asks for contributors, I thought I'd have a go. So this is my letter to my 16-year-old self.

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Dear Me

Here we are then, the 43-year-old version of me writing a letter to the 16-year-old version of me. So what do I have to tell you then?

Pay more attention to your grandparents, visit Nana more often and spend more time with Grampy. And keep visiting Auntie Laura, sit and talk to her and listen to the history and stories she wants to impart. Trust me.

I can’t tell you why, but don’t be so quick to argue and fight with your sister, Tracy. Things will settle down in your twenties but the quicker you accept that you’re different personalities and try to get on, the better. You’ll thank me for it later, you really will.

You know how people are saying that it’s a pipe-dream about becoming a writer? It’ll take a bit longer than you think, but you will get published, you will enjoy it all and you will have people you’ve never met before tell you that they like your work. So keep believing in yourself - oh and try your hand at horror first rather than contemporary drama.

When you meet a woman next year and she tells you that it’s best if you stay friends, listen to her and accept it. Don’t moon over her or suffer unrequited love for the remainder of your teen years - she’s right and 27 years later you’ll still be the best of friends.

Don’t worry about women and losing your virginity - it’ll happen. Also, don’t think that the friends you have are the be-all and end-all of life. In fact, apart from Nick, you haven’t met your best friends yet. You and Nick are still going strong though.

Keep hold of your Star Wars toys - it’s for the best. And buy more of them now, if you can.

You will know love when it hits you.

Take more photographs - lots more.

Most of all, keep doing what you’re doing and enjoy yourself, you end up having a pretty damned good time.

Take care, mate, I love you

Mark

Addendum:

My letter is now on the website - click here to see it - and I got a lovely email from Joe Galliano informing me. Why not visit the site and leave your own letter?