Set your goals with intentions, but don’t be afraid if they change - by S.N.

Essay Title: A Letter to my Younger Self 

3^rd Prize – A14

By S.N., a ‘N’ Level student-inmate from institution A4

Dear younger me… I hope this letter reaches you with the curiousity and imagination you’ve always had. I want to take a moment to share some things I’ve learned along the way – the lesson that might help you walk this path with more confidence and peace. First, never stop dreaming. Those wild ideas you have? They matter! They are the seeds of your future. Your aspirations to create, to explore, to help others – hold onto them tightly. They’ll guide you even when life gets confusing. 

Set your goals with intentions, but don’t be afraid if they change. What you want today might evolve as you grow and see more of the world. That’s not failure, that’s growth. Be patient with yourself and trust that every step – even the missteps – are shaping you. Here’s my biggest piece of advice: don’t let fear hold you back. Fear of failure, of judgement, of not being “enough” – they’re just shadows. Walk through them. You are far more capable than you believe, and every challenge will teach you something valuable. 

You’ve come a long way – even if you don’t always feel it. And you still have so far to go. That’s okay! Growth isn’t always loud or visible. Sometimes, it’s quiet work done in the dark – choosing hope or hard days, starting again after falling short, dreaming even when the world feels heavy. You carry within you aspirations that matter. That’s not too big, too strange, or too late. Nurture them. Speak them aloud. Chase them not with panic, but with purpose. Let your goals anchor you – but don’t let them chain you. You are allowed to evolve. There’ll be detours. Disappointment. Days when the gap between where you are and where you wish to be feels endless. On this day, be gentle. Remind yourself that progress isn’t always visible – but persistence matters. 

You don’t need to have it all figured out right now. You just need to keep going. Surround yourself with people who believe in you. And don’t be afraid to outgrow what no longer serves you. Take care of your mental and physical health – they’re the foundation of everything else. Be proud of small wins. Celebrate the effort. Rest when you need to – Ask for help and protect your energy. And never forget – ‘YOUR WORTH ISN’T MEASURED BY HOW MUCH YOU ACHIEVE!’ But by how true you remain to who you are becoming. 

Keep your heart open, your mind curious and your spirit kind. You’re going to do amazing things – so keep going, keep believing and keep becoming with patience and faith. Before I sign-off, this is specially for you…

You, with stars in your eyes and questions in your chest, 

are braver than you know, though you often forget. 

The world ahead is wide and wild and waiting – 

for your hands, your voice, your dreaming and creating. 

Chase the sky, but let your feet feel the ground.

Set goals like lanterns, soft glowing, profound

Not every path will be straight and smooth,

But every stumble will teach, every loss will soothe

You’ll change – oh yes, you’ll grow and bend – 

Some dreams will break, but others will mend 

And in the quiet, when doubt creeps near,

Remember: courage isn’t loud, it’s choosing through fear 

Let kindness be a legacy you sow 

And keep learning – there’s always more to know

The future is not a race to be run – 

It’s a dance with the moon and a walk with the sun.

Trust time – it’s wiser than you think

And trust yourself most, at the edge of the brink 

With all the strength you’ll grow into, 

I believe in you – I always do.

With love…

Older me ❤️