Final words from 16

[Disclaimer: This article was written when I was 16 years old, and fresh out of secondary school. It represents where I come from, but opinions mentioned may no longer be representative of my current situation. My motivations for sharing this are to remember how far I’ve come, show the world that I’ve been working on things for a long time and have meaningful experience outside of school, and showcase my determination for success.

Some details have been removed or changed for privacy reasons.]

So this is how it ends. In just a few hours I’ll be 17 years old. 16 was good- well done mate! I thought I’d write a letter to myself, offer some kind words of advice for the big wide world, the new year. I hope it helps you, I’ve learnt a lot this year.

Dear 17,

It’s been one hell of a ride for me. From overcoming a depression to changing who I truly am down to the core: what I stand for, my morals, my attitude towards life. I’ve gained much wisdom this year and I’d like to pass it to you. Feel free to read this letter whenever you feel lost, whenever you feel hopeless, whenever you feel alone.

For starters, here’s some basic rules for life:

Only talk when necessary

Study even when nobody else is

Exercise

Work harder

Keep dreaming

Do more- chase experiences and spend your money on them

Always talk to people. Five minutes is all it takes to start something big.

Never be cruel, never be cowardly

Always be kind. Be respectful even when you disagree with people. Don’t ridicule them. Show them how they’re wrong or leave them be.

Be a gentleman.

Write things down, record things, take photos- you’ll forget more than you realise.

Make things

Study more languages

Listen to music and play the piano

Try not to waste too much time

Never compare yourself to others- only yesterday’s you

Don’t be an asshole, please?

I think that’s enough for now. Just an outline for you.

If you’re feeling lost, please try to find something to do. Don’t be a pessimist all the time please? With the state of the world right now, I can only imagine that this winter is going to be very hard for you, but remember, you’ve been through hard times before and you lived! The world keeps turning, so don’t stop just because you don’t feel like it or you think it’ll never end. That’s what cowards do. You are not a coward.

Don’t focus on the past too much, or how much better everything was before. In France, in America, before 2020, before GCSEs, before you grew up. The world still has a lot to offer, so if you’re bored go and do something cool. Jump out of a plane- hell, learn to fly a plane. Please learn to drive- I know that you don’t want to but honestly you know it’ll benefit you eventually! Play the piano more, and show people. Even if it’s shit, remember Eton? Ben and I sang and played the guitar for all it was worth. We sounded so good alone, but we cocked up the live performance. It was a learning experience. Never forget that. When you fail, the Earth will keep spinning, so don’t go and kill yourself over something stupid.

Save money. You’re spending a lot right now, and while I think that it’s great that you’re chasing experiences, you really need to save some for the future, and you definitely need to find more ways to earn money. Please don’t stoop so low and work in Poundland or McDonald’s. Work a little harder and start an online business, build an app, do something! With a few months’ hard work you’ll be earning much more. I don’t like to carry regrets, but this is something that I wish I did- along with more exercise- you’ll only regret it in the future if you don’t try hard to escape the rat-race now. You can do it, you’re smart after all.

I can proudly say that I didn’t make too many mistakes as No. 16. That’s something to be proud of. My greatest success was building good habits: reading, working out, studying, writing, however this was also my biggest failure. Never give up. If you’re having a shit week, keep going, it will pass.

Try to write some music. That’ll be cool. And make some movies. Make as many as you can, you’ll get good at it eventually! Write lots. Write about everything. Document things, document life. You’re a creative person.

And keep learning, you got this.

I should really keep this short, time is knocking on now. If you ever feel alone, please don’t wallow in your own self-pity. Call somebody. Talk to new people. I know that you have so much potential- although past performance never guarantees future results.

I’ll spend my final hours talking to Wisse, Mum is out and I don’t want to do anything anyway. Hopefully you’ll be able to find more enjoyment in celebrations like Christmas and Birthdays than I ever could.

I’ll probably listen to some music after that.

If there was one song that could define my time as Alex, Alex v. 16, it was Bennie and the Jets. Funny, I know. It’s not the song that I’ve listened to most as a 16 year old- that spot belongs to Native New Yorker by Odyssey. It’s not the song that has meant the most to me this year- that’ll be Un Día en el Mundo by Vetusta Morla.

Bennie and the Jets does signify something for me though. It’s a song of hope. The first song I listened to in 2022, lying on my bedroom floor at half one in the morning, feeling relieved that the worst year of my life was over, but scared. Scared for what would happen next. Afraid for the future, not sure if I’d make it out or whether I’d fail or succeed. Bennie and the Jets kicked off the greatest year of my life. It was a cry for help and a kick in the teeth to 2021’s Alex to tell him to get off his ass and do something with his life. Stop moaning, be a man. And he was.

I can safely say that I am proud to have lived this year. I am proud of what I accomplished. I am proud of what I have become. Only one more year until your A-Levels, Alex. One more year until France and beyond. Enjoy it, it’ll be over before you know it.

Godspeed, Alex, and I’ll see you in the morning.

Regards,

The greatest ever,

16