A Letter to My 10-Year-Old Self

If you could go back and talk to your 10-year-old self, what would you say? Endeavour Foundation’s Lucas Ciechanowski, who has lived a life different to most, pondered this thought. This is his letter…

Dear Lucas,

There are so many things that could be said to you now; what to do and what not to do to improve in life.

But there really is not any point because I know you probably would not listen to a single word that is being said to you. You were always set in your ways.

Looking back, it is difficult to believe there was once a time when you would refuse to wear underwear because you found it to be one of life’s most uncomfortable inconveniences.

It would have been wise for you to have started wearing underwear at a much earlier age because there are things in life that people just do not need to see.

Primary school was unfortunately spent on your lonesome with wishes of friendships that would make you feel whole.

You did not think you were worthy of anyone’s time, and you spent nights in tears as a result.

Eventually, though, you fought through those negative feelings by forcing your way out of your shell and realising you do not have anything to lose.

You were able to find friends who showed you that you can be loved and valued for the person you are.

You knew in your heart that you were destined to be a star, but you were afraid to shine because the opinions of others were holding you back.

You soon found you were able to let go of that dread through self-acceptance as well as the love that friends and family give you, and you were able to move forward with your life.

It is only a matter of time before everyone in the world knows your name and sees you for the person you really are, rather than the idea that they have of you in their head.

There is so much to be proud of.

At 10 years of age, you knew in your heart that you were worth more than the opinions of those who thought nothing of you, and with each passing day, you have continued to prove those doubters wrong.

Every now and then, you will have a day more difficult than others, with your mind often telling you that you are better off dead.

But you will continue to move forward through the hardships in life, again through love and self-acceptance.

Eventually, you will realise that you are no different to anyone else.

You might not have become a pizza delivery man or drive a garbage truck like you had once wanted, but that is okay. Soon enough, you will still be able to look back and smile because you have made it this far.

Your writing, which you always had confidence in, is steadily being noticed, with you now creating content for Endeavour Foundation.

And you have the company of friends on the weekends, as well as music concerts aplenty.

Life can best be described as a journey that consists of many difficulties.

Fortunately, through self-acceptance and love given to you by friends and family, you are well on your way to being the person who you want to be and where in life you want to be.

Again, it needs to be said that there is so much to be proud of for all that you have done in life thus far. Keep going.

From you, in the future.

Lucas Ciechanowski is an Endeavour Foundation client and employee.

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At Endeavour Foundation, we exist to empower you to live your best life – just like Lucas.

From learning new skills to being active in your community; finding work to finding a home, we have the supports and pathways to make it happen.

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