Do you remember the butterflies in your stomach when you finished high school? The moment the flower begins to bloom.
Last week I felt like writing about this for a teenage friend I watched grow up. I just stumbled on this text in my notes and decided to share it here.
Dear friend, today a flash crossed my mind, in microseconds, of the day I left my parents’ house to live on my own.
I remembered that for me it was a moment of major butterflies. I felt like a turtle hatched on the beach, heading toward the huge, unknown sea. Just sensing I had to go that way…
At first, the relief of expanded freedom. Right after, the butterflies — also from that expanded freedom.
I also remember becoming a fan of my parents like never before, trying to imagine the effort they had made to raise me. And the effort they would still make to raise me in the big city.
Just as they used to say “when you grow up you’ll understand”… I started to understand that I was beginning to grow up — because I was already understanding some of those things.
But I decided to share this and write to you so that you don’t fight the butterflies in your stomach. They’re part of it, and later they become a story.
Don’t let yourself be paralyzed by the resistance our minds invent. You are young and at the peak of the power a human being can have. Use your powers and your potential.
At every doubtful, uncertain, butterfly-filled moment, know this: all of it will become a story. Keep going!
Memorize this unique moment of you and your parents apartment-hunting together. This moment will never leave your memory. It is already a defining episode in this chapter of your story.
I’m rooting for you!
Originally published on my Instagram in September 2023.