A letter to a Sundowner woman’s younger self
What would you tell your younger self if you could? Candice Patchappen's answer is a letter of thanks, written for our women's month series.
As part of the Randburg Sun’s women’s month series, we asked women from across the area to write a letter to their younger selves. Candice Patchappen, from Sundowner, shared the following letter, written to her younger self.
You were insecure about yourself and everything you did. You felt that because you could not afford to go to university, you would never amount to anything. You stayed in a relationship that was not good for you because you thought it was better to have someone than to be alone.
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I want you to know now: Be strong and have the courage to walk away from situations that are not good for you.
You did not have confidence in yourself, and for so long, your biggest priority was making other people happy. You allowed society and the opinions of others to create insecurities and weaknesses within you, but I am here to tell you something you could not see back then: You had more than you ever realised.
You had two beautiful children who would become your greatest joy. You found people who became your support system and pillars of strength. They helped you become stronger and reminded you that you were never truly alone.
You learned to work harder because you realised that your determination shapes your destiny. You discovered that you are capable of far more than you ever believed.
Do not let other people determine who you should be. Do not allow society to define your worth. You are stronger than you think, and you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.
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You have also learned that working hard, taking responsibility for your life, and refusing to see yourself as a victim can lead to a clearer and stronger mind.
So, to my younger self: Don’t give up hope. When times are tough, keep pushing. When you have bad days, smile and remind yourself that tomorrow can be different. You will face challenges, but you will also overcome them.
Keep believing in yourself. Keep moving forward. Keep pushing through the difficult days, because one day, you will look back and realise that the girl who once thought she would never amount to anything became a woman who accomplished far more than she ever imagined.
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