VENDOR WEEK
Letters to Our Younger Selves Big Issue vendors offer words of hard-won wisdom, compassion and love to the teenagers they once were.
12
THEBIGISSUE.ORG.AU
D
ear 16-year-old Lesa, I know things are tough at the moment, but they will get easier. I know that you are disappearing from home, and you’re hanging out with the wrong crowd most of the time. I mean, don’t get me wrong – some of the people you have met are terrific people and you should keep them around you – but there are a lot of them that are no good for you. They will just lead you astray and if you follow, it’s very hard to come back from that. I know you are working, and that’s great! Keep it up, but please don’t be so eager to leave school – or if you really want to leave, please make sure that at least one of your jobs is secure enough to support you. Make the most of your time on holiday overseas with your mum and little brother, as this will be one of your fondest memories. Egypt and Rome are amazing places – so pay attention to everything you’re seeing and doing and just be appreciative of being there. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Yes, you are a punk of a kid, but I want you to know that you are also smart, caring, loving and worthy. Don’t be shy; just be yourself and if people don’t like it, then that’s their bad luck. Don’t dwell on what people say and think of you; it’s really not worth the headache it will cause you.
Don’t go down the road of addiction, because it will get you nowhere. It will make you lose everything and leave you wondering what the hell happened. And when the time comes, there will be no-one willing to help you. Believe me: it’s a very long, dark road when travelled alone. I know you and I know you probably won’t listen to this, but please just keep this letter handy and read it from time to time. Don’t forget that you have dreams for your life and they are important. I think you would make a great lawyer, as you are really very argumentative – and good at it, I might add! And you would be an even better veterinarian, except for the fact that you would want to keep all the animals. Don’t let one person rule your life at any given moment, as it’s your life and you are the one that needs to be happy with your actions. This is the biggest lesson you will learn. Remember you are loved and you do matter and you are definitely smarter and stronger than what you (and a lot of others) give yourself credit for. I hope this letter finds you well, and I hope I have put some things into perspective for you. I hope it makes your life a bit easier to get through. Love, Lesa
photo by James Braund
You Are and You Do Matter
Lesa
13
29 JAN 2021
SELLS THE BIG ISSUE AT BOURKE ST MYER AND IN BALWYN, MELBOURNE