When I was leaving for college, someone said to me, “These will be the best years of your life—enjoy them.”
At the time, I couldn’t understand how what was ahead of me could ever be better than what I was leaving behind. Those years felt untouchable.
Now, almost fifteen years later, I understand.
What makes those years feel like the best isn’t the timeline—it’s the freedom. The freedom to let your thoughts and dreams grow without limits. It’s in not having a plan and still stumbling your way through life, figuring it out as you go. It’s holding onto the version of yourself that feels the most alive. Saying yes to experiences you never imagined for yourself.
It’s also in the soul-crushing sadness. In realizing just how strong and capable you are—and proving it to yourself, again and again.
If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: you are never truly stuck. Sometimes you have to burn it all to the ground and begin again. And often, it’s in those moments that the best parts of your life are born.
Every decision you make leads you to the next right one, even when it doesn’t feel that way at the time.
Love how you encapsulated these years, "What makes those years feel like the best isn’t the timeline—it’s the freedom. The freedom to let your thoughts and dreams grow without limits." This is the essential nature of emerging.
We are at opposite ends of time, in each of our lives, yet the questions you ask in the thoughts you assemble are so familiar like I too, had them just yesterday or just 50 years ago. They are beautiful thoughts, calm, peaceful, stripped away of grand things, brought to focus on what are still the simplest and best parts of being human. Being loved, being seen. Your narrative may change many times before you too reach 70, but don’t forget to enjoy it to be kind to yourself and hardly ever listen to anybody who says this is not enough. Cheers on opening the door to your life Chloe!
Ellen that is such a kind comment. Thank you. In these dizzy days, worrying about one of my kids in Minneapolis, your words mean much. Be well good Doctor.
I think your plan and feelings are as genuine as they can be, with the information at hand. I think as long as you are true to yourself and be sure to end up doing, work wise, something you love, everything else will fall into place! Congratulations on college in Hawaii!!!! God Bless!!👍🏻🙏🏻
eeeek I’m so excited for your experience at UH. I lived in Honolulu the last two years, and I can say it can open you up to so many new experiences and people.
I love your manifestations and the simple things of life that you are looking forward to. My unsolicited advise would be keep those manifestations alive but don’t let them guide you. Be present and lead with your gut and emotion. Don’t be afraid to date someone you usually wouldn’t, take a class that you know nothing about, or go to a beach without directions. I always find that joy shows up in the most unconventional ways. Again this is unwarranted advice, but I hope you enjoy the island for what it is ❤️
Another 70 year old above wrote some very kind words... I'm 73 this year, a Kiwi, and have a wonderful daughter aged 30. When I started uni in 1971, I couldn't possibly have imagined my future life, so I suggest you stay open minded: who knows what's around the corner.
I've studied uni maths, science, economics, politics and religious studies. I've done teacher training and worked as a statistician, market researcher, teacher, rousie, clerk, interviewer, administator and Santa Claus. I've owned two small businesses, been National secretary of several voluntary groups and been married to 4 wonderful women. I now help my wife run two wedding venues in North Canterbury and look after a dog and two cockatiels.
U don’t need to know everything you want right now - that all shapes and evolves with time anyway. But keep leading with love cuz that’s the best (most fun) way to go through life 🙂
i think this system we have made, this rigid fixed process forcefully etched into our brain on this is how life is supposed to be. u study, study some more, get a job, get married, work till you retire, chill till its your time to go. i hate that. im uncertain about my future and thats what i like about it, but whats the point of if everything is already written down and is supposed to go that way. i just want a simple life. i just want it to go where it takes me. just a simple little life, something i can look back and feel this happy sense of nostalgia.
When I was leaving for college, someone said to me, “These will be the best years of your life—enjoy them.”
At the time, I couldn’t understand how what was ahead of me could ever be better than what I was leaving behind. Those years felt untouchable.
Now, almost fifteen years later, I understand.
What makes those years feel like the best isn’t the timeline—it’s the freedom. The freedom to let your thoughts and dreams grow without limits. It’s in not having a plan and still stumbling your way through life, figuring it out as you go. It’s holding onto the version of yourself that feels the most alive. Saying yes to experiences you never imagined for yourself.
It’s also in the soul-crushing sadness. In realizing just how strong and capable you are—and proving it to yourself, again and again.
If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: you are never truly stuck. Sometimes you have to burn it all to the ground and begin again. And often, it’s in those moments that the best parts of your life are born.
Every decision you make leads you to the next right one, even when it doesn’t feel that way at the time.
I hope you have so much fun.
And remember—sometimes, no plan is the best plan.
Love how you encapsulated these years, "What makes those years feel like the best isn’t the timeline—it’s the freedom. The freedom to let your thoughts and dreams grow without limits." This is the essential nature of emerging.
It is, and it's the belief in your vision plus the endless pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.
We are at opposite ends of time, in each of our lives, yet the questions you ask in the thoughts you assemble are so familiar like I too, had them just yesterday or just 50 years ago. They are beautiful thoughts, calm, peaceful, stripped away of grand things, brought to focus on what are still the simplest and best parts of being human. Being loved, being seen. Your narrative may change many times before you too reach 70, but don’t forget to enjoy it to be kind to yourself and hardly ever listen to anybody who says this is not enough. Cheers on opening the door to your life Chloe!
So beautifully said. Advice we can all resonate with at any stage of life.
Ellen that is such a kind comment. Thank you. In these dizzy days, worrying about one of my kids in Minneapolis, your words mean much. Be well good Doctor.
My heart goes out to everyone in that city. I’m upset even at a distance- let’s hope peace for your family comes soon.
I think your plan and feelings are as genuine as they can be, with the information at hand. I think as long as you are true to yourself and be sure to end up doing, work wise, something you love, everything else will fall into place! Congratulations on college in Hawaii!!!! God Bless!!👍🏻🙏🏻
Lovely writing 🥰
I really love this. Not a résumé, not a perfect plan, just a hope. That feels like a very true place to stand, especially at this stage of life.
My advice, Chloe, take it slow...one bite at a time fully savored. Keep the dreams big, but live life in the present. There is much good in store....
That's a wonderful future ahead! You're actually one step ahead of everybody else - you already have plans. That's a goal!
eeeek I’m so excited for your experience at UH. I lived in Honolulu the last two years, and I can say it can open you up to so many new experiences and people.
I love your manifestations and the simple things of life that you are looking forward to. My unsolicited advise would be keep those manifestations alive but don’t let them guide you. Be present and lead with your gut and emotion. Don’t be afraid to date someone you usually wouldn’t, take a class that you know nothing about, or go to a beach without directions. I always find that joy shows up in the most unconventional ways. Again this is unwarranted advice, but I hope you enjoy the island for what it is ❤️
Hello Chloe:) How are you? I hope you are doing well. Take care of yourself
Chloe, beautifully written.
As someone who grew up in the Bahamas with salt in my hair, sand in my toes
this struck a chord 💛
Great way to start the day reading this
Another 70 year old above wrote some very kind words... I'm 73 this year, a Kiwi, and have a wonderful daughter aged 30. When I started uni in 1971, I couldn't possibly have imagined my future life, so I suggest you stay open minded: who knows what's around the corner.
I've studied uni maths, science, economics, politics and religious studies. I've done teacher training and worked as a statistician, market researcher, teacher, rousie, clerk, interviewer, administator and Santa Claus. I've owned two small businesses, been National secretary of several voluntary groups and been married to 4 wonderful women. I now help my wife run two wedding venues in North Canterbury and look after a dog and two cockatiels.
I wish you every success in life!
U don’t need to know everything you want right now - that all shapes and evolves with time anyway. But keep leading with love cuz that’s the best (most fun) way to go through life 🙂
i think this system we have made, this rigid fixed process forcefully etched into our brain on this is how life is supposed to be. u study, study some more, get a job, get married, work till you retire, chill till its your time to go. i hate that. im uncertain about my future and thats what i like about it, but whats the point of if everything is already written down and is supposed to go that way. i just want a simple life. i just want it to go where it takes me. just a simple little life, something i can look back and feel this happy sense of nostalgia.
wishing you best, and please take your time with love. it’s precious but not always protected like true love demands. 💙
I wanted a lot of this too. I hope it works out for you!