To Be Extraordinary
Welcome to our column written by Managing Editor Caitlyn Mae Araña, called Catching Up With Caitlyn. Through letters, she addresses the trials and tribulations that come with learning and growing as a 20-something.
This semester, she will be focusing on one particular narrative that has impacted her over the years, although not all articles will be about this one situation. So, tune in for your weekly dose of drama and strap in ladies and gents… Nothing is off limits here.
Dear 17-Year-Old Caitlyn Mae,
The world is not ending. I know that you feel like it is and like you’re the reason why. I know that you feel like you’re dead, although your body is pushing you to live. You’re having a hard time breathing, let alone actually living. I know because I am you—just a few years older with the perk of knowing what happens to you.
Spoiler alert: you live.
Do you remember when you were 12 and truly didn’t think you’d make it to the age of 16? You did. Do you remember when you were 16 and alone because you thought you had lost all of your friends? You didn’t. Do you remember when you felt so sad and defeated that you couldn’t even stand up, and everything you saw was black and white and shades of gray?
Do you remember when the color in the trees and the skies and the stars came back? Do you remember when you met your best friend in the second grade, and the moments you’ve shared together since then? Do you remember when you fell in love? Do you remember when you met the artist you had looked up to your entire life? Do you remember when you turned 20?
You. Live.
Now, I need to ask you for a favor. Please do not settle… for anything. I’m not saying that we’re settling now, because we’re not—anymore. But, I do wish we would’ve gotten here a bit sooner—“here” being the place in which I’ve decided what I am worth and what I want to do—no, will do.
I know what it’s like to want to live an extraordinary life so badly, but feeling like the only option left is to settle. But, please, let me tell you: You are extraordinary. I mean, that’s all we’ve ever wanted to be right? You know that cliche saying, shoot for the moon and land among the stars? You deserve to shoot for the moon and land on the moon, too. You deserve to reach farther than the sky, because there are no limits. We are on borrowed time, so why would you spend it playing it small? You’ve survived all that you thought you could never survive. The most remarkable thing you’ve ever done is live.
If somehow it’s the past, and you’re actually reading this, I hope you understand what all of this means. The fact that I can now honestly say all this to you shows how far we’ve come. Honestly, space and time and all things multiverse gives me a headache, but if you’re reading this in the future, write me one of these. I want to see how much farther I’ve come.
Only Love,
Caitlyn Mae