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Composing a Letter to My Future Self - UPU's 49th Edition, 2020
Composing a Letter to My Future Self - UPU's 49th Edition, 2020
Letter to My Future Self
Today, I want to write a letter to you, who is none other than me but in 10 years, to share my current stories and to have the opportunity to look back later and see how I have changed. At this moment, I am vaguely recognizing my own habit of living in a virtual world. With comics, online games, and especially social media..., young people like me all feel more diverse and interesting, but it also poses a risk of virtual living gradually taking shape.
From there, it seems like two personas emerge within us, two virtual and real personalities unrelated to each other and with many completely contrasting aspects. Living virtually on social media may include phenomena like regularly posting photos to flaunt wealth, brand-name possessions, relationships, and oneself, while in reality, it's all set up and completely different.
The visions of an idealistic life, far from reality, have deeply penetrated the minds of a significant portion of the youth, and it's truly concerning as most have little control over it. Living virtually is akin to forgetting oneself and what one needs to develop in life. And I truly see myself experiencing this phenomenon. Youth often have frivolous, immature thoughts of adolescence, lacking maturity; sometimes just with reprimands from parents, teachers, the whole world seems to crumble. And the virtual world is where weak, collapsing souls seek refuge. Initially, the virtual world was only a place for young people to turn to when tired, to relieve their hearts, but gradually relying on it, not daring to face the truth. And thus the habit of living virtually gradually forms, dominating the lives of many young people. Furthermore, the development of information technology is a double-edged sword, and when young people are always curious, adventurous, fond of exploring new things, it's easy to unconsciously rush to chase after spiritual values without the control of reason.
But I fear that one day the habit of living in a virtual world will encase me like a sturdy shell, and it will be very difficult to escape from that familiar shell. Thus, if reason falls asleep, the habit of living in a virtual world will gradually tighten the grip on youth, the future, and life itself. Clouds only shine when touched by the sun. Streams only cascade when hung upon the cliffs. We, humans, are similar; only through friction, contact, and interaction with diverse environments can we grow and mature. I hope to embrace real life, to live authentically, and to grow. Then you will see that the world outside, though sometimes causing stumbling, is nonetheless much more vibrant and interesting than the virtual world.
We need to cultivate the courage to live straightforwardly with our circumstances and identities.
And as you read this letter from me, I hope you can say to me, 'You've done well.'
Sending a letter to myself in the future is an intriguing theme in the 49th UPU letter-writing competition as it stimulates the imagination of students when they entrust their inner thoughts to their future selves. Alongside introspective themes like this journal entry, students can choose from various socially relevant topics that are currently of great concern, such as: Writing to the UPU for the 49th time in 2020 about Adults' Use of Facebook, Writing to the UPU for the 49th time in 2020 about addressing CEO Facebook Mark Zuckerberg, Writing to the UPU for the 49th time in 2020 about the youth in the era of @, Writing to the UPU for the 49th time in 2020 about mothers.
