Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
The future’s bright .. hang in there kid
Dear 15-year- old me, Hello from 2017. Just thought I’d drop you a line. I’ve been out on my hoverboard for a few hours here, everyone has hoverboards or jet-packs, it’s great now.
Just joking. That hasn’t happened so don’t get your hopes up.
You’ll still be living in Belfast and it will have changed.. but not much.
I know this is a shock as you hate living here because it is a sectarian nightmare and idiots are killing people, but it will get better.
Sectarianism will still exist but there will be what’s called a “peace process”. This will calm things down somewhat, the local news won’t be as inevitably grim as you find it in 1986.
It’s not perfect, but it’s getting there. More good people are trying.
You hate school but stick at it, get to university, it’ll be a blast.
You’re going to have failed relationships, bad life choices and regrettable incidents, but here’s the news, everyone does and will.
Just roll with it and move on, it’s a learning process.
At the minute you know one gay person, your sister’s friend John.
He’s a great fella and loves your sister to bits. You go to an all boys school and they’re all straight.
Heads up, no they aren’t. You just don’t know yet and some of them don’t either.
You’ll meet them in later life and it’ll all make sense.
It may even happen closer to home but I know you’ll be absolutely cool with that as well.
There isn’t a recognisable or distinct gay community where you are but there are enough to make it one, it just isn’t as acceptable there as it is here in the future.
There are still struggles for gay people, narrow-minded folk who disapprove and stick their beaks into business that really isn’t theirs.
Some of your favourite artists are gay and you know this and it’s OK with you. After all, David Bowie always blurred those lines to make others see more sense, didn’t he?
As time goes on you’re going to see this place very differently.
The world is a big place, grab every opportunity to go see it.
You’ll like it, it’s a beautiful planet. It has its dark corners and murky cracks but all in all, it’s pretty spectacular.
Don’t for a second think you’re wasting your time reading, watching movies and listening to music. They are your loves and will serve you well in the future.
Don’t throw out your vinyl if another format comes along. It will be short-lived and vinyl will always be around.
Support the good stuff, the stuff your gut and heart tells you is right.
As you get older you will meet fantastic people trying to make changes for the better. Support that and them. They will make real improvements on this place.
I hope you’re not too disappointed the living in New York dream didn’t come to pass. You’ll go there often enough and have enough to keep you occupied here. on’t ever be disheartened if it seems the politicians in Northern Ireland don’t represent you.
They are what they are and in it for themselves, by and large, that’s the same all over, not just here. Still vote and stay positive. The latter will be tough but hang in there. You’re going to see changes.
Keep your loved ones close, it’s all we all have in this life.
When the worst goes down we’ll still have each other. Never let a harsh, throwaway argument make you
Dforget that. Never be too proud to apologise or compromise, other stupid people find that difficult. Leave them to it. Strike up, not down.
Never smoke and don’t drink too much if you do decide to drink. You’ll feel a lot better, I assure you.
Oh and another thing. You’re going to go bald. It’s true. It’s no big deal so treat it as such. You’ve a decent shaped head and haircuts cost a lot in 2017. Every cloud and all that. OK, I think that’s about it, kid. Just be as nice as you can, mind your manners and your own business and you’ll be fine.
May as well tell you something of the future, I suppose, while I’m here. The Smiths are going to break up. They’re your favourite band, but it’s not the end of the world.
Everything ends sometime and there will be other favourite bands. Be content knowing they’ll never make a bad album.
Keep the chin up, enjoy your life. You’re going to be happy. Oh. Phone Mum more often.
All the best, Future You. X