A Letter to My Younger Self

By U.S. Figure Skating DREAM skater and senior on Miami University Brittney Rivelli
 
I was 13 years old when I traveled to my first U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships with Starlights Juvenile in 2013 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I remember the excitement leading up to the trip, not knowing what to expect, but knowing that even qualifying for the Championships was a big deal. That trip to Colorado would end up being what my team and I deemed successful at the time. We flew home adorned in our newly earned pewter medals, and we felt like we were on top of the world.
 
As I enter my final U.S. Championships after 15 seasons in the sport, I cannot help but look back on my career and be reminded of the incredible lessons I have learned throughout the years. I thought, "What better way to honor all of the memories and connections made than to write a letter to my younger self." So, 13-year-old Brittney, and every skater starting their competitive journey, this is my letter to you.
 
I want you to close your eyes and think about the first time you performed with a team. Remember the purple and pink dress, the tangles in your hair that Mom had to comb through and the way you and your teammates held hands as you waited for your coaches to tell you your placement at the competition. What memory sticks out the most?
 
I can tell you now that I still remember the purple and pink dress, the way we all huddled together, giggling as our coaches told us to quiet down … but I have no idea what we placed or what medal we earned. You will hear time and time again that it is not about the scores or the placement or the medals, and while it is easy to push that aside and feel like that is all that matters, I want you to know that the connections you are making with your teammates, coaches and competitors are what you will cherish the most.
 
When you take the ice, remember to take in everything around you. It can be daunting to look up and take in the whole arena, but nothing beats the feeling of catching Mom's eyes in the stands, hearing "You got this" from your old teammates and finding your past coach cheering you on. The support you have is immense. Sometimes, when things feel like too much, you are going to have to lean into those people.
But don't worry — they are cheering you on in all aspects of your life, not just when you take the ice to compete.
 
It is cheesy, but I need to remind you that falls happen. You will not go your career without taking a fall at a competition, and that is okay. A big part of our sport is learning to get back up, quickly of course.
And you will do just that. There will be disappointment, but your teammates and coaches will be there to remind you that the ice is slippery and things happen. As time passes, you will learn that the fall was pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Always remember that it is how you react to adversity that defines who you are.
 
When you start to feel like the training is too much, keep pushing. I promise you that in those moments when you feel like your legs are too tired to keep going, you are making the most progress. All of those