Don't Worry

In a letter to his daughter Scottie dated August 8, 1933, F. Scott Fitzgerald laid out some advice for her to follow. The letter alternates between lighthearted sweetness (he addresses Scottie as both Pie and Halfwit) and genuine concern for her future. It also gives some insight into Fitzgerald’s own character (he confesses to not believing in happiness). Reading the letter today, it’s interesting to note how much of what he says still rings true (Save for the part about insects. There I would have to disagree with him). What do you think dear readers?

Things to worry about:

Worry about courage


Worry about cleanliness


Worry about efficiency


Worry about horsemanship

Things not to worry about:


Don’t worry about popular opinion


Don’t worry about dolls


Don’t worry about the past


Don’t worry about the future


Don’t worry about growing up


Don’t worry about anybody getting ahead of you


Don’t worry about triumph


Don’t worry about failure unless it comes through your own fault


Don’t worry about mosquitoes


Don’t worry about flies


Don’t worry about insects in general 


Don’t worry about parents


Don’t worry about boys


Don’t worry about disappointments


Don’t worry about pleasures


Don’t worry about satisfactions

Things to think about:


What am I really aiming at?


How good am I in comparison to my contemporaries in regards to:


(a) Scholarship


(b) Do I really understand about people and am I able to get along with them?


(c) Am I trying to make my body a useful instrument or am I neglecting it?