If I could send a message to past Kamal, it would be:

Speak up, don’t be afraid to be who you are, and create that environment and create a space because the things that you have been through have been a lot and you don’t have to do it alone. There are individuals – your friends, your peers, your family – who are supportive, and they are going to love you no matter what, no matter the circumstance. Just know that you have that support system behind you and don’t be afraid to take action and take the initiative to do what you want to do in life.

That’s I would have told my past self being in this position now, and seeing myself being the individual that I am.

I was 17 when I went to college, and I'm turning 24 pretty soon – that’s seven years of growth into myself and to this day, I'm still learning myself, still learning who I am as an individual. I think that's the best thing.

Another advice for my past self is:

You don't have to know right now. Everything takes time. Just be patient.

[As told to @Ragi Gupta ]