By Stacey Brake
Here's a favorite journaling technique that is often used in therapy. Write a letter to your younger self. Some of the benefits of writing a letter to your younger self include being able to gain perspective on something that haunts you from the past, catharsis and practicing more positive self-talk. Often, we are our own harshest critics. But when we remember we were once an innocent child and think of how we would want to speak to her/him, it reminds us to be a little more gentle with ourselves ... now.
So, I've taken the leap and written a letter to my younger self. I'm sharing it below in hopes that you'll take a moment to do the same for yourself. Give yourself a moment of grace. Offer some love to a part of you that is still healing ...
I'd love to know if you give it a try!
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Hi Sweetheart,
You've got a lot of big dreams in your heart You don't quite fit into that big-girl dress ... but one day ...
There are some things that I want you to know. First of all, you are so loved and even when life is hard for you or for those around you, it's truly lucky to have love in your life.
Sometimes, you will share your dreams, your ideas. your heart with others but they won't understand or think those ideas are so great. They may even criticize you or try to convince you that you should change your mind. That's OK ... the only one who needs to love your ideas, is you. So, write them down. Keep them close to your heart. And then, when your idea is strong enough to survive on it's own, share it and it won't matter what others think.
Next, and pay careful attention to this one, life isn't always easy or fair. BUT, YOU are strong enough to handle whatever will come your way. One day, you will stand up for yourself and speak up when someone tries to push you around. He will think that you are weak because you are soft-spoken and kind, but you are also tough. When you do speak up, it will change his tone and the outcome of the situation. It will still feel AWFUL! You can do the right thing, the brave thing, you can win ... and still feel awful. Keep being brave. Keep being brave.
Most important of all. You're going to be the kind of girl who wants to be good. Actually, you will strive to be perfect at everything you do, you'll want to make those around you happy, you'll want to please others, you'll want to be praised. It's ok to want to do your best. But NOBODY is perfect AND more important than making others happy, is learning to be happy and joyful yourself. It's more important to disappoint others to be true to your own heart than to disappoint yourself.
Keep going for your dreams! And surround yourself with people who encourage you AND have dreams of their own. Cheering each other on is one of the most fulfilling opportunities in life!
Love,
Stacey (42)