Love Letters: An Exercise in Self Acceptance

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

Part 1: Teenage Angst

This letter to myself came as a result of a letter I wanted to write to my son - but soon realized it wasn’t for him at all. It was for me. My words were coming from a place of knowing the struggle of adolescence and the power of growing from our mistakes. These were messages of self love and acceptance that took me years to hear for myself. I thought I could offer him this wisdom. But I know “wisdom” can only be earned by experience. *sigh* 

What I discovered was an opportunity to connect to a part of me that still needed these words: 

A Letter to My Teenage Self

Dear Katie, 

If I could tell you anything it’s that you will be ok. Right now, you are your own worst enemy. The voices in your head are so loud you can’t see what’s real. You think you’re being judged and excluded by others, but that’s really your own self judgement masked by your ego. Your own self judgement makes it easier to believe you don’t belong and don’t measure up to what you see in others. 

What I want you to hear, see and feel is that when you accept you and know you belong only to yourself, then you radiate something everyone else wants. You attract what you radiate. But to do that you have to learn who you are. Be ready to be surprised, because you have been hiding for so long you’ve disconnected, forgotten, and abandoned yourself. 

If  you hear only one thing, let it be this: Love starts inside, not outside. Experience and embrace what brings you joy, what sparks your curiosity. That’s your authenticity! And connection starts with authenticity. I promise people will embrace the authentic you. They will always sense and be suspicious of a mask. They don’t have to want or like the same things as you, but they need to know who you are in order to accept you. The real you. When you embrace you, you radiate love. You attract what you radiate. 

Katie, you will hurt and you will grow, you will fall and you will rise. Joy is yours to experience, but you are the only one who can open that door. It takes courage, and you will be forever grateful for the journey.  

“I am thankful for my struggle because without it, I wouldn't have stumbled upon my strength.”

― Alexandra Elle

With Love and Gratitude, 

Me 

Who we are today is made of all the parts and pieces we experience throughout our lifetime.

Writing this letter was a reminder to myself not only of what I needed then, but what I need now. Connecting to that girl, my teenage self, was connecting to that part of me that most needs self compassion. It was also a deep experience of connecting to a part of myself I abandoned as I entered adulthood. With this experience I was able to bring her from abandonment to acceptance. To see her today and allow her to grow and flourish. This was ownership, forgiveness, connection and self compassion. 

What would you say to your younger self? What light would you shine? What gratitude can you offer for the journey to today?

Watch for part 2, Letter to My 75 Year Old Self

Self compassion is an important part of healing. Letters such as this are a great tool for this practice. To learn more about self compassion and build tools for your own practice, book a Curiosity or Discovery Call here: