“If your future self, the version that is rested and cared for as a result of your actions today, could write your present self a letter thanking you for doing the things you’ve done to get them to that rested place, what would they be thanking you for in that letter? What would they caution you about? What advice would they give you in regard overcoming obstacles? Does your future self have an answer to how you can remain present while taking future risks seriously? You have the answers inside of you already. Trust your gut. Notice where there’s resistance. Bring back what you discover.”
Hello Past Self,
I thought I’d drop you a little message to thank you for where you got us to today, and to help you out along the way.
All the work you’ve done has helped pave the way for an amazing lifetime. I’m so grateful to you for that.
What you have achieved is monumentous. Look at everything you’ve done! You upheaved your life in all the key areas, during such a difficult time. And you learned so much in the process. Look at who you have become!
But I get that you’re struggling to see that, and panicking about making things so much worse for me. So I want to write to you to help you out on the main challenges…
When you feel like progress is too slow, or you’ve relapsed, please remember this: Progress is not linear. The overall trend is upwards, but the days, weeks and months will fluctuate. Also, compare yourself to who you were a month ago, a year ago, 5 years ago. Don’t compare yourself to your ever-changing standards and expectations of yourself. And definetely don’t compare yourself to others.
When you feel like time is slipping by, that you’re wasting it, and you’re missing out on so much you would like to do, please remember this: How you’re living is a full life, too. You are using your time and energy in beautiful, but different ways. You have people and places around you that nurture you. You finally have dogs in your life again!
When you’re feeling beat, like you’re no good, and nothing you’re doing is good enough, please remember this: It will pass. It really will. You are in deep relearning, and you are in ill-health, so it’s normal to struggle! Just pause the chatter on that topic for a while, go back to the basics: sleep, eat, rest, enjoyment. Replenish yourself, bring back up your resilience, then – and only then – try again.
When you feel yourself slipping into fear for your future and act with punishment to yourself, please remember this: Your future includes your now and how you treat yourself now. What would progress be if you had been nasty to yourself all the way to get there? By all means, work for your future, but don’t sacrafice your present for it.
Keep chipping away at this work, do the best you can while being the kindest you can to yourself. Enjoy your life while you work to improve it.
I’m so proud of you, for all you’ve done, achieved and learned. You’ve helped us for our lifetime.
Love,
Future Self
Answer:
Reading this letter is so beautiful and nurturing to me – I wonder what it was like to write this for you? What did you learn? What did you give to yourself that you maybe previously couldn’t in this letter? How can you use this to your benefit in your present moment now and every present moment that you need it between now and then?
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