“I wonder what it was like to write this for you?” – It was hard, I cried when things felt right to say and flowed nicely. I went through a few iterations and drafts, but just went for it and didn’t spend too much time. A lot that was cut out was the specifics, which i just deleted or transformed into general, all encompassing remarks. I also cut out elements and writing that came from fear/control/anger, and transforming it into empathy and love. I cut out complications and kept it simple. Just re-reading it now, i feel moved and warm. I want to write it out nicely and put it up on my wall.
“What did you learn?” –
1) the specifics are just a distraction and can lead me to rumination and ‘yeah but’s…..’.
2) fear, control and anger still drive me a lot, but it gets in the way of being kind to myself and present
3) my future self exists, and i can imagine a relationship with them.
4) this letter was initially about my health, and worrying about my not following prescription rest leading to my future self suffering. but actually, today, i could read it and i saw the words relate to so many other topics.
“What did you give to yourself that you maybe previously couldn’t in this letter?” – love, compassion, empathy, room for pause, gentleness, kindness, warmth
“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?” –
1) consider writing to my future and past self more often?
2) read this letter again/ have it visible
3) think of a go to phrase to help me engender that list of ‘what i give myself’ above. i like “if it doesn’t matter in 5 years, then it doesn’t matter” which i can morph into “what would your future self write to you about this situation”?
4) pause and breathe and reflect. don’t act on impulse, fear, anger or control
none of those options feels solid, though. except for 3 kindof has substance to it for me.
Over to you!!! 🙂
Answer:
Look at the gift you gave yourself even when it felt hard. This is beautiful.
If thinking of a go-to phrase seems to have some substance, explore it. What other phrases hit home for you or might work? How does this one make you feel? What does it allow you to do? If you could think of ways to remind yourself of your go-to phrase, what would that be? Think about making it visible (like on your phone’s screen) or having a physical reminder (a necklace, ring, object, etc.) that brings it to attention when you need it. Follow your intuition. What do you suspect will work for you?
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