How Do I Write a Letter To My Younger Self (2024)
Most of us have considered what we would say to our younger selves if given the opportunity. Through the process of personal growth and development, we learn so much about ourselves with every experience on our journey of life. A letter to my younger self is a great way to reflect on all we have learned in life!
But it’s so much more. This activity is a profound act of self-reflection and introspection. It’s an intricate exploration of who you were, who you are now, and who you aspire to be.
Writing a letter to your younger self deals with self-esteem, confidence, acceptance, healing, emotions, relationships with yourself and others, and so much more. It’s a cathartic process that touches your inner soul. So let’s get started!
Related Article: What is Personal Growth and Why Does It Matter?
Key Takeaways
- Provide sincere guidance rooted in the wisdom you’ve acquired through the years. Emphasize the value of embracing both successes and setbacks, recognizing the growth that comes from both adversity and joy.
- Celebrate personal achievements and express optimism for the future. Remind your younger self of the inherent strength and potential within, fostering a sense of empowerment and self-assurance.
- Use this personal growth activity as a means to reach deep into your soul to find your authentic self and acknowledge all you’ve become in life.
How to Write a Letter to Your Younger Self
The best thing about writing a letter to the younger version of yourself is you can do it on your own terms. You don’t have to share your thoughts with anyone. It’s very private and personal if you want it to be. Maybe you’ve waited a long time to do this, so it’s time to get those thoughts and feelings out.
Start by thinking about your 15-year-old self in high school. Think about what she would need to know about growing up and making the right decisions in life. You know she is going to find herself in bad situations and hard times, so what advice would you give her?
She will also experience many beautiful things in life, so consider what advice you would give her about enjoying those times. What would you say to her about time management and hard work? How would you encourage her to stay on the right track in life?
Think about your life today and what the younger version of you needs to know about her own worth, future career choices, new friends, making right choices, dealing with past events, and the rat race of life today. She is going to need to be strong and confident, right? She is going to need to develop and maintain positive energy, right?
Get in touch with your inner child to help you determine what that 15-year-old girl from years ago needs to know about her future life. Be kind and supportive to that young girl because she is still fragile:)
A Letter to My Younger Self
After much reflection and contemplation, here is my open letter to my younger self.
Dear Younger Me,
Life is complicated and you will go through many ups and downs along the journey. But there are a few things I want to tell you that may help you lead a happier, less complicated life.
Don’t Rush the Journey
You will have the rest of your life to be grown up. Enjoy these years and fill them with laughter, adventure, friendships, fun, and joy. Don’t feel like you have to wait until you are grown up to do new things, try new things, and step out of your box.
Now is the time to step out of your box without a worry in the world. Smile more. Explore more. Don’t take things so seriously. Relax, girlfriend! You have plenty of time to be a grown up.
Accept That People Will Be Mean, But Don’t Hate Them For It
Ride your bike around the block regardless of who is heckling you or yelling mean things at you along the way. Enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful scenery in the neighborhood. Appreciate the wonderful people in the neighborhood.
There sure are more kind people than mean people, you know?
It’s a one-mile circle of curves and hills, so imagine the wonderful exercise you are getting with each circle. Feel the air flow through your body from head to foot.
Don’t focus on the mean people who throw rocks at you. They aren’t going to hit you anyway! They can’t throw that good!
And remember, those people who are mean to you when you’re riding your bike, they have far more problems than you do. When people are mean to others, it is a reflection of how they feel about their own lives. Remember that and trust that when you grow up, you’ll be able to understand this better.
Those people will be miserable and unfulfilled in life because they haven’t learned to be kind.
Don’t hate people for being mean. Show them kindness because they need it the most. If you can’t show them kindness, at least show them grace and ignore their foolish behaviors.
You Don’t Have to Be Perfect, You Know?
You sure are hard on yourself, my friend! It’s not necessary to try to be so perfect, you know? I know it seems like everyone in your family is perfect all the time. And, it seems like everyone loves them and thinks they are perfect, too.
But that’s not really the case.
No one is perfect, you know? Understand that you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. Yes, you are emotional but you should not keep your feelings bottled up inside of you.
You should express your feelings more and let people know when you are hurting. It’s important to acknowledge what and how you feel so you can work through the difficult times. There is nothing wrong with being emotional.
You are not alone, although it feels that way sometimes. Just trust that it’s better to deal with your emotions and feelings. It’s healthier now and it’ll be healthier when you grow up
You are so smart.
But you don’t need to be perfect. You just need to do your very best and work toward your goals so you can feel fulfilled in life.
That’s a great way to be as a child and an adult, you know?
Stay Calm and Express Yourself Honestly and Openly
Sometimes it seems you just stop talking and decide not to express your thoughts if they are different than someone else’s. Or if you think your thoughts will upset or anger someone. Maybe your mom and dad? Or your teacher?
It’s perfectly okay to share how you’re feeling as long as you are respectful, honest, and open in the way you speak to them.
Stay calm. Be confident. Trust yourself to be strong.
When you are an adult, you will be in situations where it’s important to speak your opinions and explain your truth.
Learn to do it now so you are off to a great start! You can do this!
Not Everyone Is Going to Like You, And That’s Okay
You are unique and beautiful. I know some days it doesn’t feel like it, but you are going to grow up to be a magnificent human who does great things! You matter in this world and should always remember that.
But not everyone is going to like you. And that’s perfectly OKAY, my dear! Think how boring this world would be if everyone looked the same, had the same thoughts, laughed at the same things, and loved the same way.
Imagine! How horrible would that be?
Sweetie, it’s human nature to wish that everyone would like us but it’s important to understand that it’s not going to happen. You aren’t going to be for everyone. Just like some people aren’t going to be for you.
We come from different places and circumstances, we have different values and morals, and our lives are different. So stop fretting about people who don’t like you. It’s okay! It’s their loss!
Stop caring so much about what everyone thinks of you. Be you and be proud.
Treasure the Relationships You Have With Your Grandparents and Cousins
They are not going to be around forever. Learn from them. Listen to them. Cherish their stories. Spend time with them.
Can you imagine all the history that the old farmhouse has seen in the past 100 years? What would your life be like if you didn’t have your grandparents’ farm to run around on with your cousins? Not everyone has those opportunities.
The stream with the fish… the barn with the tobacco… the old well on the hill… picking the perfect Christmas tree out of the woods every year. And cooking with your grandmother – she’s a great cook and you’ll appreciate those lessons when you’re older.
Be sure to cherish the time you spend with your grandparents and cousins. Life won’t always be like this.
You are lucky to have grandparents and cousins to love and embrace often.
Be Grateful for What You Have in Life
Your parents work very hard for you to have what you need in life. And let’s face it. You also have most of what you want in life. But sometimes it seems that you forget what a wonderful life you have.
Learn to show gratitude all the time and appreciate all that your parents do for you. I know life isn’t perfect. No one’s life is perfect.
But if you learn to think about things from a positive point of view, you develop an attitude of gratitude. And that leads to a happier, more fulfilled life. Both now and when you are an adult.
Show your parents gratitude and affection for the life they are giving you. Not everyone can say they have a wonderful life.
But everyone can find reasons to be grateful.
You Will Make Mistakes in Life; Learn from Them
You know, they say it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them. We all make mistakes. But if we learn from them, they serve as important tools for personal growth and progress.
So when you make a mistake, don’t beat yourself up or cry. Ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?“
Remember, mistakes are a great way to learn. There’s nothing left to learn if you are already perfect and never make mistakes!
Listen to Your Heart and Intuition
For a kid, you have great intuition, you know? You recognize the good in people and sense when there is a problem. You know when someone is not being honest and understand when someone is hurting.
And usually, you are right about what’s happening around you.
Don’t let people take advantage of your good heart and intuitive mind. Be honest with yourself and follow your heart through life. It will help you reach your highest potential and become the person you are meant to be.
You Can Get Through Hard Times
Life is made up of good times and bad times. Always remember, you’d never know just how wonderful the good times are if you didn’t have the tough times.
Some people will hurt you, but other people will bring you great pleasure. Some situations will be difficult, but other situations will be rewarding and fun. There will be opportunities for success, but there will be times of failure, as well.
You are stronger than you think and you will make it through the difficult times. You are a brave warrior and will someday create a wonderful life for yourself as an adult. Just be gentle with yourself.
Now, go practice the skills you’ll need as an adult while still being a normal, happy, carefree kid. I have confidence in you! You’re a great kid and you’re going to be an awesome adult!
All My Love, Darling~
Your Older Self
P.S. Always show yourself KINDNESS.
Letter to My Younger Self Quotes
I’ve seen some beautiful words written in letters to my younger self quotes. Just for a bonus, I wanted to add a few of my favorites to this article as inspiration for when you write your letter to your younger self.
And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow.
K Chesterton
You’re going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times. But in the end, it’s always their actions you should judge them by. It’s actions, not words, that matter.
Nicholas Cage
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
Various Authors
Be brave. Learn Lessons. Do hard things. Build a good life. Have no regrets.
Katherine Louise
I have confidence in you and all you can accomplish. You need to have that confidence, too. Go out and climb your mountains, dream your dreams, weather your storms, win your races, learn your lessons, and become the person you are meant to be! You got this!
Susan Ballinger
The words you speak to yourself become what you believe. Choose your words carefully.
Samantha | A Purpose in Pain
Final Thoughts: A Letter to My Younger Self
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article and have an opportunity to reflect on what you would write in a Letter to My Younger Self. It’s a great way to understand things from the past, deal with emotions, reflect on the lessons, and turn potential negatives into positives. It can be a powerful component of personal growth and visualizing what you would like LIFE to be like, either for you or your younger self. <wink>
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Love to ALL! ~Susan
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