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Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsdkrebs/

As we approach the end of May, Mental Health Awareness Month, I have one last letter to share. Plus, tips for writing your own letter to your younger self are below my letter. This is an emotional exercise but one that is beneficial. It would be a wonderful thing to do as a family too. Communicating with teens can be challenging. Teens can write letters to their older selves while parents write letters to their younger selves. Sharing this experience and each other’s letters will make your relationship stronger and promote a powerful discussion.

Benefits to Writing Your Letters

• Enhances your mission and passion
• You will connect with yourself on a different level
• You are reminded of your accomplishments
• You lay out your dreams and goals for the future
• Gives you evidence to trust your own judgment
• Promotes self-confidence
• You can clarify what is important to you
• You will get motivated!

My Letter

Dear Teen Self,

Have no fear about growing up. It is a wonderful journey. I know that you have been through a lot over the years, but I can assure you that as the years carry on you will become stronger emotionally and physically. You will find all the happiness that you dream about, which at the moment seems so far out of reach. It is important that you figure out how to learn from all your experiences, good and bad. These lessons help you help others.

Stop trying being so concerned with finding love. You don’t need a guy’s love right now.  As you get older your constant search for love will only cause more confusion in your life. Instead, learn to love yourself first. Then, you will find true love.  You will find the type of love you see in the movies, but only after you love you. Be patient.

Focus on your education. It will take you places! Learning is an adventure. Embrace it!

Take the time to explore who you are. You are awesome! Enjoy making your art and having new experiences. Do not be afraid to put yourself out there! Stop being that shy little girl and start talking to people. Find people who are inspiring and talk to them. Seek out as many new experiences as you can. Find your passion and follow it! Let your passion be your drive.

Your health is important. I know your family tried to explain this to you and you’ve shrugged it off. Seriously though. Focus on your emotional and physical health.  Enjoy food and the outdoors! Oh and sweet potatoes are actually really delicious aside from your prior experience with them. Also, curry is part of your family’s culture. Try it more often. You will love it!

Family is a gift. Practice empathy when it comes to disagreements with your parents. Try to understand where they are coming from.  Don’t use hateful words with one another. Remember to reach out and keep in touch with family. I know we are pretty spread out, but it’s important that we stay connected.

Now, go forth and be awesome!

Lots of love,

Your Older Self, Melanie

Tips To Getting Started:

Question to Consider from Jeanine Cerundolo

• What hopes do you hold for yourself in the future?
• What fears and obstacles do you currently face that you wish to overcome?
• What internal resources do you inherently possess that will help you, now and always?
• What goals do you have that you aspire to? Tip: Commit to the vision, but be flexible to the form.
• What is the ultimate and underlying reason why these goals matter to you? (i.e.: I want to be a public speaker. Why? Because I want to share my knowledge openly!
• What faith do you hold in your own strengths?
• How will you remember what you have to offer, and how will you continue to know yourself and your presence as a contribution to this world?
• How would you react if you met your future self? How would you interact? Create a sample dialogue—see where it goes!
• And finally: What are ways that you can seek to love your future self no matter how much the future varies from what you expect it would be?

Sample Template for Letter Writing from Simple Kerry

Dear Future Self,

I love you because…

I am proud of you because…

I am sad because…

I forgive you for…

I hope that you…

I am thankful for…

I wish for…

I will show my love for you by…

Original Post HERE