Dear Younger Me,

I know that you’re carrying a weight that feels unbearable—a pain that you haven’t shared with anyone, maybe because you’re afraid they won’t believe you, or because it hurts too much to say aloud. You’re trying to protect yourself, piece by piece, from a world that has hurt you in a way no one should ever experience. You feel scared, lonely, and maybe even ashamed, but I’m here to tell you: you didn’t do anything wrong. This pain isn’t yours to hold alone, and it doesn’t define you.

I want you to know that healing is possible, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now. There will come a day when you look back on this moment, not with the same pain you feel today but with a sense of strength and pride for having survived it. That inner strength will help you move forward, piece by piece, as you learn to rebuild trust—in yourself and in others.

You’ll come to find people who support you, who understand your story, and who will help you on the days when the memories resurface. You won’t feel this burden alone forever. Therapy, self-care, and the support of people who truly care about you will help you learn how to live again, free from the shadows of what happened. And through it all, you’ll become someone who has a deep well of empathy and resilience, someone who uses their experience to bring compassion to others who have been hurt too.

It’s okay if the healing process is messy and complicated. There will be good days and hard days. But one day, you’ll recognize how strong you are for surviving. You’ll learn to love yourself again and to embrace the parts of you that you felt you had to hide. You are resilient, worthy of love and respect, and you have a future full of hope and healing waiting for you.

When you’re ready, reach out to others for support. You don’t have to face this alone. There’s a whole life ahead, one where you reclaim your happiness, your peace, and your sense of safety. Know that I’m proud of you, just as you are, and that you’ll grow into someone who is courageous, compassionate, and whole.

With all my love and strength,
Your Future Self