My dearest self,

Thank you. I don’t say that to you enough, but truly, thank you. It may be difficult to admit, but you’re one of the strongest people I know.

You have gone through things that no one should ever have to go through. Those things hardened you…but they also softened you. They made you who you were meant to be-a resilient, vibrant, passionate woman who does what feels right for her at every turn, and doesn’t allow others to dictate any part of her life. A woman who thinks and feels deeply, strives for beauty and authenticity, and gives what she can when she can. I’m proud of this woman. She belongs.

The thick layer of hardness that covers you and protects you goes down so deep it’s scraping your bones. Some perceive this as you being uncaring, rude, or standoffish. But you know yourself- you know that the true issue is that you care about everything too much. So much that it hurts you, often. And that hurt has accumulated over the years into this hardened exterior. You’re tough. You can handle yourself. You’re sturdy on your own two feet and you’re not scared to face whatever those feet lead you to.

Those who appreciate your exterior also recognize your interior. Squeezed beneath the bones into the very core of you is a distinct softness- a softness that helps you to understand things, helps you to help others, and helps you to be the very best version of yourself. This is the part of you that cares so deeply about things that you can physically feel it-a palpable ache radiating from your core.

The exterior protects and analyzes while the interior feels and guides. A perfectly balanced set. Together, they make you flexible. Pliable. Adaptable. Durable. You’re built to last, endure, survive, and thrive.

While you always survive, you don’t always thrive-at least, it doesn’t always seem like it. And that’s okay-that’s how life is set up for us. But truly, deep down, even when it doesn’t feel like you’re thriving, you are. Simply by persevering and pushing through the bullshit, you are thriving. Simply by allowing yourself to still be vulnerable when it matters, with the people who it matters with, despite the accumulated hurt, you’re thriving. You have created a life for yourself where it’s okay to just exist. To just be you. A life where you don’t always need to look over your shoulder. Where it’s okay to relax and live moment by moment. It took a long time to get to this life, but you did it. So again, for this beautiful life, thank you.
You must be exhausted; it’s okay to rest now. You’re going to be just fine.

Love,