To the girl who is quiet by nature, who would rather hide her face in a book than speak to a group of people, the girl who has feelings she can’t put into words:

I know you. I know you because I am you. I know that there are thoughts racing through your mind that you have no idea how to put into words. I know there are things you’re dying to say, but you don’t think you’ll be heard.

You want to explain why you are so emotional, so sensitive as all of the adults around you say. You’re an old soul, they claim. You begin to wonder if that is code for you aren’t as loud as other kids, so you must be more mature. You wonder if that’s actually true.

You start to resent those labels. Sensitive, emotional. They are often preceded by too, as if your personality is somehow both too little and too much at the same time. What do they want, you wonder. Do they want you to be louder, or do they like your soft-spoken nature? Do they want you to stop getting your feelings hurt so easily, or is being sensitive a good thing?

If there is one thing I want you to get from this, it is this: You will not feel like this forever.

Your dreams of sharing your story, of helping others who struggle with the same things you do, they will come true. One day you’ll be sharing your fears, your anxiety, and your grief with people who will seek out your work. Your voice matters, kiddo. I know it feels stifled now, but there will be time when you will feel so comfortable telling it that you’ll share it with whoever will listen–you will also learn what oversharing is, and how you have moved to that end of the spectrum.

All of the years spent questioning will be worth it, I promise. I know how often you sit down at your computer attempting to write your story, but you still can’t find the words. With time, and therapy, you will begin to understand yourself in ways you cannot even imagine. You will learn to advocate for yourself, and to tell the truth about how you feel.

That may sound like the bare minimum, and looking back, it definitely is, but that is a goal that you will achieve, and it will change your life.

You will learn that you do not have to put up with the things you have been for your whole life, and you will have the confidence to put your foot down and say enough.

Your. Voice. Matters. I don’t ever want you to forget that you have that voice for a reason, and you must use it to help yourself and speak up for others, to advocate for those who need it.

Don’t ever, ever be afraid to use your voice again. It is one of the most important things about you.
Love,