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leebothegood submitted a contest entry to
Write A Letter To A Place That Changed You 1 months, 1 weeks agoGod still working
Leroy lbraggSo my place that changed my life forever is the airport, I met a lady online and we became friends, and we talked for at least 4 to 8 hours a day or until the phones would disconnect, and after sending letters and pictures ( she made me guess which one she was ( I was able to) we had it planned for August 8th, I was going to pick her up from the airport after all she was coming from South Dakota and I was in South Carolina, I had told my boss about her and her panicked saying BE CAREFUL ( I DIDN’T care there was something about this Amazing young lady and I was LOOKING FORWARD to finally meeting her) The day came and I was Early and she flew in to the Gsp airport and was 10 minutes early, I told her to get back on the plane.When we met , WOW, and Time stood still, That moment August 8th, my life changed FOREVER, we have been married for 20 years together for 22 and Still going Strong.Im thankful she didn’t get back on the plane (: she may not have gotten off) She wouldn’t fly back home, Cause this is Where our story starts.My wife, my best friend, it all started with love at the Gsp
Voting starts July 26, 2025 12:00am
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jhustyn submitted a contest entry to
Write A Letter To A Place That Changed You 1 months, 1 weeks agoTo the Pink Tree
JhustynHow do you stay there?
In a city that doesn’t exist anymore.
Drowned under bike lanes and condos
Do you know people struggle
to pinpoint my accent now
they ask “Where are you from?”
– New Orleans?
– One of the Carolina’s?
– Chicago?
I would joke and say “no, Atlantis”
Because my city was flooded
By faces who turn red in the winter
Reminding me of you,
A Cherry blossom,
That would bloom,
Every springDo you remember how it started?
For us, it was a knock on the door.
Answered by my father,
On the other side, A man
Who’s hair barely clung to his scalp
They had A conversation
That started with “good morning”
Included A “thank you”
A “you’re welcome”
An envelope,
A deed,
A polite smile
And ended with a closed door
My father turned And said
“we had to leave.”I thought of the homeless men
The ones who would blend
into the walls outside of gas stations.
And carried a chime of “hey, heys!”
As we walked in. It was common to see them
And ignored their asks of “something’s”
their voices sounded more like compliments
Saying “you’re doing better than me
And you have what I need”Is that what we looked like to them?
Sounded like to them?
our new white neighbors
The ones who forced us to leave
Were we now the Beggars saying
“we belong here”
“It’s our city”
And what would that make you?
A tree,
still standing
Still growing
under a no loitering sign
That was only meant for meYou stayed,
Roots dug in the dirt deep
To a city that would throw away people
Before flowers,
Uproot the blacks
Leave the treesIs that why we left?
So easily
Without a fight
Packed up our whole apartment
Our life and pride in boxes
And left empty
In the nightI grew up in a city
That built a country
That was stolen
And stolen again
And no one talks about itEven now,
when I say the name,
People tell me how much they love it there,
And it hurts to hear.
Makes my tongue swell in my mouth
Pressed against the roof of a house,
We don’t own.
Pushing my teeth like doors or windows,
Begging to be let out or in.
Clintching my jaw like locked keys
Holding in all the things I want to say
And swallowing them down
to the bottom of my throat
a basement
Now stored with questions
That I can only ask youDear Pink Tree,
Do you remember our city?
The taste of mambo sauce
dripping off chicken at grandmothers house?
Or the sound of the live band music
forcing you to beat your feet
against the concrete?
Or the sight of fishing boats that would dock
And sell their blue crab cheaply?Of course you don’t remember
You were one of the beautiful things they kept,
The rest of the city drowned
Under bike lanes and condos
Flooded in the sounds of
Smiling “Good mornings”
Instead of empty “hey heys!”
A city filled with grateful “thank you’s”
And happy “you’re welcomes”That welcomed a tree,
But not me.
I wish you luck with your new neighbors
Keep blooming for them every spring
So you won’t be uprooted in the endSincerely,
An old friendVoting starts July 26, 2025 12:00am
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stacylynne submitted a contest entry to
Write A Letter To A Place That Changed You 1 months, 1 weeks agoDear Christiana Hospital's 6th Floor, Bed 3/Dear Occupant/Dear Amy
SibsWell, here we are.
If I were to have a calendar in front of me, I would mark this time as one of two most dreaded days.
I remember some things so vividly, while more important things have somehow slipped away. I can’t remember your voice. 19 years.
I still carry around my emotional baggage, which holds my guilt, my fears, and my sorrow. We had so many good times…bad times too, of course, but I remember really only the good times.
So many stories, secrets, hopes and dreams, dashed away so quickly. I should have acted. I should have made time to go to the doctor with you. I should have demanded you be seen. The promise I made to you in the hospital room, as I hovered near your ear and played with your hair is still one that I hold to; though it has started fights and maybe handicapped him a bit, I continue to protect your son.
Oh, Amy, when he sings, and he thinks no one is listening, it is reminiscent of you. Not recording your voice is such a regret, but who could have known things would go so bad, so quickly.
I remember stupid things about the actual day, like the weather. On the day of your passing, it was beautiful. While friends stood next to you saying goodbye and weeping, I went and sat alone by the window. The sky had not one cloud in it. Your arrival in heaven was inviting. The day of your service, however, was cold…so cold, and rainy and gray. It seemed to match the occasion perfectly.
I miss you. Those words aren’t nearly as strong as the emotion behind them. I’m stuck in grief. I think of you and cry almost every day. I still want to pick up the phone to share some movie you’d like, or a random, “Do you remember when…”. Is there a phone in heaven?
In that hospital room, I whispered my promises in your ear. Did you hear them?
I am so proud being your sister. I pledge to make you that proud of me. And heaven better ready when my time comes…I desperately await our reunion.
I love you, my sister,
Voting starts July 26, 2025 12:00am
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mysticmaker submitted a contest entry to
Write A Letter To A Place That Changed You 1 months, 1 weeks agoTo the Place That Became Sanctuary
Eternally Changed & BlessedDear Rehab,
When I met you, I wasn’t myself.
I came to you from the floor below,
still trembling —
from withdrawal, sleep-starved delusions,
or some bitter cocktail of both.
A fog so thick
I couldn’t tell the walls
from the weight pressing on my chest.You were sterile and white,
like the hollow shell of a second chance.
I hated you.
I feared you.
And yet —
something in me stayed.The first night, I tried to run.
My mind rebelled,
dragging my body with it,
until I landed alone
in a room meant for two.Blanket draped like a shawl.
I wrapped myself in whatever warmth I could find.
That blanket became my armor.My journal—my confessional.
Your little track—my ritual.
Forty-eight laps a day, chasing pieces of myself in circles.
Hoping they’d fit back together.I hardly spoke at first.
But group cracked me wide open.
Especially when someone new arrived —
loud with rage or quiet with sorrow.
I recognized them.
We all did.
And it broke me.
Then, slowly, it rebuilt me.I learned how to create again.
Beaded jewelry with trembling hands.
Scribbled thoughts like soft confessions.
Songs that clung to me like sunlight.
I wrote in my journal like it was scripture.
Your walls didn’t flinch
when I colored outside the lines.You never asked me to be perfect.
Only honest.
Only present.And in that presence,
I became someone new.When I left you,
I felt like a child again —
fragile, raw, but holding something rare:
hope.I didn’t want you.
I didn’t think I needed you.
But sometimes the most sacred places
are the ones we fight hardest to accept.And now, when the world grows quiet,
I still hear you —
not your silence,
but the voices of every soul I met within you.Their pain.
Their healing.
Their stories,
stitched into mine.If I ever return,
let it be with open hands —
to offer what I once came seeking.With Reverence,
(ProWritingAid Style Score 100%)
Voting starts July 26, 2025 12:00am
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straudt submitted a contest entry to
Write A Letter To A Place That Changed You 1 months, 1 weeks agoHome away from home
Samantha TraudtStars and Stripes Gymnastics Academy,
You gave me a home outside of home. Somewhere I could release my anger and frustrations through power and strength. You taught me discipline and how great the reward can be when you stick to something and commit. Through you, I learned how to listen to what my body is asking for while also pushing the limits of what I think I can do with it. Because of you, I pushed through pain, building resilience against things that hurt me. You taught me that my mind is more powerful than anything else and that the mind controls the body. I learned just how incredible and strong my body can be when I don’t let my mind get in the way. I found friends, laughter, memories, and a place to release my inner child and my inner fire. You gave me a place to be myself.
You also instilled an expectation of perfection in me that has been hard to break. You put me in a position to be judged for years, a feeling that bled through my body as it changed. A mindset that being perfect was always the goal, and while a part of that was true when I spent time with you, I carried it within me outside of you.
After leaving you, I spent years wondering if I was good enough. How can I be a perfect ten? Can I attain the perfection I trained for as an adolescent? How do I stop trying to be so perfect? I stretched, strengthened, conditioned, cried, flipped, fell, bent, broke, and quit while spending time with you. I could say that you shaped me into who I am today. You fed something within me, and I will always love and appreciate you for that, but you also broke me. I don’t blame you though, because it was a part of my journey. I know now that sometimes you break in order to come back stronger, and that is exactly what I did.
Thank you, Stars and Stripes Gymnastics Academy, for teaching me mind-body connection. I appreciate you showing me that there are no limits when fear is not around. You helped the version of me that is writing this letter recognize how important physical activity is and just how far a little discipline goes. Thank you for being a place where I could release and be free. Most importantly, thank you for sending me on a journey to true self-love and acceptance. Because of you, I can blend my dedication and drive with my recognition of rest and patience. I know that for me, the best outlet for releasing unacknowledged energy is through exercise. I know that there is no such thing as perfect, but that my love for my imperfections is exactly what makes me perfect. Saying goodbye was so hard because you helped shape me into the person I am today. You will always be a piece of me, and I love you for that.
Yours truly,
Sam
Voting starts July 26, 2025 12:00am
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chloeyrudy submitted a contest entry to
Write A Letter To A Place That Changed You 1 months, 1 weeks agoShop of Stories
Chloey RudyDear Shop of Stories,
I walk in and am hit with the strong scent of antiseptic and adrenaline. To me, though, it feels like a confessional.
I remember walking in scared that first time, not because of the pulsating needle, but I was scared of being seen. I wasn’t there to be rebellious or to ruin my body. I was there because I needed to remember something. Someone. Myself.
There weren’t many questions asked, I just got pointed to the chair and nodded like I understood. With a small buzz and a slow, careful, gentle hand, you gave me my sister’s handwriting, looped and familiar, across my right forearm. My first tattoo. A permanent reminder of her voice, even when she’s not around to say the words out loud, and we grew miles apart.
The second one came months later, in the form of my middle name, tucked beneath my collarbone. The comfort of the leather chair, the needle buzzing again, but this time I was excited. A name I used to hide, then later learned to reclaim. It was never about vanity, but something to express my newfound love of the favorite version of me. It wasn’t my name directly, but rather, images that told stories, and explained the love I had for three letters.
Then came the picture of Icarus. Not because I wanted to glorify his fall, but because I needed to honor his flight. Glorious wings spanning the back of my upper arm, reaching for something just out of frame, just off of my skin. A reminder that even if I crash, at least I tried.
The shop, the artist, everyone, they never judged the reasons I came back. Never treated the ink like trends, or believing I was stupid for wanting a certain image or specific words. I just kept getting handed the mirror and the ink, letting me rewrite the parts of me that once felt too fragile to hold.
Slowly, my arms got covered in stories, stitched in black permanence, in lines and curves, a visible roadmap of my life. Of surviving. Of growing and becoming me.
It didn’t just change how I looked. It made me remember who I was.
Sincerely,
The Girl Who Wears Her Life Story in InkVoting starts July 26, 2025 12:00am
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ruthliew submitted a contest entry to
Write A Letter To A Place That Changed You 1 months, 1 weeks agoPT21946 Jalan 7
RuthDear PT21946,
Your peach colored walls and flaked paint live in my memory. So does the slick tile and the bathroom pipe. Oh, that pipe that the workers sabotaged with rocks, because the company didn’t pay their migrant contract. I don’t mind, really, I’d do that same trick. I’d like to stick it to the man too.
The day your pipe back flowed and I couldn’t quite cope, I simply shut that bathroom door. My mother-in-law however, made of sterner stuff, took care of that. I’m still sorry.
I can hear the grating noise of the front door grille as if it was just now. It’s been 18 years, and that’s a long time.
I wish for a few things that are probably still in your cubby space. I’d really love my nosey face mug collection. If you know where my clarinet is located, send it. I’ll pay the international rate.
Remember the children’s giggles, and the Humphrey Bear tv show? Do you remember the piano tunes we shared to pass the day? Do you remember the shouting and shoving? You alone listened to me cry at night. You saw the broken furniture. Maybe it is time to forget.
I miss the sun streaming through your master bedroom window, the designer kitchen with the funny cabinets, my children’s shoes lined up by the door. I’m sorry we left in a rush; the children have grown and gone. They are doing fine, yes.
I hope the neighborhood is friendly. I hope whoever cares for you now does better.
Love,
RuthStyle score 100%
Voting starts July 26, 2025 12:00am
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qwertylpm submitted a contest entry to
Write A Letter To A Place That Changed You 1 months, 1 weeks agoSetauket Harbor as a Non-Judgemental Benefactor
Maya Pena-LobelIn March,
It rests forgotten. Abandoned, neglected, alone. You
used to visit It, befriended It once, but You’d
always leave and forget. Left It asking for You
to return. But You were two on-and-off lovers, except You
didn’t even know Its name.In April,
You remember that You need to bend Your knees. It calls to You,
so this time You answer, walk to It. It listens as You
tell It Your woes. Anchor deployed.In May,
You almost forget once again, but You
return. The sun is now warm enough for You
and It to soak it up, so You and It
do so together. The Adirondack chairs have returned and You
begin to look for new life.In June,
You visit It many times. Shared salt water becomes Your
currency. It gives You wind when You
need Your thoughts blown away. You
embrace the dizzying nature of the place, with
maple leaves inducing a welcoming vertigo. You
let It speak to You when You can’t listen. You
feel It when It gives nothing for You to feel.In July,
It attracts Others, but You don’t want to share Your
friend, Your caretaker. It is the beams that hold up
a house on the hill; those wooden supports can only belong
to one home. You asked It to build them under You.
Banter and smiles for the Others, but You
wish they would drown.In August,
the sand burns Your toes and sun reddens Your
nose. Hot air begs Your lungs not to breathe.
Miniscule waves remind You that Your
ears still work. Minnows nibble on Your flesh and flies feast
on Your sweat. It’s what you need.In September,
You wonder if You can still float. You
can’t feel Your arms or legs, but It
is a beacon for limbless buoys and people alike.
Each grain of sand worth the same as a
fiddler crab, dead heron, browning stalk, or You.In October,
You visit It alone. No one else cares for Your
place. It’s Yours in rain and cold and warmth and light.
It’s Yours.In November,
a chill tries to keep You away from It, but no force can keep You
and It apart. You no longer go in Its waters, but You
sit cross legged in Its mud.In December,
cold air hurts Your lungs in the way that the heat used to. But You
still remember that You can’t live without each other, so You
Keep coming back. Ice lines the shore in a way
that no magic could produce. Fractals hold each granule of sand together.
Fractals hold You and It together.In January,
pink sunsets could be the only reason You
would come back, except the sky doesn’t know what It
means to You. Even gray days and lightless nights
provide no barrier between You and It.In February,
nothing happens. But You prepare Yourself to start anew with It.
Another cycle awaits, news months incoming. You
will walk on water in a few weeks. You will come to It
even when You don’t need it.In March,
I come back again. I have new eyes, new body, new perspective.
I know It will never be forgotten again. It gave and I took, and I
don’t need It anymore, but I want It.
And It will forever welcome Me back.Voting starts July 26, 2025 12:00am
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opwriter submitted a contest entry to
Write A Letter To A Place That Changed You 1 months, 1 weeks agoBienvenue à Paris!
Oswald PerezDear Unsealers,
Bienvenue à Paris!
October 8th, 2012
After a long night’s journey into daylight, we’ve arrived in Paris. It’s just my sister and I with no parents for the very first time.
It still feels surreal to climb the steps of the Blanche Metro station. Metropolitan above our heads in wrought iron, the Moulin Rouge on the other side of the street. We’ve made it to our home base in Montmartre.
The winding streets going uphill. Past the Cafe 2 du Moulins, and Amelie’s portrait inside. The pink exterior of the cabaret, Au Lapin Agile, and the bronze bust of the chanteuse, Dalida.
At the top of the hill, the sacred heart of Paris. Arriving at the front doors of the imposing Basillaca de Sacre Coeur.
Even on a gray evening, one could see Paris’s skyline as far as the eye could see.
It was not the fever dream that’s been the last few months we’re actually in the City of Lights.
This moment happened with a huge measure of serendipity. Back in May, I got a phone call from Time Out New York saying that I won a round trip flight for two to Paris on XL Airways France.
I couldn’t believe it. I enter their contests every week and don’t win them. Until now.
The reality of the situation only hit me days later, after receiving a congratulatory email from the airline. And even then, I didn’t want to believe it until my feet touched down at Aeroport Charles DeGaulle.
As the days went on, where didn’t we go?!
Versailles, climbing up the Arc de Triomphe the D’Orsay, the Louvre, La Tour Eiffel. Cruising along the River Seine.
There were not so great moments too.
An allergic reaction, excessive wine consumption, and a missed train to London caused problems.
But we made it through the situations to enjoy the trip.
Thirteen years, and one more trip to Paris later, I realize how much the city held my story.
By showing for better and worse, that I can be more than the cerebral palsy allows.
I will say it every time… J’adore Paris!
Voting starts July 26, 2025 12:00am
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imlizkhalifa submitted a contest entry to
What would the old version of you say to the new version of you? 1 months, 2 weeks agoVisits From the Past
Liz MedinaDear past Liz,
Thanks for visiting me from time to time.
We survived everything that still haunts our mind.You visit in flashbacks, pulling me into our teen bedroom or school.
Being bullied for our weight & wondering how people could be so cruel.You were depressed, self harming, bulimic, & suicidal. Life seemed to pass you by while you just remained idle.
You’ve made mistakes & you’ve hurt others, like constantly fighting with your mother.
We’ve lived many lives, especially in survival mode, but God made sure that we never did fold.
I know life’s been tough, but nothing that you can’t manage.
You have a creative brain, remember to use that to your advantage.Despite what people may say, you’re not a failure or a mistake.
You’re a beautiful creation that God did make.You’ll be going places- if only you knew!
All because you have God that will never abandon you.Voting starts July 2, 2025 12:00am
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Liz, I love the way you end this with “you have a God that will never abandon you”. If we can remember that, the challenges we face will seem a lot less fearsome. Everyone makes mistakes, but the mistakes do not make us failures. Instead, they simply prepare us for a brighter future. Thank you for sharing your experience!
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mandi submitted a contest entry to
What would the old version of you say to the new version of you? 1 months, 2 weeks agoAspiring Author Becomes Writing Professor
Mandi FosterDear 20-year-old Mandi,
Hi, it’s me. Well, it’s you. Ten years into the future, that is. You wouldn’t believe what life looks like now, yet you would be proud of how far you have come. At twenty, in 2015, I know you face much uncertainty as you leave your teen years and decide what to do with your life. You chose Elementary Education as your major and are in the midst of your college studies at Oklahoma State University. Working with children is your passion, and you have a God-given gift. You are now a second-grade teacher, and your students love you.
This may hurt, but you need to hear it: none of the guys you love in your twenties will choose you, but I promise you will be okay. Please, don’t waste your beautiful heart on them. The moment you stop caring about them is when you will feel peace. You’ll realize in time that you don’t need a guy. You have accomplished much more with your life than they have. Don’t believe me? You know how you just completed Composition I and II and thought, “I could teach this”? Well, you’re teaching it. Yes, you are now an adjunct professor at a Bible college, teaching freshman writing. How did that happen? Do I have a story for you…
In August 2023, you moved from Oklahoma to Billings, Montana, to attend Montana Bible College. You completed the 1-year certificate in Biblical studies. You needed a break from teaching and wanted a relaxing, healing year. Several of your professors became curious about you throughout the first few weeks. The other students were 18-year-olds; therefore, some of your work stood out. Professors began sending students struggling with writing to you, and you tutored them.
One of your classes was a beginning writing course: Effective Written Communication. During the first class, your professor overheard you talking about your time in graduate school. He seemed surprised that you were taking his entry-level writing course. You told him you loved writing and felt you could learn more from him. The last week of September, he approached you during class. He asked, “Has the Vice President of Academic Affairs reached out to you yet? I hope it’s okay, but I told him you should be the school’s writing tutor.” He had said a student in his writing class loved to write, had a Master’s in Reading and Literacy, and was tutoring students out of kindness.
Soon after, the Vice President of Academic Affairs approached you and asked you to be the school’s writing tutor! You met with him to discuss the position. Towards the end of the conversation, he said, “I have something else I would like to talk to you about. I don’t need an answer now, but I would like you to teach a class here this Spring. How would you feel about that?” This was completely unexpected, but a pleasant surprise. The class was called Teaching Children. He heard from your writing professor that you had 5 years of teaching experience and a Master’s degree, and it was a perfect fit.
Your first evening as a professor, you were very apprehensive. Having never taught college before, you were experiencing all the anxiety and doubt that comes with trying something new. However, no one seemed to doubt your ability or whether you deserved this position. It wasn’t long before you became comfortable in front of the classroom, even though you were now in front of 20-year-olds instead of five-year-olds.
As the semester came to a close, you knew you didn’t want to return to Oklahoma yet, but also didn’t know if you should remain in Montana. Until you received an email from the Vice President of Academic Affairs requesting to meet with you regarding your future with Montana Bible College. He informed you there was an opening to teach the writing course and asked if you would be interested in teaching it. You said, “Absolutely”!
The rest is history. You are now a writing professor, like you’ve been dreaming. You’ve become a fearless, accomplished woman who still loves writing and writes as much as possible. Please don’t forget how much you love to write, even in those darkest moments. Writing always brings you joy; make time for it.
Well, you made it. You’re thriving. At thirty, your words are inspiring college freshmen. Now, I am waiting for a letter from our 40-year-old self, telling me we have finally published our novel…
Anyway, I’ll keep you posted. Keep praying and keep writing!30-year-old Mandi
Style Score – 83%
Voting starts July 2, 2025 12:00am
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Mandi, what an inspiring story! I love how the position as a writing professor found you at a time in your life that fit perfectly. Sometimes it seems like the stars simply align in our favor! I am glad that you are able to look back and give your 20-year-old self hope for a fulfilling future. Thank you for sharing your experience!
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amber28 submitted a contest entry to
What would the old version of you say to the new version of you? 1 months, 2 weeks agoDear Past Self
Amber JimenezDear Past Self,
I know there are questions that are currently unanswered and at this moment, there is no guarantee that things are going to get better. However, I can guarantee that soon your dreams will shift into reality. The journey there will be rocky, but you are built for it. I dislike having to tell you, it will take time to get to there, however, the destination will be rewarding. The reward will come as an angel that your soul has already claimed and you will name her Mia A’Lani. She will fill your heart full, and then you will gain understanding. You will understand why the road you had to walk led to her. I do also have to make you aware that life will continue to toss and turn. You will want better and to be better for your dream come true and because of Mia, change will be easy. There will be a purpose with Mia, always. She will be your happiness for the rest of time. After all, she is all you ever hoped for. Just hang on, I know you have no problem hanging on and staying strong, but this is your confirmation that dreams do come true, happiness is genuine and love is waiting for you, too.
Style Score : 89%
Voting starts July 2, 2025 12:00am
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Amber, our children have the power to bring us happiness even when we feel defeated and unworthy. They motivate us to make changes in our lives that we might not take the initiative to otherwise. To be able to tell your old self that genuine happiness and love await is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your experience!
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rosedreamera submitted a contest entry to
What would the old version of you say to the new version of you? 1 months, 2 weeks agoOrigami and Mazes of Smiles
Rose DreameraHidden behind mazes of smiles, added to every page of your book (sometimes overlapping): I see you.
For every tear left unanswered, my gaze will hold you an extra second. Through each challenge and in the centre of any storm, may you discover my eyes. Trust that they hold infinite space to carry you. Allow yourself to feel the words as they echo, Love, and let their alchemy sew the wounds asking to be healed. Fore, I know every fold. You are an origami, whose complexity I will never fear. Forget the overwhelming tension between chaotic bustle and terrifying void.
The melodic whisper instilled in your essence is far more important.
Despite the absence of certainty, even though you were handed silent and invisible pain, you find the strength to stay curious. “I can’t let it end like this. I need to know how the story really ends!” I cherish your resilience to this day.Being protective of your younger siblings never felt like a choice, but like your duty.
Because you never wanted them to go through any of the feelings passed on to you.
And you don’t want to leave them. You wouldn’t want them to miss you if you left.Nor do you want them to know
…the lacks you are trying to make up for.I am here, now. Your fears can rest, your worry can cease, because you will never be alone again: I found you.
To the little girls in you who were lonely, forgive my absence. You were not forgotten, you were my only purpose. I didn’t let you go, I let you grow. I didn’t want you to suffer, I had to become better, stronger and properly healed. My purpose was to fabricate your safe space. The adult whose support you will count on. The best friend who always wants to play with you. The love you crave, desire and deserve.
My Love, know that you will leave the aspiration to be perfect along the way. And if there is a leader in me today, it is because of your stubborn and beautifully flawed self. Your existence was never a coincidence. Your difference is not a curse, it is your most reliable advantage.
Whether you choose to believe some, none or all of my words is up to you.
I too wonder how the story really ends.
Style score: 100%
Voting starts July 2, 2025 12:00am
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Rose, resilience is the key to growth and finding happiness in life. If we let each hurdle bring us down, we will never rise above. I love that you “found” yourself and I know that your resilience surely had a lot to do with it. Thank you for sharing your experience and inspiring me!
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shaunalee submitted a contest entry to
What would the old version of you say to the new version of you? 1 months, 2 weeks agoThe Girl In The Mirror
S.L.To The One Who Didn’t Kill Herself,
Tilting my chin, gazing into the mirrored reflection
Gentle stillness takes seat in my core
Truth whispers in a familiar tone
The girl gazing back at me
She is my conscious creation
Like a skyscraper in the night
Her essence built by each stone I set
The storms had tried to knock her down
Yet she stood resilient in the winds
My internal torment, swallowed with light
The demons pushed out to shrivel into the night
Death would not take me
She was there as my protector
Sprinkling her fairy dust on me
The entire time unknowingly
Protecting me from myself
Holding my hand out to touch her
Heat pulsating through my raised palm
Her hand meets mine
A spark of connected fire making me jolt
Bright embers surround my body
Sheltering my spirit from the death attempted upon it
A visitor from the future always with me
I see now that I created you
In order to save myself
We were always one.
ProScore-100
Voting starts July 2, 2025 12:00am
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S.L., this is a beautiful and moving piece. I love the idea of saving ourselves from the demons within by creating a light so strong it can destroy any darkness. We are our own heroes if we simply allow ourselves to be. Thank you for sharing your experience and inspiring me.
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aschimmoller submitted a contest entry to
What would the old version of you say to the new version of you? 1 months, 2 weeks agoSilenced no more
Ashley SchimmollerDear Past Me,
People have used you as a pawn- a stepping stone for their own story; Used at their convenience, disregarding the consequences for you. This started early on and has been an ongoing thing. It never happened with people you did not know-they were all trusted. It was a best friend, a teacher, a coworker, and a loved one. Having your trust broken so many times, you believed you did not deserve to be loved for all of you.
You tried speaking up the first couple of times, but when you were told that it did not really happen, you made yourself believe it wasn’t that bad. Each time it happened, your self-esteem plummeted to an all-time low. The questions of why were you not good enough and what you did to deserve this began playing repeatedly as your anthem. The screams and the agony woke you up throughout the night so often that you did not want to fall asleep. You felt desperate for someone to see your pain, so you made the scars visible. The weight of the world continued to pull you down lower and lower until you wanted to break. It’s a never-ending nightmare that is engraved in your brain.
You will learn tough lessons every day, regardless of whether or not you have them scheduled: how to become vulnerable, uncomfortable in the quiet, and how to recognize that the past version of you is not the enemy. Despite these terrible memories, they have become a necessary key to who you are today. It will become natural for you to no longer apologize for existing. The tolerance for gas-lighting is minimal, your self-worth and esteem are continuing to grow, and the ability to see through people’s deception has improved.
You will continue to look for someone to be proud of the hell you have survived. The ultimate lesson for you will be you are your biggest cheerleader. You must be proud of yourself, because it is no one else’s responsibility to do so. This does not come as an effortless task, but as a reward to yourself. A prize that you have fought so many years to achieve.
Let me finish by saying this. I am proud of what you have overcome when no one would believe you; That you continued to fight to heal those invisible wounds that were so visible to you. Pride would not acknowledge the strength and courage it has taken you to continue fighting when you wanted so often to give up. The screams that you thought no one could hear- I hear them- and I will continue to fight for you. The pain that you endured for so long will not go in vain. You will find someone who accepts you for who you are, and you can finally let your light shine. It is worth the hell you are going through now. One day, you will see that.
Love,
Future You
Style Score: 68%
Voting starts July 2, 2025 12:00am
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Ashley, I am so glad that you are silenced no more. While I do not know exactly what you have endured, I am sure that it took a lot of strength to keep it from holding you down. You are so worthy of love and happiness, and it is wonderful that you can tell your old self that with confidence. Thank you for sharing your experience!
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shawntyrell submitted a contest entry to
What would the old version of you say to the new version of you? 1 months, 2 weeks agoDear Light Bulb
Shawn TyrellTo that Light Bulb in East New York,
The one who thought survival was the only goal.
I see you.
Shining on that stoop wondering why Moochie never came back.
Walking to school with a chip on your shoulder and the heat separate from the clip.
Trying to make sense of abandonment while protecting a young mother who was starting to slip.
You should be proud.
Not just because you made it out, but because you never stopped believing that there was something more.
You didn’t know the vocabulary of faith, vision, or legacy.
But the flame was lit in you.
It flickered in the way you hustled, the way you watched, the way you listened.
You had the guts to dream out loud, even when your environment tried to silence you, the darkness tried to hide you.
And now?
Now you’re leading.
Now you’re writing about love, talking with integrity.
Now you’re turning life lessons into launchpads and pain into platforms.
Now you’re talking about truth and boldly advocating for transparently.
You don’t wear a mask to fit in anymore and you now build spaces where others can take theirs off.
You’re not running from your past, you’re using it as proof of God’s grace and your grind.
So, if you ever feel unqualified, remember this:
Light bulb didn’t survive without a purpose.
He survived so the new you could SHINE… something no one thought possible.
And together… y’all are dangerous in a Godly way.
With love, pride, and purpose,Shawn Tyrell
Voting starts July 2, 2025 12:00am
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Shawn, this is a powerful and inspirational piece. Believing that there is something more, like you said, is such a motivator for those looking to break free from whatever has a hold on them. I love where you wrote, “he survived so the new you could shine”. Thank you for sharing your story!
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fa1resbun submitted a contest entry to
What would the old version of you say to the new version of you? 1 months, 2 weeks agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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twistedwillowwrites submitted a contest entry to
What would the old version of you say to the new version of you? 1 months, 2 weeks agoTracing My Footsteps: A Note to the One Who Grew
Sheila McLaughlinIt’s taken a little longer to get here than originally planned, hasn’t it? Growing older teaches you that not everything happens according to your plans or timeline. Who would I now be without the deep experiences that tender heart journeyed? Grandmother always said to stop wearing my heart on my sleeve, but she was from a harder time and we made it through, anyway.
That sleeve, though it’s tattered, is still hanging in there with wisdom beyond the years you suffered. That sleeve dries more tears than just yours, too. It’s a place of non judgement and advice to other women just like you. I need to apologize to you, though.
I know it’s painful to remember the moments he would hurt you, yet you chose to stay. Please forgive me for the trips to the dentist to remove your remaining broken teeth and the smile you lost for so many years because of embarrassment and shame. For the days you missed work because you couldn’t hide the bruises. For the homes, family and friends you lost because of his merciless chaos. Some said you were dumb for staying, some said you were a glutton for punishment. You had nowhere and no one else to turn to. It wasn’t desperation or stupidity that kept you in his grip. It was the fear of not making it on your own and the cruel things he did to make sure you stayed living in that fear. You should not be ashamed that your heart continued to love, even though they did not deserve it. Those decisions didn’t make you weak; you were truly the strong one. Don’t fear, little self, no one will ever hurt you like that again.
It pains me to see the sadness in your eyes as I look back. What they tried to make you believe, you’ve exceeded. You’re no longer the woman who pretends she’s got it all together, slowly dying inside. You’re more than the brunt of his punches and self loathing. People call you by your name now and you smile more and more each day. The world needs to hear the woman you were from the woman you are today. One foot in front of the other now, you’ve got solid ground you’re treading.
(pro writing aid style score: 83%)Voting starts July 2, 2025 12:00am
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Sheila, it is so wonderful that you are smiling more each day. I hate that this person made you feel as if you deserved to live in fear, but the fact that you made it out stronger says so much about your character. I hope you continue sharing your story and inspiring others!
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seashell submitted a contest entry to
What would the old version of you say to the new version of you? 1 months, 2 weeks agoTo her.
Chelsea TannerHello love.
I hope this finds you at a good time.
I hope the space you take up in my chest
Is covered in cherry blossoms
And all the love you were never given.
I promise this won’t take long.The place you now rest in my ribcage,
woven together with vines and fauna,
is my favorite place to find my strength.
I hope you know, the day I lost you,
the words stuck in the back of my throat
unraveled so completely
that I am still spewing their music.
I hope that one day I can show you,
we are no longer the only ones who listen.I hope somewhere along the way
The wind grew tender as I changed.
I used to fight with the spray of cold.
my callouses have come back
but I stopped clenching my fists.
You didn’t ask me to, but I soften anyway.I have never stopped searching
For the ones that would love you
for every flower petal and shard of tree bark
that you has ever brushed your fingertips
After all you made me, it is the least I can do.
You survived everything you said you couldn’t
Traded your sanity for a chance at mine,
and the only predictability you’d ever known
to use as rash kindling for a wild inferno
that is now blazing its way up from my belly.I miss you more than I could say.
When my chest cannot capture air,
and this fire in my stomach stutters in place,
when I wonder how long it would take
for the dirt smudged on my bruised cheeks
to reclaim my lifeless vessel,
I feel your heartbeat in my chest.
I feel you and I know
that you are proud
of this wildfire and wind I have become.Style score: 100%
Voting starts July 2, 2025 12:00am
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Chelsea, this poem is so inspiring to me. I can tell that you’ve spent a lot of time searching for someone to love and care for you, and I hope that you aren’t the only one listening anymore. Wildfire and wind are unstoppable, so I know you are too. Thank you for sharing your experience!
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apinkins submitted a contest entry to
What would the old version of you say to the new version of you? 1 months, 2 weeks agoDream Big Look to the Stars!
Angela PinkinsWhat would the old version of yourself say to the new version of you?
Dream big little girl. As you played in the streets with your friends and your sister, you never thought you could ever dream. You walked to school on those cold winter days and entered a classroom to start your day. The world seemed so small, but yet it was so big. As I looked up, down and around, I never knew the world would embrace me and take me into its wings. Thoughts went on and on in my mind, dreaming there was something bigger, better than me. I wanted to reach high and try new things because the world was always curious to me. What was out there in the world? A world full of choices, one choice here and one choice there. Having to choose who I wanted to be, and I really didn’t even know myself. I was still growing and experiencing the world around me. Having a safe family who cared for me gave me power. As I used my imagination and I became older, I had then made decisions that would affect me forever. No longer could I depend mother. It was me this time who had to make tough decisions so that I could dream for myself. I would say to my older version that to dream was to win! The world I envisioned while looking up in the stars as a child was the same world I envisioned as I grew older. I was now not the little girl who had a dream, but it became a reality within, especially as I grew big. A dream to go far, but now I was naked without my mother. I had to become the adult. I had to learn to make those dreams come alive. So, I would say to my younger version of myself, thank you for dreaming. Now, as I have become older, I now have to remind myself that those dreams I had as a child can now soar into action. I have the talent and skill to make it happen. Life helped me to rise to the occasion, and I fought the fight to win to become the woman that I am in this world that is so big. I am writing you a letter today to say thank you to my older self! Your choices that you made while in those hard times, the times I fell down, and I got back up and for the times I never gave up. Thank you for the time I listened to my inner voice that said you will be big someday. Just carry on. Now satisfied as an older woman. Life seemed longer for that little girl. However, I grew into a grown woman. I still dream, but now my dreams can come true as I put forth the effort from way back when, to help me be a better person, as I am still continuing to grow. I look back and I look up and I remember the stars. The stars yes, they are still shinning and reminding me I can still dream! And I can make it happen!
My Style Score was 100%
Voting starts July 2, 2025 12:00am
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Angela, you can make anything happen because you are strong and capable. Throughout our lives, we make so many decisions that impact our futures, and sometimes we don’t even realize it. Like you said, it is the choices we make during the hard times that influence the direction our lives take. Thank you for sharing your experience!
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