VOTING starts March 15th and ENDS APRIL 14th at 11:59pm ET
Our winners will be announced April 17th
You can vote by clicking the heart below your story (make sure you refresh page to see updated vote).
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1st place – $200 – The Unsealed judges choose winner
Bonus Prize – $50 – Whoever has the most votes determines winner
Thank you everyone for sharing your beautiful stories.
Vote for this letter by subscribing to The Unsealed or adding your email to our mailing list. Votes from members of The Unsealed count 5x.
Our finalists will be announced March 15th, VOTING ENDS APRIL 14th at 11:59pm ET Our winners will be announced April 17th-
whitjr submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 5 days, 20 hours agoDIALOGUE WITH MYSELF TOWARDS 2023…
Ray WhitakerThere is time you spent looking
somewhere in the course
of the day
or days
or weeks and months
maybe even yearsfor that certainty of presence.
This is where you are no longer any sort
of impostor
of fearful
of lacking
of emotional
or dramaticwhen the only thing there is, is that you, yourself, are.
those noises in your head are you
however…read moreVoting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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heidihelenadunshea submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 1 week, 5 days agoThe Peace in Your Sky
Heidi Helena DunsheaDearest,
Last year I clutched close to every piece of home,
Sorting through the numbness with trembling hands.
But the new year’s morning is bathed in apricity.
Aliferous and untainted.
So I let myself slip under the bright simple day.
The tempting beauty of just being.
Thoughtful footsteps on holy ground:
A tradition long overdue.
The f…read moreVoting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Heidi – I am sorry you had a rough year last year. But you are so right. YOU ARE IN CONTROL. I hope this year you are navigating your way and finding the peace and joy you deserve. Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem and thank you for being a part of our Unsealed family. Sending you the biggest hug. <3 Lauren
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You’ve got it this year Heidi. Sometimes even though life can be hard for a moment we learn from that pressure and can fix any past heartaches and heal from them. Life can be tough but every new year can have a new development that can either break you or shake you. It’s up to you whether or not you let that happen.
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Dearest Heidi,
How I love your beautiful words “Beginning Again” it is actually a very personal saying to me. I have a project working with survivors of domestic violence with these beautiful words included. You are so strong. Your words are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing them with all of us. -
Thank you so much for everyone’s insight and encouragement, it truly means the world to me. It is such a joy being able to share my writing and enjoy the work of others too. 💛
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msoul18 submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 1 week, 5 days agoLittle Letters To Soul
MyjahSoul,
I have always found solace in writing to you. I remember I want, I can, I will. Our lives are more intertwined than I’ve previously believed them to be. I have seen your visions and know they are promises to me. There is so much depth for me, isn’t there? Because I can only feel the vastness of the universe, not see it. You can see what I c…read more
Voting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Myjah, this is beautiful. Let go of all your hesitation and go live your best life. Thank you for sharing this beautiful letter and inspiring others to let go of their reservations and live their best lives as well. And thank you for being a part of The Unsealed family. <3 Lauren
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Thank you so much for your kind words and support. It’s a pleasure to be apart of the community (: I can not wait to enter future contests as well!
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Such a great letter Myjah. Let go of your fear and take charge. It takes a lot of boldness to let something go after you have held on to it for so long whether that is physically or mentally. Keep up the great work and shine your last gut and confidence to the world.
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Thank you for enjoying my submission! The journey has been long and hard but I am reaching the end and working towards a better life. Also thank you for your encouragement(:
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Such deep and moving words you have weaved together. I feel them deep within my heart. Keep on writing. You have such a gift. I can’t wait to read more as you continue to grow in the community.
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Thank you so much for your encouragement! I had such a great time writing this! All I want is for my writing to touch others, even if it’s just one person <3
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mbd submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 1 week, 5 days agoThe Device: The Phone
Nikhil BagriThe past is gone,
The future untold.
Only the present,
Is in our control.Yet from dawn to dusk,
In my hand,
I hold the device,
The enabler of my imprisonment.“No more!” I tell myself.
“Not this year” I promise.
Yet the bright white keeps calling me back.
The notification pings,
And I forget I’m cutting back.When I wake up,
The first thi…read moreVoting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Nikhil, I love this. This part really spoke to me – This year,
If someone must meet me,
They must do it in person,
And must physically greet me.I think we all could use some time away from our phones. It’s so crazy how much of our lives are spent looking at a machine instead of looking at one another. Thank you for sharing this. It’s really…read more
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Omg! I’m not the only one facing this problem. I hate that my phone sometimes takes hold of me from doing certain things and plans. It’s so annoying but what I try to do to help myself is set alarms to do certain things even if that calls me to hang out with my friends at a certain time too. Amazing letter!
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It is amazing how you have crafted these words. I think you are currently describing how I have been feeling over the last few years. I have days where I just want to throw my phone away, but I know I can’t because it holds almost everything that I need. The struggle is real. Thank you for sharing your words with us. It is a never ending battle.…read more
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charthepoet submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 1 week, 6 days ago2023
CharmaineSomeone asked me about my goals for 2023.
It’s an easy answer, I just want to be a better me.
Continue improving me.Master the art of self-love, as I cut away the baggage that’s been holding me down. In 2023, I want to forgive myself. Now is not the time to focus on nonsense or on things that cause regrets.
Yes, some decisions were for the wor…read moreVoting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Charmaine, this is so sweet. Your daughter is so lucky to have you as a man. Don’t worry about the mistakes you made in the past. Mistakes are how we learn and grow and also they will make you more wise when giving advice to your daughter one day. You sound so strong and like an amazing momma. Keep shining and keep showing your daughter what it…read more
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I love your goals, Charmaine. They are so set and so reachable. I can’t wait to see what else you have in store even with how powerful your bond will be with your daughter. I believe that you will be the best most amazing mom ever. Your goal to spread love is just so sweet and amazing in a world filled with hate we need to show more love towards…read more
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Thank you so much…I’m so glad this poem resonates with you. My goal is to use my writing to spread love and create community one person at a time ❤️
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💜 WOW! Such beautiful, and so very real words. You are taking control and you are spreading love through your words. Motherhood is hard, yet rewarding for so many of us. You keep on, keeping on! You are such a beautiful soul and I am so happy to have crossed paths with you on your writing journey.
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emilylauren submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 1 week, 6 days agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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maryjones18 submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 2 weeks, 2 days agoThe girl I wish to be
- thie girl I wish to beHer days start with prayer.
Gratitude drips from her lips.
Her temple is mentally and physically undefiled.
Her most important relationships are well watered and flourishes even in tribulation.
She’s partnered with grace.
She’s partnered with purpose. Even the breaths she takes are
taken with intention.
She’s constantly gaining knowledge and peace…read moreVoting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Mary this is so beautiful. I love this line, “She’s partnered with grace.
She’s partnered with purpose. ”
I have a feeling that the girl you wish to be is the woman you already are!! Keep finding your light and being the light you know that you are. Thank you for being a part of our Unsealed family. <3 Lauren -
Mary, even if you are not the girl you wish to be now! It all starts with a purpose and a goal. Then you implement the plan and work on what you want to become. I feel as if you are even if I don’t know you developing into that girl. Filled with enough passion you wrote her and now you have her engraved in your mind.
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ksrovanggmail-com submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 2 weeks, 3 days agoHello 2023
Kelauryn RovangBetween the unwavering anxious thoughts and water drops I look into the sink and find my mind.
I look back to the moments where I wanted to run and I look at the moments that I stayed.
Standing in the unknown brought clarity and sanity to my screaming thoughts.
I speak to the moments of heart beating and the heart breaking and in…read more
Voting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Wow! The future is so bright! I love this line, “Like the ocean who does not obey the winds, I will walk with confidence and listen not to the words of others.” You are clearly so strong and so confident and with this attitude the world and all that you want is yours! I hope this year is bringing you all that hoped for and more! Thank you for…read more
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Wow. Your outcome and look are always great especially in your darkest moments. Keep that mindset it’s gonna get you so far and continue to be genuine to yourself because that’s all that matters.
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iamreinaashley submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 2 weeks, 3 days agoOn the same page
ReinaI know you’re listening
I know you are there
I know that you’re hiding,
but I can see you in the reflection on my screen as I write this down,
as the tears fall down your cheeks.
This year was painful wasn’t it,
this year broke you didn’t it,
this year things got out of your hands, didn’t they?
You broke up with friends, with your sister, a…read moreVoting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Reina, I am so sorry for all the hurt you endured last year. But it sounds like last year’s struggles helped you lay a solid foundation for this year’s goals. Keep healing. Keep forgiving. Keep growing. Keep chasing your dreams. And when it gets tough, read this poem. It will remind you that you are so strong – you are unbreakable. You got this!…read more
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You’ve been through a rough last year. But your motivation is what’s gonna help you get through goals this year. You have such a drive and adrenaline to you that no one can stop you from reaching your goals. Keep your head held high and keep fighting.
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khiawhitney submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 2 weeks, 3 days agoJanuary to July
KhiaJanuary is like a song that I’ve heard before.
Something my mom used to sing to me before bed.
I never liked the ending.
She’d always shut off the light and close the door.
I’ve always been afraid of the dark.
I hope I’ll grow up someday.
I hope I stop existing and start living.
July is like a movie I’ve watched before.
I’ve seen it hundreds of…read moreVoting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Khia, I have definitely felt this way before – like time keeps moving on but no new chapters are being written in my story. But what I realized is sometimes its hard to see our own story. It’s hard to see that the day-to-day things we do are leading us exactly where we are supposed to be. Your story is progressing, you just may not be able to…read more
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Khia, this is a great way to look at some moments in life instead of existing we just live. Don’t take advantage of every breath we take in life. But use that breath to breathe into other lives and who knows that other person can affect whether or not we are living or just existing.
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zandrea submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 2 weeks, 3 days agoVision Board
ZandreaIn 2023, if I accomplished everything my mind could envision
there’d be no need for a board.
A grounding foundation would not be necessary for my sticky notes to tack onto
because they’d be chanting courage at a soul that’s solely successful,
that’s not me.
I’m a soul that’s solely failure prone
and without this board
I am merely a message of…read moreVoting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Zandrea, You are worthy of all that you want in life. With or witho the vision board, I hope you are pursuing any and all dreams ! Never get discouraged. Allow your visions to adapt and change as you grow and evolve. And never every give up on whatever it is that makes you smile <3 Lauren
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I feel the same way about my vision board I feel as if without it I may not be able to see or reach my goals. I usually need a lot of schedules to get everything together and I feel like a vision board helps you set your goals and reach them by having it as a reminder in your sight.
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bgomez submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 2 weeks, 3 days agoOut of the Water
BrandiDear Self,
I know your happiness comes from creativity.
Your inspiration from the love, the pain and the stories around you.You used to have a rhythmic flow that produced often.
That opened eyes to truths and smiles to joy.
That formed tears through idle moments,
and embraced newly introductions.You used to hold your head high in…read more
Voting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Brandi this is very well written. I too understand the power of creativity. Creativity is such an amazing way to let go, cope, heal, and express pain. It helps make sense of life when we are confused. I truly believe creativity allows us to live life in a way that is free and limitless. Where there is creativity there is always hope. So keep…read more
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To find love and pain inside you instead of around. Is such a hard line because we tend to take others people’s pain and apply it to us even if we are not going through that pain itself. That can get us in a place of depression and not appropriate the things that apply to us. I feel though that that can be a great light too to let other people’s…read more
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malakkc submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 2 weeks, 3 days agoIntentions
MalakUpon reflection on a year gone by,
I notice that life is short and needs to fly.As time dissipates in the fog of winter
Storms that flog your optimism into a pauper,I lie back and wonder …
How do I make the following year better?My goals are set for my self-improvement,
Where I wish to feel no bereavement.Goals are so arbitrary, that, at…read more
Voting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Malak, what I love about your writing is that your heart always shines through. Life does fly by… keep being you. I hope you keep writing like you said you wanted to and keep succeeding. However, please know that you are already a huge success. Thank you for sharing this poem and being a part of our family. <3 Lauren
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Lauren, I humble me with your comments. I love the fact that you understand my perspectives and that my writing appeals to you. Everything I write comes from within as well as a from my perception of our society.
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I feel as though gh sometimes our goals can bring us down they can also bring us up at times. You said that you wanted to write more. I feel like that will help more with your goals just like how you are writing about your goals now. Your writing can always be an ongoing reminder of what you have on track of what you need to do.
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I totally agree with you, which is why your advice will be taken to heart. There are times though when you feel too empty to write. This creates a heaviness that can block me from expressing my feelings.
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preet submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 2 weeks, 3 days agoA New Hello
PreetTo the years I have lost to trauma and abuse,
To the guilt of failure and the mental battles I lose,
To the cruelty of lovers in whom I thought my heart lied
I bid you GoodbyeTo the secrets I thought would shame me,
To the silence I gave to those that blamed me,
To the pain I thought I needed to hide,
I bid you goodbyeTo the need to please…read more
Voting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Preet, I love this! Keep saying goodbye to the negativity in your life and saying hello to the new you and all the wonderful things that come with that. Great things are ahead. Embrace it! Thank you for sharing your poem and allowing your truth to inspire others. <3 Lauren
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We all need this to let go of past negativity because sometimes we tend to bring bad old year habits into the new year. What helps stop that from happening is turning over a new leaf a new page. A fresh page where you can let go of past goals that you didn’t finish and are stressed about and turn them into fresh goals that are implemented into a s…read more
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jejune06 submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 2 weeks, 3 days agoNew Year's Sun
Jejune EbbsThe snow may come soon
and conceal all that it touches
but like the flowers
that lay buried beneath
I want to be seenI’ve moved here from a long way
from a place I couldn’t call home
I was not seen there or heard from
I was truly alone
But with snow comes spring
and a horizon of blooming
moments and chance
It’s there I will rise out…read moreVoting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Jejune, This is such a beautiful poem. I hear you and I see you! Keep pushing through any hurt and any pain. Keep expressing yourself. You will find that life is always worth the fight. There is always good after bad. And love after pain. Keep being you. Dance your way through this rollercoaster we call life. The world doesn’t need to shine a…read more
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I loved how you compared the year before to a cold dark time of pain and how you are comparing this year to a ray of sunshine. You’ve got it this year. Your going to be a bwam of light that shines on your goals and shine on other people. Great letter!
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maditrout submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 2 weeks, 3 days agoPhosphorescent
Madi TroutThe last few years have felt like a blurr, but now it feels like things are glowing 🙂
It’s winter but
The future is
emitting light.
It’s dark outside
but that’s mostly because
we live mostly at night.
Vibe; phosphorescent
not real yet
but I feel its essence.
My future, future self
is reminiscent.
She thinks about the year
that she hoped…read moreVoting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Madi, this is so well written. Congratulations on building a home. That is so exciting! It’s sounds like you not only laid the bricks for a beautiful home but also a beautiful year and life. Thank you for sharing this creative, insightful and inspiring poem. And thank you for being a part of our Unsealed family. <3 Lauren
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Your Poem is so amazing Madi. I love the line where you said The year that she received exactly
what she wanted;
it all gradually came to me
it was never chased, never hunted.You just knew that your dream wasn’t just a dream and that it would come gradually. You didn’t stress about what you didn’t have any control over but you only did what you…read more
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spearfan_ submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 2 weeks, 3 days agoDear 2023
NaomiMy goals for this year is to be more focused on my dreams. I spent so many years of my life in fear of what people would think about me and the things I did. I didn’t even realize that I wanted their validation.
I always knew I had something in me, always being aware of my gifts. But the environment in which I was in wasn’t favorable to my gro…read more
Voting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Naomi, I think at some point in our lives we all look for validation from other people. But the only validation we really ever need is from ourselves. Keep being you! Follow your dreams, write and travel. Keep falling in love with you because YOU are amazing ! <3 Lauren
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Naomi, You go for living out your dreams and never listen to anyone else. Yes, you’ve lived your life in fear for a few years but from that fear, you’ve learned to grow and chase your dream by not caring about what others say. One thing is that they may say things but with your motivation, they can’t stop you.
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michaelrenee11 submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 2 weeks, 5 days agoM.O: My letter thanking the Me in 2023
Michael GilesDear,
My most divine and optimized being I am so grateful for
You
Each and every day
Breaking free from The Chaos The Heart Ache
and
The Social Restraints
Staying true to
Your
Divine ethereal youth
I am so very proud of
You
I am proud of
Your
Bravery
Your
Ability to choose
You
While addressing the trauma
Voting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Michael – You are SO strong and courageous. YOu should be so proud for addressing your pain and expressing yourself and choosing to embrace the Goddess that you are! Keep growing. Keep writing. Keep evolving. And keep pursuing your greatness. You are right. You are here to do something so big and so great. Never lose sight of that. And thank you…read more
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Sometimes in life when there aren’t people thanking us and even with people having us we have to always thank ourselves. We tend to accomplish things but not acknowledge the goals we did and sit down and think to ourselves about the journey it took to reach that goal.
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srishti submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 2 weeks, 5 days agoA letter to myself about the goals for new year
SrishtiDear Srishti,
Welcoming 2023 with cheerful smile and lot of fantasies and I want them to come true this year. My goals are not so big, the first and foremost goal is to take good care of my family and myself so that I can put all my focus on other goals.I want to satisfy all my desires and would like to explore new places in India and love to…read more
Voting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Srishti! I love your goals. Writing is a great way to express and empower yourself. There is science that backs it up with research. Also, traveling is an amazing idea. I hear Kerala is a cool place in India to visit! I want to check it out some day myself. How’s the short story coming along? Don’t ever stop writing. Writing will help you find…read more
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That’s so cool. I myself always wanted to travel to different places and India is one of the places. Your letter is amazing by the way! Can’t wait to hear more stories of you living out your travel goals this year.
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lahmoon_ submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or a letter to yourself about your goals for the new year 2 weeks, 5 days agoI choose me
LunaMaybe I just need you to hold me
A single kiss on my forehead
slow strokes through my scalp make me feel wanted
make me feel loved
oh, to feel loved
To feel needed
To feel useful to you
I got to protect my peace so I won’t feel like I’m being used
My kindness often abused
taken for granted
I wanted to explain to you my goals for us
but now I’m…read moreVoting is open!
Voting ends April 15, 2023 3:59am
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Luna, This is so incredibly powerful and it is a testament to your power! I love love love this part: “This year I vow to be different
making it my mission to give me the love that I’ve been missing.” Set your boundaries. Protect yourself from negativity and love yourself the way you’d love someone you truly care about. And you are right – G…read more -
Wow, Self-love is where it is at. Sometimes we have to fulfill the love that we want to receive from others ourselves. No one on this earth can understand or comprehend the love that is needed for ourselves. I feel though that the one entity who can comprehend that is God to be honest. Some people love in ways that we didn’t understand or want.…read more
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