Dear younger self…

Do you ever think about the girl you used to be? I do. In the past, when I thought about my younger self, I had feelings of disgust. I felt shame, embarrassment, and self-hatred. All of those emotions were the effect of years of abuse and emotional trauma. It’s difficult to see yourself as something other than a trauma survivor, but it’s not impossible. 

Let’s do an exercise! It may be uncomfortable, but we grow and become healthier when we step outside of our comfort zone. It’s so easy to bash ourselves and think negatively of ourselves, but let’s flip the script. I want you to take out a sheet of paper or your journal and write a letter of gratitude to your younger self. What ways can you honor yourself? It doesn’t have to be a long letter, just a few sentences or a couple of paragraphs. 

I’ll share my letter with you.  

Dear younger self,

I know life has been hard, and you endured much trauma. But today, I honor you for being strong and vulnerable at the same time. You were strong enough to confront the trauma and brave enough to be real, raw, and honest about your feelings. Your courage has inspired me to help others that have experienced sexual violence. It’s incredible to me that by the grace of God, you were able to forgive the people that molested and raped you. I honor you for being willing to let go of the hate, bitterness, and anger that was in your heart. I love that you have a zeal for life, and most of the time, you see the glass half full. Thank you for all the years of journaling and praying, even when you didn’t want to. 

Thank you for never giving up. I respect you, and I love you. There is no other person I would rather be. You are beautiful, and I love your personality. One of the best decisions you made was to stop putting chemicals in your hair and allowing your natural hair to glorify God, lol. I love that you stopped hiding behind the veil of shame and self-hatred. 

Please accept this letter of gratitude with humility and grace. Continue to grow into the person that God has created you to be because you are more than a trauma survivor. 

Now, your turn!

I pray that you will take the time to love yourself and offer sweet words of kindness. I have learned that if I don’t pour into me, I won’t have anything to give to you from the overflow. Our bodies have been through a lot, and you don’t have to be embarrassed to honor yourself. On days when you don’t feel good about yourself, I encourage you to refer back to your letter and remind yourself that you are a fantastic person. We are not accepting ourselves despite the trauma, but because God’s word says:

13 For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV)

I would love to read your letter of gratitude to your younger self. If you feel comfortable sharing, please email me at unveiledfacesmovement@gmail.com. 

I will not share your letter or personal information.

Be blessed! God loves you.