sometime ago while browsing in a bookstore i came across this book, what i know: letters to my younger self. it is a collection of letters written by admirable women to themselves if somehow someway they could speak with themselves in the full knowledge and wisdom of what they know now. this struck me as a darling idea. boy if we can share some of the lessons learned and insights gained in the present with ourselves say fifteen twenty years ago.
the book and the idea stayed with me and i finally picked it up today not only with the idea of indulging in the wisdom of these ladies, but also with the idea of writing a few letters to myself, so i'll begin that tomorrow. while i'm in the midst of writing and seeing what this might look like, along the way... please feel free to add your ideas to this project. are there somethings that you could share with your twenty year old self? i'm already thinking along the lines of advising myself when i was 19/20 to focus. and too to remind myself to have fun and not worry so much. already the ideas are circling so we'll see what that looks like.
i had a best friend for about thirty years, we grew up together. i said to him once that i love the idea that he has known me in all my stages thus far. he has known me as a girl, he knew me when i was 16, when i was 26 and ahem... on and on... i'm already getting sentimental in connection to loving myself and imagining looking into the eyes of the girl i was when i was 19 years old. can you imagine? what are you thinking about dear you when you were 19, or the age you wish to speak to yourself at? love letters to ourselves.
6 comments:
I saw a group of adolescent girls the other day and I had the strongest impulse( which I resisted). I wanted to go up and tell them how beautiful they are and not to settle for less and not to sacrifice themselves to be liked and to be gentle with their heart and to celebrate how amazingly beautiful they are. I didn't do it because if I did they would have thought I was crazy. That said, I wish someone had told me that when I was 15.xoxo
What a titillating idea! It got me thinking right away... I'd say to the 20-year old me to believe more in myself and in my talents and capacities. I'd encourage myself to follow my interests and to be confident. Even more.
Looking back those fifteen years... and the total is largely positive. I have no serious regrets. I could have done some things or been more adventurous - but I'm happy, all in all, and think that I have also stretched the envelope as far as it felt reasonable at that time. And it has felt good, and sometimes bad, but only for a season. Most importantly, it has felt.
Oh I love the idea of writing letters to my younger self. Got to go get that book too, and can't wait to read some of those letters to yourself.
dear Belette, you know i so often think the same thing. teenage girls are incredibly precious. and i too wish quietly that they only knew. i remember when i was 14 a lady said to me how she thought i was so pretty. i had no idea what she was talking about. i say this to say, in connection i think and wish that teenage girls were treated with a kindness, regard and love so that they will know their worth. if someone says it, and it not their reality, it might not be taken in. when i went to north carolina a met a 17 year old beautiful girl who was adored and guided by her parents in a beautiful way. and it shows in her beauty inside and out, as well as her confidence. i think this is key. i really appreciate your comment as i too was thinking along the same lines. maybe i will write a letter about this...
Hi Susu, it's wonderful to read when you write that you are happy and have few regrets. and in connection that you would encourage your twenty year old self to believe in yourself even more. this seems to point to the idea that you have made some really good choices that have yielded a fine degree of happiness. with the idea to keep going in this good direction and not to be afraid to take a few more steps further. how encouraging. i know for myself when what seemed right for me presented itself i would allow myself to be talked out of it. i am choosing different actions now. keep going in your good way, it's wonderful!
hi Angie, let me know what you think of the book when you get it. the letters are short and very interesting. it is a cool idea isn't it? with what we know now, we can see the ways in which we've experienced and learned. that's what it's about isn't it...
I loved what you wrote about teenage girls. I have the same feelings and I view myself at that age with a kinder eye now. I would tell my younger self to stop being so darn practical and serious all the time and focus a bit more on doing things I loved to do!
hi annkent, i see you can relate to what we've been saying about teenage girls too. i guess indeed it is the gift of maturing and learning. through these comments in general i am getting a sense of relief as i learn that we all have things that we wish we knew when we were girls. time is kind, so i look forward to us all acting on what we've learned. i think these thoughts on what we've learned are incredibly beneficial.
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