Dear past me,

I want to start by saying, I forgive you. For so long, I blamed you for everything that went wrong, but I realize now that wasn’t fair. You did your best with what you had, and you tried to navigate life with a strength I didn’t always understand. You made choices based on what you knew, and I’m sorry for holding that against you.

I know it wasn’t easy. I know you felt lost, like you weren’t safe, and like your feelings didn’t matter. You felt small and unheard, and I can’t imagine how difficult that was. The world didn’t always treat you kindly, and sometimes it felt like you didn’t have a voice, or even the freedom to just be yourself. But I know you did everything you could to survive.

There were times when life felt too heavy, and I know you questioned everything, even your own worth. But even in those dark moments, you kept going. Maybe it wasn’t always the best, but you kept pushing forward. You did what you thought was best at the time, and that’s okay. You didn’t have the answers, but you were doing the best you could with the circumstances you faced.

And I see how far you’ve come. Four years ago, you made a choice. You chose yourself. It was scary, but it was the best decision you ever made. You walked away from the toxic patterns and relationships that were holding you back. You started fresh, and even though it was tough, you grew. You went back to school, got a promotion, bought a car, and lived on your own for the first time. You found strength and resilience you didn’t know you had.

Then, when the world changed, and the pandemic hit, you faced new challenges. It wasn’t easy. You struggled, felt isolated, and found yourself slipping back into old habits. But you didn’t let that define you. You took control again. You found new ways to heal—through hiking, running, journaling, and discovering passions that helped you reconnect with yourself.

You found balance. You found love again, not just with others, but with yourself. You learned how to put yourself first, how to create a life that was truly your own. Even on the bad days, you found the strength to keep going.

I want you to know that I see you. I see the pain, the struggles, the mistakes—but I also see the strength, the growth, and the courage you showed. I am proud of you. You’ve come so far, and I am here today because of you.

Now, I’m writing this as your future self—confident, yet vulnerable, knowing that I am still learning, still growing. I still have bad days, but I know how to handle them better now. I’ve learned to take care of myself, to trust in my journey, and to know that no matter what, I am worthy of love and happiness.

Thank you for everything, even the hard parts. I no longer blame you because I see how far you’ve brought me. You’ve been through so much, and you made it through. I’m still here because of you, and I will keep fighting. You’ve given me the strength to keep moving forward.

Sincerely,
Your grateful and worthy future self