How to Write a Letter to the Past You plus Tips to help heal from the past(Journal Topic)

November 18, 2020

This month as we come into the holiday season I want you to really get into thinking about what have you learned so far?

This could simply be within this month, year, five years, or throughout your life. It’s good to have a time for self-reflection where you can sit and think about what you have overcome. It doesn’t have to be deep but beginning to think of situations as

What can I learn from this situation?

What lessons have I learned? vs.

Why is this happening to me mindset? can make a whirl of difference.

TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND

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1. Think about how far back you want to go. It could be months, years or whole life do what works for you at the moment.

2. Write out what comes up without stopping and thinking if you mess up. Write out the lessons you learned and how do you see how your past self made who you are today. Remember nobody is checking this and grading you on it. It’s simply you connecting with yourself and finding out what lessons you have learned

3. If this is still hard for you to do, sometimes taking yourself out of the first person helps. Think about writing about yourself in the third person as if you’re telling someone your best or closest friend your story.

4. Be Honest With You. Have you had the feeling where you’re writing and it feels more of what you wish how things could be more than what they actually are? We’re not doing that with this one. I want you to come out on this page. So no stopping to think you messed up or that it doesn’t flow that’s okay it’s about you showing fully as yourself out on paper.

NOW GET READY!!

WRITE!!

Once you’re done come back here for review

REVIEW

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ACCEPTANCE

I want to first remind you that it’s okay to get to the place where you can accept what has happened.

If you are not in that place this is okay.

There is no right or wrong way to go about this. I would want the goal to be in a place of acceptance of what has happened or the decision that was made and learning to move on from it. If this is a little more challenging for you to feel free to contact me or book an appointment to discuss further.

STAY WITH YOUR EMOTIONS

Remember you are a human who is meant to feel. There will be times when you write this or after you write when emotions will begin to come up.

This is okay

Allow yourself to have the space for yourself for the emotions to come up.

Yes, feelings are so uncomfortable at times especially the ones we think are negative (anxiety, fear, overwhelm or worry) but they do not hurt. Allow for the emotion to work it’s a way through you.

BREATHE

As it passes to keep your body as relaxed as possible. This is something I teach the individuals I work with to understand that it’s okay to be in the moment and not run from it.

COMPASSION

Have compassion for yourself when writing a letter like this.

Understand that you did the best that you could during that moment in time. I understand that it does sound easier than it actually is. You are not alone in feeling this way I have groups and individual sessions that can help with this. I want you to treat yourself like you would your closest friend or family member.

It’s interesting how you treat others better than you treat yourself. What something kind you can do for yourself right now?

I want to hear how did this journal entry go for you?