Several years ago I wrote a letter to my Inner Child. I typed it up in a local cafe while I sipped a latte in less than an hour. By the time I was a few sentences in, I found myself in tears. Despite being in a public place, I kept writing.
The letter poured out of me. Writing it was cathartic and affirming.
Here’s that letter:
Beautiful, wise, loving girl. You are not alone, although it feels that way often. I am here with you. I have always been a part of you, as your wiser, older inner voice, just as you, my sweet loving child, have always been and always will be a part of me.
I know you are struggling to relate to friends and family. I know that no one seems to understand you. I know that you are full of doubts about your own worth, your value, your specialness and your gifts.
None of that is your fault.
You came into this world expecting to be adored, protected, and guided. And that which you expected, you did not receive. These are profound losses, my darling, and you can sense that pain in the tears you cry. I know the tears don’t make sense to you now but know that you are doing deep work when you cry. You are grieving. And you are honoring your gift of feeling deeply.
Now, let’s get back to your gifts. I want you to read this often, to remind yourself of Who You Really Are:
You are compassionate, creative, and curious. Your wonder about people and the mind will lead you on the quest of a lifetime: you will become a student and teacher of the psyche and you will become a powerful healer. First for yourself, and then for others.
Your courage and adventurous spirit will take you everywhere you want to go. You will travel to the depths of the soul and you will experience different places and ways of living. All of which will inform your own choices about how to live well.
Your capacity to listen deeply and pay attention will bestow upon you the gifts of insight and intuition – once you learn to use them. First you will ignore this gift and you will suffer, but you will learn. Stay patient with yourself as you go through these trials. Remember that suffering leads to compassion. The hard times are growing you up.
You have the capacity to be really honest and your willingness to be vulnerable will draw people to you. Your bravery will inspire others and your authenticity will teach them how to show up and be more present and loving with themselves.
Remember your connection to the earth, the seasons and the cycles of nature. You are that. Remember your inherent goodness. You are not selfish, you are not a bad girl, and you haven’t done anything wrong. You are a child and there is so much to learn. Even when they are harsh with you, try and be gentle with yourself. You are a gift to this world. I am so grateful to get to be an intimate witnessing presence in your life. I cherish you immensely and I love you unconditionally.
With profound respect, adoration and admiration – Me
This letter was originally published in the 2022 collection Letters to My Younger Self by For Women Who Roar.
So here is my invitation for you, dear reader. Write a letter to your Inner Child. Tell her what you know, what she needs to know, what you admire in her. Tell her how important she is and what her unique gifts are. Shine the warm and comforting light of your loving heart straight into her.