I don’t know if anyone has told you lately, but I’m proud of you. I’m proud of you if you’re kicking ass and taking names…but I’m also proud of you if you’re slogging through the days, or white-knuckling in anxiety…or if you can’t even get out of bed.

You’re here. You’re breathing. You’re dealing with whatever life throws your way in the best way you can. And it honestly doesn’t matter if your kitchen is filthy and your bed hasn’t been changed in god knows how long, or if you’re wearing last week’s PJs and haven’t showered in…well you get the idea.

No matter what, I’m proud of you. You’re worthy of love and appreciation, period. 

So if you’re kicking ass, tell yourself “darn right, you’re proud of me, I’m awesome” and if you’re struggling, try to give yourself some compassion. It’s ok to struggle. It’s ok to fail. It’s ok to want to hide forever. Just be kind to yourself. See what shifts for you.

I’m here. I love you. You’re not alone.

Me

When was the last time you truly looked around you?. 

Take a moment now. Look at the textures, colours, and shapes that surround you. What do you see?

Take a deep breath in. What do you smell?

Be still now. What do you hear?

Stretch out your hand and touch something—what does it feel like?

Even just for a minute, appreciate the miracle of your existence. The fact that you’re here and you’re you is astonishing. You and your life are one of a kind.

I’m so glad you exist.

Love, Me

You are bigger than the stories you tell yourself. You are smarter and kinder, more resilient, and infinitely more capable. 

Next time you catch yourself silently criticizing yourself, telling yourself you’re not worthy or capable or strong enough—or whatever other story your brain cooks up, stop. Just notice what you’re doing.

Then remind yourself that you are not these stories…because you’re really not. 

Imagine what you would say to a friend in your situation, whatever it happens to be. You would tell them they’re wonderful and brilliant. You’d say that no matter what they’re going through they can handle it, that you have complete faith in their abilities, and that you’ll always be there for them. 

Focus on that story. Consciously choose it for yourself. Allow it to replace the old ones. It can be just as true for you as it is for someone else. 

Breathe. 

Onward.

Love, me

Breathe. Take a deep, slow inhale through your nose. Let it out as slowly as you can, through pursed lips.

Do it again. In……..out……….

And one more time. In……….out………….

No matter what’s going on today, no matter how hard it is, just remember these two things:

You’re alive and breathing.

And.

Somebody loves you.

Love,

Me

Please allow yourself to love what you love. Don’t weigh yourself down with shoulds or shame. Stop having guilty pleasures and just have pleasures.

Find the things that you love in this world and hold them tight. Revel in them. Listen to the music, watch the shows, make the crafts, wear the clothes, collect the things that make people scratch their heads.

This is your one precious life. Find the people who see your “guilty pleasure” and your weirdness and go “YES! I LOVE IT! Tell me all about it!”

I love you and whatever weirdness you’re ashamed of.

Me

The world is big and beautiful and full of possibility, if you only open your eyes to it. It’s so easy to hunker down and stay small and comfortable, but what if you unfurl just a little bit? What new perspectives will you see?

I know it can be scary. I know that life feels fine and safe in your box (most of the time).

But just…what if?

Just take a slightly deeper breath. Just relax your grip a tiny bit. Just poke your head out a little way and take a peek. See what happens next.

You can do it. I’m here. I’m with you.

Love, Me

I see you. I see your joys and sorrows, your triumphs and your pain. I see you move through the days and question your worth. I see your moments of victory. I see your failures. And I want you to know that no matter what happens, you are precious and rare and very, very loved.

You feel like you’re not good enough, like you could be better. I’m here to tell you that you are worthy of love and care, just as you are.

You feel like you’re broken. I’m here to tell you that you’re beautiful.

You feel like the world is hard. I’m here to tell you that life can be magical in ways that you will never expect.

Let these words wash over you. You are a work in progress like everyone else, but you are also perfect and wonderful just as you are, imperfections and fears and weaknesses and all.

Be gentle with you, today and every day. Allow yourself to soften. Be kind to yourself the way you’re kind to others. It’s the way forward. And you don’t have to walk it alone.

I’m here. I’ve got you. I love you.

See you soon,

Me

It will not always feel safe,
This learning and relearning of your own abilities
This reexamining of beliefs
This pushing of envelopes
This breaking through enclosing walls.

You will shiver.

You will doubt.

You will want to run home.

Back behind walls of safety.

This walk to the edge will not
Feel good, safe, or comfortable,
But there is no faster way to learn.
There is no other way to grow.

So step out.
Leave your home base
Your comfort zone
Your cocoon

Acknowledge the fear and discomfort

But step out all the same.

With each step you take,
Your world expands
Your caterpillar mind will
Strain to comprehend the unbounded vastness of the sky.

Step out.

Step…step…step.

Unfurl your wings.

Fly.