☕ Coffee on the Rabbit Trail | Off Topic, On Purpose Blog Series

Post 07: “A Letter to My Past Self”

Hey, younger me.

I know you’re trying so hard to be okay.
Trying to keep everyone happy.
Trying to stay small so you don’t take up too much space.
Trying to figure out who you are — and worrying you’re already behind.

I want to tell you something that would've changed everything if you'd heard it back then:

You don’t have to earn love.
Not with perfection. Not with grades. Not with good behavior or over-explaining or disappearing when things get tense.

Love isn’t a prize for who works the hardest to deserve it.
It’s something you were always worthy of — just by being you.

I know you think people will leave if you speak up.
I know you think messing up makes you bad.
I know you get quiet when you’re scared, and loud when you’re trying to prove you’re okay.
I see it all.
And I still love you.

You are not too sensitive.
You are not too emotional.
You are not too much.

You are exactly what this world needs more of — tenderness, curiosity, empathy.

And guess what?

It all gets lighter.
The world doesn’t become perfect, but you grow stronger.
You start saying “no.”
You stop chasing people who can’t hold you.
You start healing, even when it hurts.

And you learn, finally, that you are allowed to take up space.
To rest.
To want more.
To not have it all together.
To let people see you without makeup — emotionally or otherwise.

I know you don’t believe it yet, but you’re going to be okay.
Not fake okay.
Real okay.

The kind where you breathe deeper.
Laugh easier.
And wake up one day realizing: I made it through.

I’m proud of you. I love you. I’ve got you now.

— Me 💛