Remember why you’re doing this.
You, at your core, love external validation. And this? This is a way to give it to yourself. In the writing and the reading of these notes. (Yes, this is meta; deal with it. Manage your awkwardness.)
You’re building up your fleshy heart, cutting your sweet softness with bravery. (You feel like you are not brave, but don’t worry—maybe one day you will be.)
When you read these notes, may it be a practice in softening. An opportunity to hear your own voice with kindness and a waterfall of self-forgiveness. You were younger when you wrote these words; there will always be something you would have done differently. Move on. Self-erosion is not worth your time.
Remember you are doing this, too, for others (hi friends I love you). A note to yourself that acknowledges your need for self-accountability. That as soon as one person lets a gummy smile escape from their serious reading face, you must continue. May your need for attention be what helps drive your healing. It’s 2020. You are a young (ish) person on the internet. Lean into it.
Or maybe you never send this (you probably do). Maybe your eyes have grown more tired, and more tender than you thought they would and you are reading this on your front porch in the acceptance of a setting sun. You are welcome here. Each one of you, every version of you—you are all welcome here.
Next Steps: Drink a glass of water, imagine how cool you’ll look with grey hair, and laugh at something dumb you did in your past (remember your coffee shop blog? Uh oh!)