A letter to myself…

So this post will be a little different, I won’t be offended if you choose to skip reading this one at all. It’s probably a little self-indulgent, but I wrote myself a letter. A letter so that I could read and re-read all of the things I wanted to tell myself but up until now haven’t (not in a coherent way anyway).

Before I get to my letter, if you do read it, a massive thank you, if you don’t read it, that’s ok too. If you were to write yourself a letter, what would you say to yourself?

 

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Dear Kimberley

We are two weeks into 2017 and this year you will turn 29. People will say you are almost 30. It sounds a scary number, but that’s all it is… a number. Don’t be scared, embrace turning a year older, being wiser, having another year of wonderful memories and experiences. Don’t let it change you. Just keep being you.

Reflect often. Look back at everything you have achieved and be proud. Don’t ever doubt yourself; you are an intelligent, funny, kind-hearted young woman. You have a determination within you that you never knew was there. You are strong in mind and body. Your experiences have made you into the person you are today.

Remember that it is ok to feel sad, angry, disappointed, exhausted, but don’t let these feelings define you. Smile often; share your smiles with everyone. Find what makes you happy, not what makes others happy, and do it often. Be positive, life has its up and down, but life is good and full of potential.

Be kind to yourself. It is so easy to pick faults with how you look and how you are. But you are unique, individual and special. You are your own kind of beautiful. Embrace your imperfections, nobody is perfect, they make you who you are.

Be kind, thoughtful and caring. You have lots of wonderful friends, make sure you let them know often just how much they mean to you. Make memories with them, laugh with them, share your life with them.

Try new things, challenge yourself, take a chance once in a while. Make a list of things you would like to do, no matter how silly or small, and tick them off one by one. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t… remember when you started to run and people thought you were crazy wanting to do a half marathon. You did it, in fact you have done 4. Nobody else did it for you, your strength and determination along with your training helped you achieve what you set your mind to. Running may have changed your life, but the possibility and desire was always within you. It was just waiting for the right time. You changed your life by having the courage and the will to do something out of character, to do something different, to challenge yourself, to be the best version of you.

People will say unkind things, people will try to hurt you, make you cry, undermine you. That isn’t a reflection on you, but it does say a lot about their character. Try your best to ignore them. Use their words and comments to fuel your determination, your strength and your sheer bloodymindedness to do what they say you couldn’t do, to be what they say you couldn’t be, to be the strong girl you are.

People will compliment you, people will say lovely, kind things that will surprise you, and make you emotional. Remember their words when you need them most. They may never know the impact that their words have on you but they can change how you see yourself, how your day has been, how you feel.

Life doesn’t always turn out as you planned, but that isn’t to say that this isn’t what was planned for you all along. Maybe you needed to have these experiences, to make you into the person you are today. Maybe you were always destined to live this life, to meet the people you have. Embrace everything life has to offer, even if it isn’t what you had planned. You may not be exactly where you want to be at this stage of life, but maybe, just maybe you are exactly where you are meant to be.

Take time for yourself. It’s ok to do that. Pamper yourself, read a book, watch a film, go for a walk, go to the rugby, do things you enjoy, things you love, things that make you happy. Don’t feel that you have to do things just because everyone else is doing it. You have a choice, you always have a choice. And you have the right to do what is best for you. Nobody knows what that is more than you.

Try not to compare yourself to other people. You will always find people who are xxxxx-er than you, but they are not you. Know that YOU are enough. You are cared for, loved and thought of often.

Share your smile and heart with the world.

Love always

Kimberley