In June of 2009, I gave myself a powerful gift. Before leaving my classroom for the summer, I pulled out a box of notecards from my desk and wrote myself ten notes. My lessons were organized in folders labeled by month, so I dropped one notecard inside each monthly folder.
During the next school year (my final year of teaching), I was greeted at the beginning of each month by a love letter from myself. It was magical. I was blown away by how timely and poignant each note was. I had honestly forgotten what I had written back in June, and so each note was a sweet surprise that spoke to me deeply.
Those notes were such a delight, that I decided to give myself that gift again. I took time this past Wednesday to write twelve notes for myself. I didn't over think it or make it some kind of perfectionist head trip. I used blank notecards that were already in my home office drawer, and I decorated each one with pretty pictures I quickly clipped from magazines. I wrote the notes straight from my heart and didn't worry about sounding smart or wise. It took less than an hour.
I'll open my first note in October, and I can't wait to see how this simple act of self-care will nurture me and carry me through another year.
I invite you to carve out a small space of time and give yourself a similar gift. You can take my idea just as it is, or riff on it a bit and make it your own.
Plant the seed and watch how a deliberate act of self love can heal and transform your life.
If you liked this, you may also like:
- Boxed In — Guest Post by Susan Scofield “My body is the only box I belong in. But you like...
- How to Love Food photo courtesy of D. Sharon Pruitt Lots of people say...
- Back to School Tis the season of “back to school.” This is the...
- Love “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
I really love this idea. It’s amazing how such seemingly small, simple acts of self-care can have such a huge impact on our lives.
Hey Katie! It’s great to have you here! So true, isn’t it? Sometimes the simplest acts have the greatest power.
P.S. LOVED your post hunger cues.
Thanks, Joy! I can’t believe I’m just now finding your blog! I’ll definitely be coming back and checking in regularly.
I love this idea! So simple, but really beautiful.
Thanks, baby.
Hugs to you.
What a beautiful idea. I’m going to give it a shot. I have these beautiful notecards I’ve been saving to use. Why not on myself?
Ashley @ Nourishing the Soul´s last [type] ..People– places– things — Identifying triggers
Hey sweet Ashley! Happy Friday! And yes M’AM — use those beautiful cards on YOU! Let me know how it goes.
I love this idea, Joy! Sooo positive and uplifting. I’ve actually never written a letter to myself. I’m going to give it a try.
Margarita Tartakovsky´s last [type] ..Body Image & Being Brave
Yeah! You’re here! My attempt to lure your awesome self on over here worked! Such a great post on your blog today, by the way. I’m loving getting to know so many cool people in the intuitive eating/body love community! XO!
Hehe..It did! I’m sorry I never stopped by sooner. Your blog is so positive. I love it! I love discovering all these fantastic blogs, too. It’s so wonderful to know that so many people are spreading such important messages.
And thank you so much for your sweet words. Wow, they mean a lot. Seriously.
Margarita Tartakovsky´s last [type] ..Body Image & Being Brave
Wow.… I love this ideal:) Thanks Joy! I am going to give it a try, I like it.
YEAH! Please let me know how it goes! Have a great weekend, Teresa, my dear.
Hey, Joy! I hope you are well! I used to write a letter to myself every New Year’s Eve to be saved for the following year. What a great idea to do this for every month! I think I have a weekend project… And the first of September is just around the corner.
I so appreciate your positive view of life and your sincerity in offering ways to love yourself/ourselves more deeply.
take care,
amy
Hey Amy. Thanks for this lovely comment. I’d love to hear how this goes for you if you decide to do it. XO!
Joy — this is adorable! I’m actually going to do this today, I think. It kinda reminds me of something one of my elementary school teachers did, where she had us write a letter to ourselves & sent it to us like 5 years later. TOO CUTE FOR WORDS.
Anyway, thanks for the inspiration!
xoxo
You’re welcome, my dear! Have fun with it if you decide to do it! Lemme know how it goes!
What a wonderful idea! I’m so glad you linked to this on twitter today. As much as I like this idea for me, I think it will also be a lovely thing to send my daughter to college with — a note for each month. I think I’ll write them in June, right around the time she graduates. Happy new year, dear.
Happy New Year, baby! Oh yes, this will be a WONDERFUL thing to do for your daughter. Beautiful.