"What I Know Now: Letters to My Younger Self"
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Florida
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"What I Know Now: Letters to My Younger Self"
If you could send a letter back through time to your younger self, what would the letter say?
The author of this book (Ellyn Spragins) challenged 40 famous women with this question & then published the results as a book of essays. I just finished reading it & I found it highly inspiring! I was as moved by the commonalities in their struggles as I was the unique way they each worded their "advice".
Even though it's not a recovery-specific piece, I think I'm going to tackle this question & write my own essay in my journal. It feels like a great exercise if you want to address your Inner child if nothing else - although I definitely see the potential for it to be a cathartic experience no matter what.
It's been interesting just trying to nail down exactly what age/version of myself I'd like to "talk to"!
The author of this book (Ellyn Spragins) challenged 40 famous women with this question & then published the results as a book of essays. I just finished reading it & I found it highly inspiring! I was as moved by the commonalities in their struggles as I was the unique way they each worded their "advice".
Even though it's not a recovery-specific piece, I think I'm going to tackle this question & write my own essay in my journal. It feels like a great exercise if you want to address your Inner child if nothing else - although I definitely see the potential for it to be a cathartic experience no matter what.
It's been interesting just trying to nail down exactly what age/version of myself I'd like to "talk to"!
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 11,481
Just put this on hold at the library, AND I'm loading up my "saved list" w/recordings of some of the many, many books I've got listed under the "recovery" heading. If I don't have as much time to read as I used to, I can certainly get on w/listening to as much as is available on CD...
Thanks!
Thanks!
aka Nesty
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Northern Vt.
Posts: 1,554
As I open this very tattered & crumpled old piece of paper I found (around age six ) It would have to be more simple wording to understand . Maybe if I was lucky enough I could get an adult read it ...
Self : Life is going to be rough being raised with alcoholic parents . Don't be So afraid , they love you more then life itself . The beast of alcohol will take them down a long road . You'll make it through - That you can believe - with a few scar's & memories that will stay with you forever.
Don't worry little girl the hurt & pain you go through will only make you stronger as an adult . Heed my Warning don't Ever pick up a drink , for you will follow the same path .....
Self : Life is going to be rough being raised with alcoholic parents . Don't be So afraid , they love you more then life itself . The beast of alcohol will take them down a long road . You'll make it through - That you can believe - with a few scar's & memories that will stay with you forever.
Don't worry little girl the hurt & pain you go through will only make you stronger as an adult . Heed my Warning don't Ever pick up a drink , for you will follow the same path .....
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Join Date: Jun 2011
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Firesprite-
I had a therapist tell me once that depending on the age of the "girl" you want to write to, sometimes writing with your non-dominant hand can help you to access that young time better.
I have found it to be true. Great idea.
I had a therapist tell me once that depending on the age of the "girl" you want to write to, sometimes writing with your non-dominant hand can help you to access that young time better.
I have found it to be true. Great idea.
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: My mind wanders a lot, but I try to stay in the present.
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I'd write this to my 18 year old self:
Dear Karma,
Stop trying to find loopholes in everything your mom and dad try to tell you. They're right. They're always right. And they're going to be right for a very long time.
Your future daughter is going to take everything you say with a grain of salt too, but she'll listen to her grandparents without question. So I guess the jokes on you, sucker!
Sincerely yours,
Karma
Dear Karma,
Stop trying to find loopholes in everything your mom and dad try to tell you. They're right. They're always right. And they're going to be right for a very long time.
Your future daughter is going to take everything you say with a grain of salt too, but she'll listen to her grandparents without question. So I guess the jokes on you, sucker!
Sincerely yours,
Karma
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