A Letter to My Younger Self

"Our greatest glory is not in ever failing, but in rising every time we fall"- Nelson Mandela.

Dear younger self,

You didn’t have to go through the things that you did, and I wish you didn’t know what it felt like to never feel good enough for your dad. Little did you know the impact that would have in the future, with relationships, male bosses, etc. I am proud of you for leaning in and doing the work so that you could break through the cycle and the pain that came along with it. To learn that you are loved and worthy, and that real love shouldn’t feel like abandonment. I am really proud of you for your willingness to repair the relationship with your dad, even when it’s hard, because it has also healed you. I am proud of you for speaking your truth, understanding and creating boundaries that will serve you later in your life.

I am proud of you for deciding to stay. That life was worth living. As I write this, I recognize how proud I am and how many times I have written that in this letter, but it’s an indication and recognition that that’s all I wanted as a younger self. To feel validated, proud and a sense of belonging. Perhaps you were searching for that all along, until you found it in yourself as an adult. You have always been a fighter, and even when it’s sucked and all you wanted to do was give up, the resilience you gained through experiences will teach you how to navigate all of the crazy life challenges that will be thrown your way as you grow. I want you to know that you will always be okay.

You will learn to love yourself and show up for yourself, because you will have no choice but I want you to know that you will always come home to yourself and find a safe place there. You may feel lost and walk a different path for a bit, finding your place, but you will find your place. As you evolve, so will those places. Remain curious, don’t let the experiences keep you jaded. Always be willing to learn about yourself and others…..

…This is what freedom and self-love look like. You found it. Everything led you to here. In this moment, with these people, and these opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to live, so that others could too.

For more of this story, and my experience with domestic violence, watch for my book in 2026.