Happy Birthday To Me – A Letter Of Love And Acceptance

For my birthday post this year I decided to do something a little different. Every time I write a card to one of my friends on their birthday I write a long emotional message full of lovely things and happy memories and my main aim is to bring a smile to the person reading it. My friends do the same for me on my birthday and thinking over different cards I’ve received over the years is what really got this idea in my head. I’ve decided to write a birthday card to myself, it sounds a bit sad I know, but it’s something I’ve never thought to do. Self appraisal and bigging ourselves up is something we’re almost taught not to do, but on a day that’s there specifically to celebrate me I thought what better time than my birthday to really sit down and be kind to myself.

Dear Me,

Since turning eighteen you’ve been through a lot; from relationships ending to battling with mental health, you’ve overcome a hell of a lot in the past year, much more than you give yourself credit for, and you should be proud of yourself. Despite everything around you seemingly falling apart you just kept on fighting, when things got so tough that people were genuinely worried about you, you just kept on going and succeeding, not once did you even come close to giving up. The road to recovery is a long one but looking at how far you’ve come, there’s no doubt you’ll make it.

There have also been so many happy memories in the past year too. You’ve had so many adventures this summer, which despite all the odds turned out being the best summer of your life, and you’ve flourished into a much more interesting and independent person because of it. You kayaked in the Mediterranean, took photos of the stars on a Spanish clifftop and really lived life to the fullest; and I’m so glad that so many happy memories, with amazing people, have come out of it. Memories you’ve created this summer, with some of your closest friends, will truly stay with you forever.

I’m so glad that you’re finally accepting yourself as a person and beginning to shrug off the hurt and lack of confidence that has haunted you for years. You are worth so much than the aged opinion of some nobody in your school year who’s only purpose in your life was to tear you down; you are worth so much more than their taunts and remarks. You are becoming more confident day by day and I’m so glad that you are finally beginning to learn how amazing, entertaining and interesting you truly are. Finding people you love and who love you for you is the key to truly appreciating yourself within a social setting and finding your true friends, and leaving those behind who you’ve purely kept there for sentimental reasons, is the best decision you’ve made.

Be kind to yourself over the next year and in the words of Winnie The Pooh remember that ‘you’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think’.

Love Chloe x