As adults, we are responsible for defining who we are and who we should be. For many of us, it is; unfortunate we have that taken from us either based on the way we look or other people’s opinions.
Now a 35-year-old woman, there is a lot I have grown in the past ten-plus years. So this is an open letter to my 21-year-old self and all the women who find it hard to see who they are.
Let’s Journal!
To 21-year-old Jody
You will learn your boundaries. But take time to understand your anger. Speak up when you think you’re wrongfully treated; bottling it up will only cause you to lash out at those who don’t deserve it.
You are beautiful. You don’t need to overcompensate for your curves. Your work ethic will speak for itself. Those who target you do so because of their insecurities. You are more than the skin you are in. Do not allow anyone to put you in a box.
You are creative. You are smart. You are a positive force. You will have friends that will see you for who you are.
You always say a relationship is 100 – 100; believe it and live by it. You will make emotionally painful decisions, but you will come through them. Learn from them and do not make them again. You are worthy of love; what you ask for is never too much. You will find someone who understands you and won’t make you feel ashamed of your tears, thoughts and opinions.
Be your best self. Control your anxiety, and do not let it control you. Let go of your fears.
Know that you are a lot smarter than you give yourself credit for.
With Love
Your future self.
Next Steps
First, write a letter to yourself. Not the past, but the person you are now and what you love about them. Put it in a jar or box. So you can return to it anytime you are feeling low or insecure. It is a reminder of who you are
Then write down the things you want to do and the person you want to be in 5 years. This can be emotional, spiritual and career-wise. I use career-wise very loosely. It doesn’t have to be one thing; you can be a banker and an artist, a psychologist and a dancer. Do not put yourself in a box. Because if there is one thing I learnt, we are not just one thing. It is something society and sometimes other people who put limit us, and you deserve to be you. Not you, the world wants you to be. But the person God gave you the talents to be and you know you should be.
With Love
Jody-Anne Vanessa
XOXO.
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Also, remember to check out my podcast: Beyond SKin Deep with Jody-Anne Vanessa, also available on Spotify and all major podcast hosting platforms.
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