A Gentle Reminder

1. Embrace Your Authentic Self and Love Deeply

"At the end of the day you should leave this world with a heart that is worn-out and soft all over. A heart that is bruised from loving, and feeling, and caring in the best way possible."

Be unapologetically you. In a world that often favors distance over depth, choose to be the person who cares deeply. Don't shy away from your emotions or try to quiet your heartbeat. Instead, embrace your authenticity and love with everything you have.

Love is transformative. When you open yourself up to genuine connections, you allow for the possibility of profound change and growth. These experiences, even if they don't last forever, shape who you are and teach you valuable lessons about yourself and others.

• Embrace your depth of feeling
• Don't be afraid to show your vulnerability
• Let your authenticity shine through in all your interactions

2. Trust the Timing of Your Life and Personal Growth

"Please, just trust the timing of your life. You don't have to have it all figured out by a certain age; you don't have to chase a version of success that does not inspire you."

Your journey is unique. It's easy to fall into the trap of comparing your progress to others, but remember that everyone's path is different. Trust that things will unfold as they should in your life, and focus on your personal growth rather than arbitrary timelines.

Growth takes time. Just as a seed needs time to sprout and flourish, so do you need time to develop and evolve. Embrace the process of becoming, and don't rush yourself towards a future that may not align with your true desires.

• Let go of societal expectations about timelines
• Focus on personal growth rather than external markers of success
• Be patient with yourself as you evolve

3. Let Go of What No Longer Serves You

"Give yourself permission to let go of what weighs heavily on your soul. You carry it all so well, but that does not mean that it is yours to hold."

Release the unnecessary burdens. Often, we hold onto things, people, or situations that no longer contribute positively to our lives. Recognize that letting go is not a sign of weakness, but a courageous act of self-love and growth.

Make room for the new. When you release what no longer serves you, you create space for new opportunities, relationships, and experiences that align better with who you are becoming. This process, while sometimes painful, is essential for personal evolution.

• Identify what's weighing you down
• Practice letting go as an act of self-care
• Embrace the potential for new beginnings

4. Healing is a Non-Linear Journey

"It is okay to be affected by something you thought you had healed from. Healing is not linear. Be gentle with yourself."

Progress isn't always straightforward. Healing from past hurts, traumas, or losses doesn't follow a straight line. There will be ups and downs, steps forward and steps back. Recognize this as a natural part of the process.

Practice self-compassion. On days when old wounds resurface, treat yourself with kindness and understanding. Remember that healing takes time, and it's okay to have moments of vulnerability or pain even as you're moving forward.

• Accept that healing has no set timeline
• Be patient with yourself during setbacks
• Celebrate small victories in your healing journey

5. Choose Happiness and Self-Love

"Choose happiness. Choose the kind of love that feels right, the kind of love that makes you understand why it didn't work out with anyone else."

Happiness is a choice. While we can't control everything that happens to us, we can choose how we respond. Actively decide to pursue what brings you joy and fulfillment, even when it's challenging.

Self-love is fundamental. Before you can truly love others or find fulfilling relationships, you need to cultivate a deep sense of love and acceptance for yourself. This self-love becomes the foundation for all other relationships in your life.

• Prioritize activities and people that bring you joy
• Practice daily self-love and self-care routines
• Choose relationships that align with your values and needs

6. Vulnerability is Strength, Not Weakness

"Please, whatever you do — just leap towards tenderness. Leap towards connection. We are all afraid to say too much, to feel too deeply, to let people know what they mean to us."

Embrace vulnerability. In a world that often equates vulnerability with weakness, choose to see it as a strength. Being open about your feelings and experiences creates deeper, more meaningful connections with others.

Authentic connections require risk. To form genuine relationships, you must be willing to show your true self, including your fears, hopes, and dreams. This openness, while scary, is the gateway to profound connections and personal growth.

• Practice expressing your feelings openly
• Take risks in sharing your authentic self with others
• Recognize the strength in showing vulnerability

7. Connections Cannot Be Measured in Time

"Connections cannot be measured in time, but rather in how deeply they help you to see yourself."

Quality over quantity. The depth of a connection is not determined by how long you've known someone, but by how profoundly they impact your life and understanding of yourself.

Trust your instincts. When you meet someone who resonates with you on a deep level, don't dismiss it because it's new. These connections, regardless of their duration, can be transformative and offer valuable insights into your own nature.

• Value connections based on depth, not length
• Be open to meaningful connections, regardless of timing
• Reflect on how relationships help you understand yourself better

8. Learn to Be Your Own Home

"Alone is not synonymous with not good enough. Alone is not a weakness, it is not something to be ashamed of. No, alone is a gift."

Cultivate self-reliance. Learning to be comfortable with yourself and find peace in solitude is a powerful skill. It allows you to approach relationships from a place of wholeness rather than neediness.

Alone time is valuable. Use periods of solitude for self-reflection, personal growth, and nurturing your passions. This time alone can help you better understand your needs, desires, and goals.

• Practice being comfortable in your own company
• Use alone time for self-discovery and personal growth
• Approach relationships from a place of self-sufficiency

9. Forgive Yourself and Others

"Forgive yourself for changing. Forgive yourself for being a different person than you were a year ago or three months ago or even a week ago."

Embrace personal evolution. Change is a natural part of life and growth. Instead of criticizing yourself for changing, celebrate the ways you've grown and evolved.

Practice forgiveness. Holding onto resentment, whether towards yourself or others, only weighs you down. Learn to forgive as an act of self-liberation, allowing yourself to move forward unburdened by past hurts or mistakes.

• Acknowledge and celebrate your personal growth
• Practice self-forgiveness for past mistakes or perceived shortcomings
• Extend forgiveness to others as a way of freeing yourself

10. Cherish the Small Moments of Joy

"Maybe in the most complicated moments — happiness simplifies in a deeply profound way. Maybe it exists in the quiet, in the moments where you fully connect with yourself and you love yourself and you are kind to yourself in all that is gritty and all that is hard and all that is unanswered in your life."

Find joy in simplicity. In the midst of life's complexities, happiness often resides in the simplest moments. Learn to recognize and appreciate these small joys.

Practice mindfulness. By being present in the moment, you can more fully experience and appreciate the beauty in everyday life. This mindfulness can help you find peace even in challenging times.

• Notice and appreciate small moments of joy each day
• Practice mindfulness to fully experience the present
• Find beauty in the ordinary aspects of life

11. You Deserve to Be Chosen and Loved Fully

"You deserve to be loved the way you love others. You deserve to feel seen. You deserve to sleep beside someone who does not try to quiet your heartbeat, or your passion, or the way you show up in this world."

Know your worth. Understand that you deserve to be loved fully and completely, just as you are. Don't settle for less than what you know you deserve in relationships.

Choose partners who celebrate you. Seek relationships with people who appreciate your authentic self, including your passions, quirks, and the unique way you engage with the world. These are the connections that will truly nurture and support you.

• Recognize and affirm your own worth
• Set standards in relationships based on mutual respect and appreciation
• Choose partners who celebrate your authentic self

Last updated: October 22, 2024