If you haven't written a Letter To Self yet this year, do it now. Here's why.
The other evening, after a somewhat exhausting day, I sat down by the fireplace and decided to peek at Facebook for a few minutes before calling it a night. As I glanced through updates from friends and family, a message popped onto my screen:
Christi - I couldn't wait to even find my work email where I've got your email address stored to message you. Just got my note I wrote a year ago to myself and that may be the most powerful piece of mail I've ever received. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
A bit of context:
Early last year, I asked our ASPIRE Success Club members to write a letter to themselves. "I'm only going to give you three minutes," I explained, "so no overthinking. I just want you to quickly write a few lines to yourself that will bring a smile to your face if you were to open it at the end of the year - something that acknowledges your beautiful self and that celebrates the amazing year you're about to have." I then had them each self-address an envelope, place her letter inside, seal it up, and leave it with me. Nothing more was said.
Towards the end of December, we mailed all the letters out. On or near New Year's Eve day, each ASPIRE member had that moment of confusion when first seeing something in her own handwriting waiting in the mailbox, :-) followed by the joyful experience of reading the encouraging letter she had written so many months before.
I have done this exercise with groups many times and the results are always astounding; this time was no exception. I received numerous emails and calls explaining how meaningful and deeply profound that experience of writing by hand, then forgetting about, then reading this compassionate, celebratory Letter To Self is. I save - and savor - each of these messages.
One in particular, however, impacted me deeply this year. I've known Lacey Schmidt for about twelve years. She attended a class I taught through community education when first starting my business and has been an inspiring client, colleague, and friend ever since.
This past year has been a bit tumultuous for Lacey, to say the least: When she wrote that letter to herself in ASPIRE, she was in the midst of a difficult divorce, had two boys under the age of three, and was about to be offered an opportunity to move halfway across the country for a promotion she had earned. The Letter To Self exercise came at a time when Lacey's life felt somewhat uncertain and chaotic - but she also knew that uncertainty and chaos weren't her "essence." She reached deep within for this assignment, writing:
Hey You,
Whoa. What a year. Could more have fit into this incredible journey year to more strength, wisdom, courage, and love? You've experienced it all - and came out shining. You want to be YOU and that was the most important focus you had a year ago when you didn't want to be...well, anywhere. You came out focused, fighting, and with superhero posture. You've done all that seemed impossible with grace, charisma, and inspiration. You've helped others. You are growing your boys into incredible young men. You've not lost sight of yourself or given up or compromised your values, priorities, or essentially what matters most. You have transformed.
I am so proud of you and excited for all the next year will bring. What will you do now? Who will you continue to grow and become?
Love,
Me
Wow. Powerful words, wouldn't you say? Especially coming at a time of such difficulty and uncertainty.
So, when I received Lacey's private message on Facebook, I immediately responded, thanking her for letting me know what a meaningful experience the Letter To Self exercise was for her. She wrote back:
It was such a hard, hard year. Yet, what I set out here [in this letter] and was really focused on all year (even if I forgot the exact words) came true.
Therein lies the power of the Letter To Self exercise, and I encourage anyone reading this article to do it.
Close your eyes for a moment and place yourself at the end of the year. Consider what you want to be feeling at that time, who you want to be and how you want to show up in the world. Then, from that expansive place, write a letter to yourself - short, positive, and in your own handwriting. Seal it up and either give it to a trusted friend to mail to you at the end of December or put it somewhere (maybe with your Christmas decorations) where you won't see it again until year-end. Then, forget it.
You will be amazed at what this experience creates for you. Absolutely amazed. We did this in ASPIRE again this year, and it will likely become an annual part of our curriculum.
Take three minutes and do this, right now. You won't regret it.
I'll close this article with Lacey's final comment before we signed off of Facebook for the night. What she wrote next brought goosebumps to my arms and tears to my eyes:
As I said to some friends, if you want to bring yourself to your knees, write a letter to yourself, forget about it, and have it sent to you a year later. And realize all of what you wrote and forgot about came true.
Most days, it doesn't feel like any of this is true. When I read it though, I know it's the exact truth. So perfect. And much needed. I can't thank you enough.
Thank YOU, Lacey, for knowing your exact truth, for sharing your experience, and for allowing me to share it with others.