Dear self,
When was the moment that you first started doubting yourself?
When was the moment that you disappeared and started to silence and suppress yourself?
When was the moment that you stopped believing in your dreams, goals and ambitions and gave up on them?
When was the moment that your hope crumbled?
And when was the moment that you forgot your potential, who you were and all that you were capable of?
Perhaps it was when you became trapped in the mindset
Of comparing yourself to others
And feeling caged by their opinions
And restricted by their judgments.
Perhaps it was when you experienced loss, disappointment and failure
Or perhaps it was when you allowed your fear, uncertainty and insecurities
To stunt your growth and stop you from taking action.
But I want you to remember
That you don’t have to be a brilliant artist
To draw or paint
You don’t have to be a bestselling author
To write well and express yourself fully
You don’t have to be a perfect person
To share your work with the world
And you don’t need approval and permission from all of those around you
To follow your dreams.
All that you require
Is your own self-expression
Your own authenticity
Your own beauty, love, light and magic
And your own willingness and courage to try.
I hope you appreciate
That only you know the melody of your soul
Only you know the inner longings of your heart
Only you know the dreams and desires
Coursing through your veins
And only you are capable of expressing them
And bringing them into reality.
And so
I hope you choose to silence the voice of self-doubt
That prevents you from expressing yourself fully
I hope you will be brave enough to share your voice
And express yourself authentically
And I hope you understand
That there is no greater pain
Than having your song go unsung
Your story go unwritten
And your life go unlived
And that the world needs more people
Who pursue the things that bring them joy
And make them come alive.
~Tahlia Hunter
Excerpt from “A Year Of Love Letters To Myself: 365 Passages Of Self-Love, Healing And Encouragement.” Get your copy at this link: https://www.tahliahunter.com/online-store
