The Best Valentine’s Day Gift I’ve Ever Gotten
Here’s the best Valentine’s Day gift I ever got—it was a card I wrote to myself 3 years ago. I was going through the hardest time in my life. It was a really hard breakup, I’d just moved out of my house, and life felt upside down. That was the beginning of my new journey of self-love. I realized I’d been relying on a relationship to fill a void and validate who I was. And it would never be enough, until I learned how to give myself that love first. Here’s my Valentine’s letter to myself, from 2020.
(I’m a writer, so one way I show myself love is through words. But if you were to write a letter to yourself, don’t judge yourself if it’s not this long, etc. The important part is that it’s from the heart. Feel free to borrow these sentiments as my letter to you, too. Because you are doing better than you think you are. And there’s so much hope ahead for you.)
[Card print says: I wanted to give you a great big heart for Valentine’s Day… But you already have one!]
Jolié,
Man, where to start. It’s been a hell of a few weeks, huh? And you’ve taken it on with such grace and dignity. Your future self is so thankful for that and so incredibly proud of you, too. I think you’ve probably surprised yourself lately. You probably didn’t realize before how strong you are. How principled. How centered and grounded. How brave. To look fear and pain in the eye and hold strong, stand your ground, and not run away.
You’re doing so much better than you even think you are. And you won’t even believe the massive beauty that’s going to come from all this. You’ll start to see how this needed to all happen in order for you to get to where you need to go. Where you’re meant to be.
It’s going to suck first. But I’m telling you ahead of time. It’s just part of the process. It’s normal. It’s just where you’re supposed to be. And it won’t last. Just hang in, day by day. It will get better. It will get sooo better. Just keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle. It’ll be going down, going up. But just stick around for the ride and you’ll be fine. It’s going to blow your mind, the freedom and growth that comes from this.
Breath deep. Don’t stop being soft. And be easy on yourself. Give yourself that safe space to feel how you feel. Cry it out. Dance it. Sing it. Whatever you need. Trust and believe that there’s gold in them hills.
I know this wasn’t part of the plan but I know I hope it’s showing you a new light and perspective about yourself through this. From this. Keep your eyes on the gifts. Look for them. Search them out. There are so many. And keep writing. Keep sharing. You’re a great person. And the love you have to offer is unlike anyone else’s. It makes you, you. You have such a big heart. So big, so open, so undying and I’m grateful for who you are.
Here’s to your new chapter. I guarantee it’ll be even more exciting and fulfilling than what you thought would be here.
Here’s to open arms for the best things in this life. And the ability to let go of anything not up to that standard.
My best life! I love you, kiddo. I’m still getting my every buck on you.
Love,
Jols