‘Let go of who you think you are supposed to be, and embrace who you are.’ Brené Brown. You are good enough and clever enough and kind enough. You work hard enough, you do enough, are beautiful and you have fun enough. Go easy on yourself. Give yourself a break. You are doing so well. See how far you have already come. You really are enough.
My favourite bit about this is how it’s ok to be the mud, the storm and the ashes. I wrote a similar letter to my daughter, and I absolutely loved the process of it ❤️
This is so lovely Kate - I often think of my relationship with my Mam when reading/hearing about you and your daughter. We are also very close, and I think my Mam will really resonate with this. Just shared the link with her 🥰
"You will have periods of growth and change, and fallow periods where you do very little, and nothing seems that exciting. Embrace it all!"
This was sooo poignant and lovely. THANK YOU for your words. I would tell my 18 year old self to let go of control and trust. Things will turn out exactly as they should ♥️
1. NEVER EVER try to ignore or suppress your emotions. Your emotions ARE IMMENSELY IMPORTANT.
2. People-pleasing is a disease. Be careful not to catch it, because if you do, you'll need TONS OF THERAPY to get rid of it.
3. When you're in a classroom, NEVER THINK you need tp be treated differently just because your parents are ....................... . You're a person like others.
4. If a problem exists, talk with sb who understands you and NEVER KEEP THIS TO YOURSELF.
Your daughter is blessed to have you as a mother as you are indeed fortunate to have her as your daughter. That turning 18 successfully is a milestone along life's highway with so much having gone before and hopefully the best is yet to come. There is nothing better than a strong foundation upon which to make good choices to build a life that will continue to be a shining example of love and good will. I feel a little sad for what today's 18 year olds are facing ahead of them and we have one of our 14 grandchildren turning 18 next month and off to the university of his choice in the Fall. I wrote a letter to 11 of them last March, and "god willing and the creek don't rise" I will see all of them in person late next month when they come to see me. Here's the post with my letter: https://garygruber.substack.com/p/letter-to-11-of-14-grandchildren
That's great you wrote a letter to them Gary! Thank you for your kind words. Yes modern times are tough, but her and her friends are so inclusive, understanding, interesting and diverse that it gives me hope! They will have a lot of mess to sort out in the world. I think it will happen, I hope things will go full circle and back to being more human again.
Yes, I am placing great hopes in the next generations who can rise above the current lack of decent leadership. I have lived long enough, as the title of my post suggests, “From Both Sides Now” and while we may be living under a cloud right now, the sun will shine again and a wind will blow the clouds away. I’ve seen that happen before and Ihave faith it will happen again.
Oh I love that - my son is turning 18 in May and it could have been written for him as he heads off to University in September. if you don’t mind I might take some of your ideas for his letter. Just a lovely idea and thanks for sharing! ❤️
I truly recommend you do it! I found it very emotional to write, I think I wished I had had a letter like this. She really loved it. It's worth the effort! 🙏🏻🤍
What piece of advice would you give your 18 year old self, or a young person you know?
The advice I would give to a young woman is "To thine own self be true." Always.
That’s great advice Donna, so important 🙏🏻✨
My favourite bit about this is how it’s ok to be the mud, the storm and the ashes. I wrote a similar letter to my daughter, and I absolutely loved the process of it ❤️
We have to knowledge all the shit bits too! I loved writing this too though it made me cry several times! 🤍
Mine too!! 😭❤️
Aw, Kate... I really enjoyed this ☺️ You've really inspired me to write one to my daughter ❤️
I recommend it Eva! I found it so therapeutic to write for myself too! She appreciated it which is the main thing. Xxx
This is lovely. Thanks so much for sharing. I have a 16 year old daughter. Makes me think of her xx
Ah thanks Kathryn! Maybe you could write her one too! ☺️
This is so lovely Kate - I often think of my relationship with my Mam when reading/hearing about you and your daughter. We are also very close, and I think my Mam will really resonate with this. Just shared the link with her 🥰
Ah that's so lovely Lauren, it means alot - thank you! 🥰
"You will have periods of growth and change, and fallow periods where you do very little, and nothing seems that exciting. Embrace it all!"
This was sooo poignant and lovely. THANK YOU for your words. I would tell my 18 year old self to let go of control and trust. Things will turn out exactly as they should ♥️
Thank you! Yes I love your advice Olivia, we can just let go and go with the flow a bit more! 🧡
Some pieces of advice to my younger self:
1. NEVER EVER try to ignore or suppress your emotions. Your emotions ARE IMMENSELY IMPORTANT.
2. People-pleasing is a disease. Be careful not to catch it, because if you do, you'll need TONS OF THERAPY to get rid of it.
3. When you're in a classroom, NEVER THINK you need tp be treated differently just because your parents are ....................... . You're a person like others.
4. If a problem exists, talk with sb who understands you and NEVER KEEP THIS TO YOURSELF.
This is wonderful advice, so clear! I wish I'd heard this when I was young!
Yes, truly wonderful😉🙂
😄✨
Your daughter is blessed to have you as a mother as you are indeed fortunate to have her as your daughter. That turning 18 successfully is a milestone along life's highway with so much having gone before and hopefully the best is yet to come. There is nothing better than a strong foundation upon which to make good choices to build a life that will continue to be a shining example of love and good will. I feel a little sad for what today's 18 year olds are facing ahead of them and we have one of our 14 grandchildren turning 18 next month and off to the university of his choice in the Fall. I wrote a letter to 11 of them last March, and "god willing and the creek don't rise" I will see all of them in person late next month when they come to see me. Here's the post with my letter: https://garygruber.substack.com/p/letter-to-11-of-14-grandchildren
That's great you wrote a letter to them Gary! Thank you for your kind words. Yes modern times are tough, but her and her friends are so inclusive, understanding, interesting and diverse that it gives me hope! They will have a lot of mess to sort out in the world. I think it will happen, I hope things will go full circle and back to being more human again.
Yes, I am placing great hopes in the next generations who can rise above the current lack of decent leadership. I have lived long enough, as the title of my post suggests, “From Both Sides Now” and while we may be living under a cloud right now, the sun will shine again and a wind will blow the clouds away. I’ve seen that happen before and Ihave faith it will happen again.
It has happened through history and it will again. We feel for you all in America right now. 🙏🏻
Oh I love that - my son is turning 18 in May and it could have been written for him as he heads off to University in September. if you don’t mind I might take some of your ideas for his letter. Just a lovely idea and thanks for sharing! ❤️
Yes of course! You'll probably come up with something better for him yourself! Wishing him luck for uni in Sept!
🫶🏻
Thanks Elaine! ☺️
This is wonderful. I have two teenagers and feel them slipping away. I just might need to write to them each on their next birthdays.
I truly recommend you do it! I found it very emotional to write, I think I wished I had had a letter like this. She really loved it. It's worth the effort! 🙏🏻🤍
This is beautiful xx
What would you say to your 18 year old self?
Just have more fun. Don't take life so seriously
Such good advice - I say this to my daughter all the time! Thank you !
Thank you so much!