Love Letter to My Younger Self

Hey Betinha. You’re having it rough I know. You’re seeing and experiencing so much confusion, pain, uncertainty, and bearing a responsibility for another adult’s well-being that you should not be at this age. You’re scared. You often wonder if one day it will be so bad that you may not actually make it out alive. But I have good news. This will all contribute to a grown version of you that will be resilient, and able to create connections with so many. Some will be in awe of your strength, others will fear you for what you are able to see in them. You’ll form beautiful deep connections with those who are like you and those who are nothing like you. You’ll see them, and they will feel seen. They’ll tell you so, and in doing so you will feel seen too.

Also, you need to know how proud I am of you for not letting your pain and confusion build walls around your heart. You’ve made your love available, loudly and sometimes, it scares people. They don’t understand it because of the walls they’ve built around theirs.

Lastly, Betinha. You haven’t lost your joy, your laughter, your hope, and your ability to always imagine what beauty waits for you on the other side of what’s scary in the moment.

I’m damn proud of you Betinha.