Dear Younger self,
I see you, sitting alone in that empty house, believing you are too far gone, too broken to be loved. I know the shame you carry from addiction and how tired your spirit feels from trying to survive. You think there is no way out, but I need you to know: you are not beyond saving, and you are worthy of the life you secretly dream about every night.There is a place called Pathways to Independence waiting for you, where women will see your worth before you can. It will become your safe place, where you will learn that you deserve kindness, safety, and a future. You will discover your strength as you build a new life, piece by piece.
You will go back to school and earn your degrees, proving to yourself that you are capable and intelligent. You will get your own apartment—a place filled with peace, plants, and your laughter echoing through the rooms. You will find a healthy relationship, one where love does not hurt, and you will see it is okay to let people in. You will take care of your body, and the weight you carried, both physically and emotionally, will begin to lift as you learn to love yourself fully. One day, you will look in the mirror and see a woman who is free, who helps other women believe in themselves, who shows up in this world with courage and compassion. You will become someone you are proud of. I know it’s kind of hard to believe right now, but please be brave, take that next step even if it’s small. A beautiful, peaceful, and meaningful life is waiting for you, and one day, you will thank yourself for not giving up.
With all the love you deserve,
Your future self HB
