Dear Me...

Finding the Right Words May journaling challenge: “Notes to Self” 🌸

in my head.

I get in my head a lot and sometimes, in my head is not a great place to be. 

I can be pretty mean to myself in my inner dialogue. It’s one of the first signs that I’m entering a depressive episode, when I can’t stop criticizing every little thing I say or do or think. Or ever said or did or thought. I talk to myself like I hate myself and wish I could just be…different

When I’m being buried alive by my own negative self talk, I imagine someone trying to rescue me. Reaching their hands in the depths of my mind, pulling me free, boldly stepping in front of me to shield me from further attack, and shouting out “YOU CAN’T TALK TO HER THAT WAY!!”

That rescuer is not real and fades quickly. Sometimes I look to my friends and family to protect me with validation and words of affirmation. But no outside voice can silence the louder voices in my head. I have to learn to do it myself.

Even though I’ve been gone from this space for a while, I’m always writing (and encouraging you to write 😉). During this particular depressive episode, I’ve been practicing talking to myself nice. Filling my journal with notes to myself. Writing to myself as someone outside of myself who could see my life with compassion, honesty, and kindness.

Which inspired this month’s journaling challenge that I hope will help you see yourself a little more sweetly.

The May journaling challenge 🌸

Every Friday during the month of May, I’ll be sharing journal entries under the theme “DEAR ME: Notes to Self” where I’ll be writing letters to myself of love, encouragement, advice, and hope for the future. I’ve suggested four different types of letters that will encourage self reflection and positive self talk, but honestly, we can write about whatever ourselves need to hear the most. 

I’m hoping this challenge will remind us all about one of the best parts of journaling. The pages of our journals create the sacred text of our lives. Our journals contain the stories of our day and our deepest inner thoughts. But it’s also a place for you to return to when you need to feel more like yourself. Not just by pouring into the page, but also by reading your words and truly seeing yourself. 

I want to make sure there are some kind words in my journals that will give me strength for my journey. Life is already hard. No need to be quite as hard on myself.

I hope you join me on this journaling journey by following the graphic. You can also follow the Finding The Right Words Podcast to get more unique journaling prompts. Season 3 starts Monday, May 6. I’ll see you there.