You are enough
A letter to the part of you that feels afraid.
I want you to know that you are enough. You are worthy. You are seen. You are allowed to be exactly as you are, and you are allowed to long for more.
I want you to know that it’s possible to love yourself deeply - imperfectly - but with fierce courage and commitment. I want you to know that other people love you this way also.
I want you to know that you are brave. You have strength beyond that which you know. You are resilient and resourced, even when it feels like you have nothing left to draw on.
I want you to know that joy is possible. It’s here, in the stillness of your body and in the gentle hand you place on your heart. It's in the sunlight, in your laughter, in the wind blowing the trees. Sometimes joy is quiet. Do your best to listen.
I want you to know that I understand. Life doesn’t always look the way you want it to, and sometimes things feel really hard. I want you to know that there are people in your life that can hold you with kindness and care during these times. If you aren’t sure who these people are, or how to find them, I want you to know that you WILL find them. Open yourself to the possibility of a tribe, a circle, a family. They will come.
I want you to know that it's alright to feel sorrow. And anger. And hurt. Just like it’s alright to feel exuberance and pleasure and bliss. It’s alright to make mistakes, and embarrass yourself. It’s alright to feel regret. You are learning. You will never stop learning. And you are already complete.
I want you to know that you can be for yourself, just as I am for you. It's not selfish or greedy. Let yourself feel your own support, your own encouragement, your own wisdom. Turn your love inward, and fill yourself up with the warm glow of kindness.
I want you to know that there is ground beneath you. Even when you feel like worry might carry you away, know that there is a foundation underneath you, inside you, and it will keep you grounded.
I want you to know that showing up was enough. You are here. That's all you had to do. There are no requirements, no to-do list, no assignments. You are alive. Let that be enough. And when you can’t believe that, love yourself in your disbelief. Love yourself in the striving, the doing, the achieving. That part of you is enough too.
Let yourself feel this. Let yourself be here. If this only feels true for the briefest of moments, trust that moment. It’s real.