open when...

recently on Pinterest I've been seeing the "open when letters" pin float around. The idea is to write letters to your significant other, and on the envelopes title them "open when you're sad", "open when you're mad at me", "open when you miss me", "open when you're in the mood for a taco ", etc... okay just kidding on that last one. But seriously when my roommates and I first saw it we all let out a collective and appreciate "aweeeee" and our hands fluttered to our chest due to the sudden catching of feels. The second time I saw it, it was still cute. But the third time I saw it all I could think of was how much time and effort would have had to gone into that arduous letter-writing task. How many 'I love yous' and 'remember whens' can you put into a stack of letters before you've run out of words to say? Obviously this is why I'm not in a relationship because I rarely know what to say. But kudos to the girls (and maybe a few guys?) that lovingly spent the time to do this for their man (or woman). how tender.

Then on the ordinary pursuit Emma wrote a letter to herself. A letter reminding herself of her incredible self-worth and her extraordinary potential. So I decided to follow her lead and write myself a letter. A letter to me from me, my own worst enemy.

Dear Hailey,

Slow it down. You're always so on and so revved up that you're becoming careless and ignorant to what's happening around you. Take a moment to just be still. Sit in the stillness and silence of a moment and just let the quiet be the only thought in your head. Just breathe.

Remember that love won't be only a temporal thing. Find a love that is strong and everlasting. Find someone that truly loves you for all that you're worth, which is a lot. Make sure he encourages you to grow and to explore your passions. Let him love you and don't shy away from your feelings or keep them locked in a box. Love is about vulnerability and taking that first leap of faith. Don't worry, if he's good he'll catch you even before you fall.

You are so much more than your mistakes. You are more than your imperfections and shortcomings. You are more than the heartbreaks and aches. You are more than your bad habits and bad decisions. The things you've done are things that should be learned from. Some days it feels like the world is crashing down around you, but know that that isn't true. You're having a bad day, not a bad life. Keep your chin up buttercup.

Be happy to be you. You are so great and remember that sometimes you even consider yourself to be "hella rad". You're funny and quirky and you've got the best of friends that will do anything for you. Stop worrying about everything, take a breath, listen to a T-Swift jam, and you'll be alright kid.

You are worthy of happiness.

Love,
hails.