A Letter to my Younger Self
I think all the time about the journey, the domino effect, that got me here today. How the wisdom and knowledge I have now would have been a game changer for 21 year old Kelsey. I would have made so many choices differently, but then again I may not be where I am now if that was a possibility.
If I could meet myself 10 years ago and be a stranger to my own eyes, there is so much I would say to her. I would tell her first and foremost that she was and IS worthy. Worthy of love, worthy of respect and kindness and worthy most of all for her dreams. I would tell her that she exists to be herself for herself because that is who God created her to be and that hiding behind what other people wished she would be was only killing her slowly.
I would tell her that she is fully capable to do anything she puts her mind to and the fast track isn’t always the right track. I wish I could tell her she doesn’t need anyone’s permission to seek counseling and that through healing there is growth in purpose in ways she never expected.
My personal journey was a long and bumpy road of deep loneliness and self hatred. I don’t think I ever saw true happiness (at least not in comparison to today) and just lived day by day. I hid a lot of it from the people around me, not wanting to show weakness and definitely not wanting to be the center of attention, I was happy in the back of the room.
I would encourage her to seek more creative outlets outside photography. She already looked at the world through her own lens, imagine what more she could do? I would tell her to run towards the Lord with all her strength. She spent too long wandering, thinking she wasn’t enough for him. All the while he never left her side, so desperately wanting to be close.
If she could meet me right now? She wouldn’t believe we were the same person, molded from the same clay, just with a different shape. She would see the freedom of old chains that held her down in bondage. She would see a life lived she never dreamed she could have. She would see friendships she didn’t feel worthy to have. She wouldn’t believe that she would one day serve in ministry, speak to groups and write a book.
I so wish she could see all of this and know that she did in fact have a wonderful life, a life that is not fully yet lived, ahead of her. But it’s all about perspective that comes with experience. If I knew all of this then, I may have changed my course and God has purpose for all of it. Those situations, as hard as they may have been, are what got me here today and I am so thankful.
I hope you also reflect and look back on your life and see the testimony you have lived out. To see the things that were shaping you for today that at the time felt so painful and useless. That you give God the honor and praise for being a good Father and having bigger and better dreams for us. He wastes nothing and redeems everything.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
Kelsey Kimbrough
Get Creative Ministries
Challenge Below
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Challenge Below 〰️
Writing this letter to myself was so therapeutic and healing. Validating my experiences and emotions, addressing the things that hurt me or I look back on and want to hug myself over. It really puts your into a space of gratefulness for where the Lord has delivered you. Some steps so small you may not have realized it was a step forward in the moment.
Take 10-15 minutes this week to sit down with a journal and write a letter to your younger self. Think about a version of you from 5, 10, or even 15 years ago. What would you tell them? What wisdom do you wish they had? How would you encourage them in their struggles?
Here are a few prompts to help you get started:
“You don’t see it yet, but one day you will…”
“I know you’re struggling with ______ right now, but here’s what I want you to know…”
“If I could sit beside you today, I would remind you that…”
“God was with you even when…”
“You are more capable than you think because…”
After you write, take a moment to thank God for how far He has brought you. If you feel led, share a small part of your letter in the comments or with someone who needs encouragement.
