A Letter to My Younger Self
Reclaiming My Dreams and Rediscovering My Spark
My dearest little one,
I see you so clearly—wide-eyed and brimming with wonder, dreams spilling out of your imagination like sunlight through the cracks. You had such a beautiful, tender heart, but somewhere along the way, you convinced yourself it wasn’t enough. You decided that to be loved, to belong, you had to be perfect.
Every mistake, no matter how small, felt monumental. You carried the weight of those moments as if they defined you, silently vowing to never let anyone down again. You made it your mission to be everything to everyone—the dependable one, the selfless one, the person who could hold it all together.
But in carrying everyone else’s burdens, you forgot your own. You put your dreams on a shelf, dimmed your light, and silenced your voice because you thought that was what the world needed from you. My love, it’s time to let go of that story. It’s time to reclaim what’s always been yours.
The Reckoning and Rediscovery
Do you remember December 2021? Everything seemed to fall apart at once—work, relationships, finances. It felt like the foundation of your life had been ripped out from under you. You thought you were losing everything, but what you were really losing were the things that no longer served you.
That chaos became your turning point. In the wreckage, you began to see the patterns that had shaped your life—the fear of failure, the constant over-giving, the belief that you had to earn love by sacrificing yourself.
It wasn’t easy to face those truths. Healing felt like tearing apart a story you’d been writing for years. But as you let go of the old, something incredible happened: you found the parts of yourself you thought you’d lost forever.
Reclaiming Your Light
You’ve rediscovered your spark, that inner flame that had been quietly waiting for you to notice it again. For so long, you believed your light had to be dimmed to make others feel comfortable. But now, you see it for what it is—a guiding force, one that shines brightly not just for others, but for yourself.
Those dreams you thought were impractical or childish? They never left. They’ve been waiting for you to come back to them. And now, they’re at the heart of everything you’re creating—the work you do, the life you’re building, the people you’re inspiring.
You’ve stopped defining yourself by what you give to others and started embracing what you deserve. You’ve learned to say no, to set boundaries, and to honor your own needs. You’ve begun living for yourself—not in selfishness, but in authenticity.
The Gifts in the Struggle
We’ve realized that the qualities we once thought were weaknesses—your deep sensitivity, your relentless need to care for others—are actually your greatest strengths. You’ve learned how to use those gifts without losing yourself in the process.
You’ve stopped running from your emotions and started sitting with them, even when it’s uncomfortable. You’ve found beauty in imperfection and courage in vulnerability. And in doing so, you’ve become the person you needed when you were younger—strong, compassionate, and unapologetically you.
A New Story
So here’s what I want you to know, my love: you’re free now.
Free from the need to prove your worth.
Free from the fear of being too much or not enough.
We’re building a new story together, one where your dreams are the foundation, not an afterthought.
One where your voice matters and your joy is non-negotiable.
Take my hand, and let’s keep walking this path—reclaiming, rebuilding, and rediscovering.
The best part? We’re just getting started.
With all the love you’ve always deserved,
Minhaj