Write a Love Letter to Yourself

Do you constantly criticize yourself? Are you filled with negative self-judgment? If so, you are not alone–most of us suffer terribly from lack of self-acceptance, especially during the Valentine season when everyone is talking about love–but often not feeling much self-love at all! But there is a powerful, loving, healing antidote at hand. When we write an open-hearted letter to ourselves (and you actually mail it and receive it in the mail), we connect with the compassionate Witness Self who sees our struggles and our inner essence and loves us unconditionally. We know people who still reread the letters they wrote to themselves many years ago, and every time they do they find such deep comfort.

This may well be one of the most moving and helpful activities that you ever do. Find the simple directions here, and let the healing begin:

First, find a time and place where you won’t be disturbed. Bring a piece of paper, an envelope and stamp, and a pen with you.

Take a few moments to close your eyes and simply notice your breath and any sounds you can hear where you are.

Now gently bring your attention down from the place behind your eyes, where most of us keep it, down through your throat, down into your heart center. Imagine what that heart center looks like. Is it a safe nest? A warm cave? A glowing temple? Imagine that, in this heart-place, there is a wise and compassionate Witness Self who knows you through and through and who loves you deeply and completely.

Open your eyes and begin to write yourself a letter, writing as the Witness Self. You may choose to write about your triumphs, your challenges, your shining qualities, your deep desires–but every word is filled with respect and admiration for the strong, radiant being you are, seen with limitless love by the Witness.

When you are finished, fold the letter and place it in the envelope, seal it, and address it to yourself. Put the stamp on and, when you have a chance, drop it in a mailbox. When the letter arrives, take a few minutes when you know you won’t be disturbed, find a private place, and read the letter carefully. You may find that you are moved to tears by it; allow your feelings to flow. Thank your inner Witness Self for understanding you so well, refold the letter and put it back in its envelope, and keep it where you can reread it and take its message of love to heart whenever you have need.

Read more: Guidance, Holidays, Life, Self-Help, Valentine's Day

By Cait Johnson, Assistant Producer, Care2 Healthy Living Channels.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Nimue P.

3:00AM PDT on May 2, 2012

Interesting idea.

send a green star

Dale O.

9:48PM PDT on May 1, 2012

Interesting concept as it can help bring comfort to oneself especially when one is feeling down on oneself or the world in general. We are kinder to others than ourselves. Every now it is helpful to send a few kind messages our own way as we are always sending them out to our friends, family and we get lost in the shuffle. Often some of us send ourselves very negative messages.

Am not sure what Teresa W. has been smoking-what in the world are you going on about? Of course she was at a health topic article regarding the subject of orgasm and complained that Care2 was promoting pornography. Since it is a natural human function, hardly as the subject was tastefully conducted.

But going to a site about writing a love letter to oneself and state that she hopes that the person writing this article that: "I hope that she is not propagating masturbation" is just strange. Okay?...can't say that I saw anything about that in writing a gentle and kind letter to oneself. Did I miss something here? Or is being positive to oneself somehow interpreted in a negative fashion? Sorry to go on about this but cannot see how that assumption even came about.

A lovely article about simply being kind to oneself and bringing some inner peace to your busy and hectic day.

Holly L.

7:40AM PST on Nov 21, 2011

I have a beautiful husband who writes me love letters!

Elizabeth C.

1:03PM PDT on Oct 24, 2011

Cait, this seems like it would be a powerful tool for connecting with one's self, and that is one of the four types of connection that I believe are essential for happiness and success. I explore the Power of Connection in my blog (Heartspoken.com).

I would love to post this as a guest post on my blog, with proper accreditation of course, in early February as people are thinking about Valentine's Day. Would you consider this? If so, let me know at riverwood50@gmail.com.

Lucy M.

11:54AM PDT on Sep 8, 2011

Wow! So many people of struggling with their own fears,worries and inadequacies which can and does affect their relationships with so many. I heard many years ago, from my pastor that was so respected by many who has passed.."the only one standing in your way is yourself".

11:51PM PDT on Aug 9, 2011

I'm my own best friend.

I give myself a wink in the mirror and say, "Honey, you cool!"

If I get mad at me I talk to me about it. And me talks back.

It's important for conscious self and subconscious self to be friends and love each other.

Ask my Kahuna. That was one of the first things he taught me, to forgive myself and accept forgiveness from my self.

If the subconscious mind and the conscious mind can't love each other and get along, there's not a chance of making it with the Higher Self.

My kahuna taught me: The subconscious mind can open or block the way to communication with Higher Self.

Sub can also make you sick!!!

My kahuna taught me, it's a wise person who talks to herself and it's an even wiser person who talks back.

Hey, them guys walk on burning coals and never say ouch!

Yulan L.

3:26PM PST on Feb 4, 2010

Wow! Just what I need to do, right now in my life. I know this will make a shift in my aura, subconscious and subsuquently my external life. I can see this will be very powerful for me. I will get back to you. Thank you very much.

Nansee C.

1:27AM PST on Jan 31, 2010

wow. i've been thinking this whole time to write a love letter to someone special to me, and it never once crossed my mind that i should give a little love to myself too. thanks.

Jonn N.

12:19PM PST on Jan 29, 2010

Every now and again and when I feel the need arises, I simply take a moment and write myself a letter. It is during these difficult times, that writing thoughts to myself, eases my pain and makes life bearable.

Teresa W.

2:47AM PST on Dec 27, 2009

I hope she doesn't propagate masturbation....