Dear Ana...

I read this post over at Darling Magazine just now, and was completely inspired to do what the post asked of me: write a letter to my inner child...

 

Dear Ana,


Hi. You most likely don't care too much to read a letter from your future self, because you're a rambunctious girl that likes to do things her own way with no help from anyone. I know you're headstrong, bossy, and a little defensive with most people because you feel like you have to be your own protector. Growing up seeing divorce, custody wars, re-marriages, abusive words, jealousy, and anger has been pretty trying for you and your little brother Bobby. 


But I want you to know that the walls you've built around you not only keep out enemies, but your friends and family that love you.


You don't need walls to keep out pain, because the pain you fear won't haunt you forever. There's someone that takes your sorrows and turns them into gladness...which I'm pleased to say, you will embrace as truth when you're at the ripe age of sixteen (Eek! I can't wait for you to experience this!).


But for now, try not to worry so much about your little brother and how he will get along in life, or how you have to be the 'class clown' because you'll be accepted by kids at school, or wonder when your family will be 'normal' like everybody else's. 


Just be your beautiful little self that loves to play solitaire with a real deck of cards (none of that computer non-sense), read the newspaper comics everyday, play baseball in the field with all the neighborhood boys, daydream about your future husband who we will call "E", and of course all the great laughs you share with your best friend Crystal. 


I love you little Ana. You really are a gem.


Love, 
Ana



I encourage you to do the same! Write a letter & connect with your inner child as suggested by Lauren Lax:

Somewhere along the way in life, our inner child gets lost amidst the hustle and bustle of obligations, stress, deadlines and worries. We grow up, and unfortunately there is no magical fairy dust to make us stay young forever. But today, as a young adult, I have discovered that there are many ways to reconnect with my inner child, even though birthday candles may tell me otherwise.

After you are finished writing your letter, check out these fun ideas for reconnecting with your inner-child below below. Or feel free to create some for yourself…

• Wear mis-matched socks, or a top that doesn’t match your skirt or pants. Dare to be fun and crazy—free your inner child fashionista to shine.
• Climb a tree and read a book in its branches, or do cartwheels in the park.
• Dance and sing along to songs from your youth—be it boy bands, Spice Girls, rock and roll, or 90’s hits.
• Laugh with your friends until your belly hurts.
• Go to your local library or bookstore and pick out a couple of your favorite kid books to sit and read in the store.
• Watch your favorite Disney movie from the past.
• Eat like a kid for a day—PB&J, mac and cheese, Eggo waffles, Lucky Charms, whatever you loved when you were young and carefree.