They say that hindsight is 20/20. If so, who better to tell you about your past than your former self? Even if writing yourself a letter might seem silly at first, it can actually provide you with profound and honest insights on your progress as a person. It can also create "conscious awareness around your behaviours and patterns," according to clinical psychologist Dr. Nicole LePera. A letter to your future self is like a gift. It harnesses your self-awareness and gives you an intimate perspective of your dreams and values at a certain period of time in your life in a way that no other person can. To inspire you to write your own, here are some members of #TeamClozette's open letters to their 2030 selves.
Dear 2030 Abby G., I have high hopes for you...
Dear 2030 Abby,
I write from the year 2020. This year is not the best time for almost everyone given the current situation but I’m still fighting and not giving up on following our dreams. As much as I can, I still strive to be an inspiration to others. During these difficult times, I've come to realise how important it is to be grateful and to thank God for all His blessings. I hope you will not forget to also express gratitude in the future.
Content Solutions Manager Abby writing a letter to her 2030 self.
By now, you're already 36 years old. I can imagine that, surely, life is different from how it is today. By 2030, I hope you’re reading this while you’re enjoying your vacation in Paris with your own family. I believe you’re already a successful businesswoman who is enjoying her best life.
With all the struggles encountered this year, I'm now more socially aware and therefore more capable to be the best I can be as a human being. I believe and hope that the world you're living in now is a much better place. 2030 Abby, I have high hopes for you. Please don't let me down.
Love,
Your old self
Dear future April, you're tougher than you give yourself credit for...
Dear future me,
Are you there? It's you, from a decade ago. 2020 has been an awfully strange year, to say the least. If I'm being honest, I have absolutely no inkling as to what I will be like in the future. A lot has happened in the past 12 months. Between coping with significant changes in how we live (no thanks to the pandemic, as you may know) and dealing with multiple major health incidents in the family, I cannot deny that anxiety is perhaps the key constant underpinning this trip around the sun, as pessimistic as it sounds. Still, you go on and find joy in little things.
A snap from one of Community Head April's happiest moments this year — her wedding anniversary.
By the time you read this, I hope you're already able to look back on these times with positive feelings, thinking that in the grander scheme of things, 2020 really hasn't been so bad and that you really are tougher than you give yourself credit for. With any luck, the friends I've weathered this storm with are still doing life with you, and if they are — be grateful for them.
Love,
You.
P.S. In case you still haven't broken that stress shopping habit, empty your cart. Now.
Dear future Stephanie, I hope you're now a wise woman...
Dear future Stephanie,
Hello from 2020! This year is not like any other as we are currently in a pandemic. At this time, I feel fear and stress constantly. Although I did not lose anyone to COVID-19 (knock on wood), the fear is always there. On the other hand, I'm grateful that we still found ways to connect and care for family and friends by sending food packages. I hope that in the future you still find the time to do thoughtful gestures such as this, always remembering to show love and spending time with our loved ones.
I also hope that you now have a little more grace to not be too hard on yourself and may you always remember to relax and take a break when necessary. 2030 me, I wish you have better time management. Right now, it is really hard for me to juggle between work, friends, spouse and family time. So I'm hoping that you have now learned the secret to work-life balance.
Campaign Manager Stephanie enjoying the only vacation she took in 2020.
Future Stephanie, may you continue to surround yourself with people who keep you grounded because this is very important for our mental health. I'm hoping that you are now a wiser woman who is able to give sound advice to younger people. May you be a living proof that all the failures and heartbreaking moments in one's life are just a stepping stone to something better. Finally, by 2030 I'm hoping that humanity will look back at this year as the time when everyone pulled through hard times together. And by that time, may the world be a more peaceful one.
Love,
Steph of 2020
Dear Vania in 2030, focus on living your best life...
Dear Vania in 2030,
Greetings from the past! As I’m writing this, the year 2020 is coming to an end, and as always during each year-end, I've been doing a lot of self-reflection. This time around, the reflections are a little deeper and there are more things to consider. The year started out pretty well — goals were set and I've laid down the plans step by step on how to achieve them. If you can remember, you basically lived the "hustle life" and did not have much time to spend with your loved ones or even yourself, so when the pandemic hit and we were all in total lockdown, it was really a huge blessing in disguise since you were forced to take a break.
More time for yourself indoors meant more time to think and reflect even more as life values and principles came into the light again. Among the many things that resurfaced during these "thinking sessions" were reminders to always be kind, considerate and compassionate — all of which, I hope you still hold true in 2030.
The importance of health, although it has always been a priority, has become even more important this year not just for yourself but for family members. I’ve been trying to cultivate better eating habits as it went downhill ever since lockdown and I've also been trying to get my parents to somewhat try new healthy alternatives. There's not much of progress with the latter but I do hope that over the years they have improved and are still in good health.
Another plus point is that the family has gotten a little more close-knitted this year, which is nice. By the time you’re reading this, I would assume that you’ve got your hands full with a family of your own. Honestly, I can’t imagine myself being a working mum and wife right now but I am sure you’re doing a kick-ass job. Do remember, though, to take occasional breaks since you have a very high tendency to overwork yourself.
Social Media Manager Vania in 2020 writing a letter to her future self.
Lastly, don’t be so hard on yourself; give yourself more credit for the things that you’re currently juggling with — motherhood is already a job on its own and you’re also still pursuing your own goals and passion. Forgive yourself for any wrong turns that you’ve taken and just focus on living your best life with the people you love.
Love,
Vania in 2020
Dear 2030 Evon, I wish you the best of luck...
A letter to my future self,
2020 was a challenging yet life-changing year for us. COVID sent everyone’s lifestyle upside down. Be it adapting to remote working, restrictions imposed by the government and being unable to travel and go on vacations, it's a very much mentally draining situation. Thankfully, our long-awaited wedding did happen (before sh*t hit the fan) in February as planned, and it was as magical and beautiful as everyone envisioned. I hope that by 2030 you still remember how magnificent it was.
In her letter to her future self, Integrated Solutions Manager Evon reminds 2030 her about this magnificent moment.
Well, I have learned this year that the good always outweighs the bad and the support from friends and family around you matters. In hard times, don’t just focus on what went wrong — always see the better side of things and move towards that direction. Coupled with the support and encouragement of your loved ones, there is nothing that is going to be too hard to conquer. And never, ever let anyone that is filled with negativity and sense of self-righteousness affect your mood and mental wellness.
As you turn 37, I hope you're looking forward to spending quality time with your husband in the place we call home; still being our wacky-ass selves, holding, supporting and loving each other the same way we do now. Perhaps you may already have kids now. Whatever the future holds, 2030 me I wish you the best of luck.
Sincerely,
Evon of the past
Dear Abby S. in the future, let go of the hope for a better past...
Dear Abby,
At this very moment, you are a bright, young yoga teacher. But how you envisioned your first year of teaching was nothing like what they prepared you for in training. Even so, you always found ways to stay grounded and true to the reason why you teach — to make fitness fun and accessible through yoga. You still struggle between wanting to help brands develop content and wanting to pursue fitness full-time. But I think we both know what gives you the most joy and I hope you're living that truth.
To my future self, I hope you still have quiet times to reflect on the things that give you the greatest happiness. Whether you're still a content girl or surprisingly a fitness superstar or a humble yogi with a calligraphy business, I hope what you're doing provides you with constant opportunities to learn. I hope you are unapologetic with your vision. And I hope you're finally going on runs every morning. Haha!
Social Media Manager Abby hopes for her future self to have a life filled with joy and purpose.
Wherever you are in life, I know you may be thinking, "If I knew this sooner, I would have progressed faster in my career." But stay true to what you always tell your students at the start of every class: "Let go of the hope for a better past. Whatever is for you will meet you at the most perfect time."
All my love,
Abby from 2020
Next, learn about the quirky Christmas traditions of Team Clozette.
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