I Watched My Younger Self Walk Away

Title: I Watched My Younger Self Walk Away**

Subtitle: A Fictional Letter to the Child I Used to Be**

Dear Little Me,

I saw you today.

You were standing at the edge of the playground, your shoes muddy, your hands in your pockets, your eyes wide and full of dreams. You looked like you were waiting—for something, or someone, maybe even me.

You didn’t see me watching. I wanted to walk over, kneel down, and say, “Hey, I remember you.”

But I didn’t. I just stood still… and watched you walk away.

And now, I want to say all the things I never got to tell you.

You Were Always Enough

Little one, I know you tried hard—too hard—to be good.

You said “yes” when you wanted to say “no.”

You stayed quiet when something hurt you.

You smiled even when you felt like crying.

You thought being “good” meant being small. Being quiet. Being easy to love.

But let me tell you something: **You were always enough.**

You didn’t have to shrink to fit someone else’s comfort. You didn’t need to earn love.

You were lovable just by being you.

Don’t Be Afraid to Dream Big

I remember your dreams—writing books, flying in planes, seeing new places, helping people.

Some of those dreams got lost.

Life happened.

People told us to be “realistic.”

We chose safe paths. We followed rules. We listened more to the fear than to the fire in our hearts.

But you were right all along.

Your dreams weren’t silly. They were the truth of who we are.

And slowly, I’m learning to chase them again—because of you.

They Lied When They Said You Were Too Much

Remember when they said you were “too emotional”?

“Too sensitive”?

“Too loud”?

They were wrong.

Your feelings were beautiful. Your laugh was magic. Your imagination was powerful.

You didn’t need to tone it down—you needed people who would turn the volume **up** with you.

But instead, you made yourself smaller.

You stopped asking questions. You stopped speaking up.

I wish I could go back and hold your hand. I’d whisper,

“Never stop being big. Your light is not a mistake.”

It’s Okay That You Were Scared

I know there were nights you cried under the covers, hoping no one heard.

You were scared of failing.

Scared of not being liked.

Scared of being alone.

And that’s okay.

Fear didn’t make you weak. It made you real.

But now that I’m older, I’ve learned something you didn’t know yet:

Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s walking forward even when fear walks with you.

You were braver than you ever knew.

I’m Sorry I Forgot You

There was a time I forgot you.

I got busy being an adult. I filled my days with emails, tasks, deadlines.

I stopped drawing. I stopped dancing. I stopped dreaming.

You faded in the noise.

And I’m so sorry.

You didn’t deserve to be forgotten. You were the best part of me. The softest, most hopeful part.

But I’m remembering now.

I’m starting to do the things we used to love.

I’m learning to laugh louder, to cry without shame, to believe in magic again.

Thank You for Not Giving Up

Even when the world told you to stop believing…

You held on.

Even when people didn’t understand you…

You kept loving them.

Even when everything felt hard…

You didn’t quit.

And because you didn’t give up—I’m here now.

Stronger. Softer. Wiser.

Still healing. Still growing.

But finally… finally becoming the person you always hoped I’d be.

If We Could Talk One More Time

If I could sit beside you, I’d wrap you in the biggest hug and say:

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re doing just fine.”

“Your kindness is a gift, even if some people take it for granted.”

“You’ll fall down. You’ll get hurt. But you’ll get back up, every single time.”

“You don’t need to have all the answers. Just keep asking the right questions.”

“And don’t forget—some of the best people come later in life. Just keep your heart open.”

I’d remind you to keep writing stories, singing in the shower, and drawing stars on your notebooks.

Because one day, those little things will matter more than you ever imagined.

I Watched You Walk Away…

And when I saw you disappear into the sunlight, I realized something.

You weren’t walking away.

You were walking forward.

You were leading the way.

And I’ve been following your footsteps all along—

Back to the version of myself that is true, wild, kind, and brave.

Thank you for never letting go of me.

Forever your future self

The grown-up you once dreamed about

(Still finding her way, but smiling more now)Final Thoughts

Sometimes, we lose ourselves as we grow up.

We try to fit into boxes. We try to please everyone. We try to survive.

But the child we used to be never leaves us.

They wait quietly, hoping we’ll remember.

And when we do… life becomes beautiful again.

So if you’re reading this, maybe it’s time to write your own letter.

To the child you were.

To the dreamer you still are.

Because sometimes, healing begins by simply saying: I am important for myself.