She Says: Letters to Myself
Alright, thanks so much for the input on the arm exercises. I would increase the weights because I don’t usually use 3lbs, but the point of that particular workout is low weights, more reps. so maybe I’ll add more reps. I just thought it was odd that I could barely lift my arms when I was done, but don’t seem to be sore a day or two after.
Moving on, you may have noticed I’ve been in a reflective mood lately. Bear with me. I’m sure it will pass.
Two things have got me thinking about my life ten years ago.
First, my ten year high school reunion is coming up. I know that probably shocks you as my youthful glow and exuberance did not place me at more than a day over 18 in your mind.
Second, and I am sorry for telling the blog world this mom, but my parents recently developed pictures from my high school graduation and post graduation summer vacation. Yes, it’s true, my parents still have film that hasn’t been developed from a decade ago. Anyway, in looking at the pictures and thinking about my reunion I couldn’t help but think about how I have changed over the years. I was so young, carefree and completely unaware of things like trans fat, white flour, high fructose corn syrup, splenda, diet coke, scales, US Weekly, reality television, bills, jobs, health insurance, law school loans, etc.
Most of my growth has been positive, but a part of me wishes I could have some of my 18 year-old self back — the confidence that comes with ignorance and inexperience. So, I thought about what my old self would tell the current me…
Dear Matured Heather,
You really need to smile a little more. You are way too hard on yourself. Live a little and eat a Snickers every once in awhile. You are good enough just the way you are. Oh yeah, what’s up with the ban on shorts? Your legs aren’t stubby and capri pants are not a good look for you. Work on that, please. Also, you have nothing to prove, so relax. I bet everything will work out as I’ve made excellent 5 and 10 year plans.
Love,
Young Heather
******
Dear Young Heather,
You are absolutely right, but I also want to tell you something. You need to be less judgemental. When you meet people, try to accept them for who they are. No, they won’t be perfect and no they might not end up being the best friend you ever had, but they are people and you need nice, kind, fun people in your life. Also, you have nothing to prove, so relax. Everything will work out even if life does not conform to your current plan.
Love,
Mature Heather
P.S. Hot pockets are gross. Stop eating them asap. No judgment.
The things we learn and the ways we change over the years are remarkable. We sometimes say that people can’t change, but isn’t change inevitable? I wonder where I will be in 10 more years and what my letters to myself will look like then. What would you say to yourself 10 or 5 years ago? What would (s)he say to the current you?
Alright I’ll share some eats.
After adding another 5.5 to the Pile on the Miles Challenge, I had a quick but favorite dinner. I had melted cheese on a Food for Life English Muffin. On one I had tomatoes and on the other I had Annie’s BBQ Sauce and red onions. The cheese is Land O’Lakes white American sliced thin. Best American cheese there is. Yum. I know it looks burnt, but that’s better. The top gets crispy and under is still melty. Try it.
If you’re like me, you like to have something sweet, usually in the form of chocolate, at night. When the urge to splurge strikes, I reach for an Adora Calcium Supplement (ha – that sounds like a cheesy commercial). They are yummy and are good for my bones. Now the key to not eating 18 of these is to remember their purpose: calcium. Each has 500 mg of calcium and that is as much as the body can take at once. So, eating anymore would just be a waste. Try it.
Tags: Back to Basics, BBQ sauce, cheese, english muffin, positivity, reflection
November 12th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Wow. You’ve totally got me thinking about that Letter To Young Kelly. What a cool way to look at things. MMMM I think this may inspire a future blog post for me. Thank you!
K
November 12th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Those are great letters to yourself, I like the little bit of humor too! I definitely agree with you though, some part of me WISHES that I could get back a little of that carefree, naive mindset I had just over 2 years ago. It’s amazing how much I’ve changed (mostly for the better), but it does tend to make one nostalgic.
Thanks for this post. Have a great night!
November 12th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Being refelctive is a good thing! What a great idea to write to your younger self. I really need to do that myself! Thanks for sharing your letters.
November 12th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Reflecting is such a good thing. Thanks for sharing such an awesome letter. Haha, it’s too cute about hot pockets!
November 12th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Wow… I’m at a very similar point in my life. My 10 year reunion is in a few weeks, and I’m not going. But that’s beside the point. I wish I could tell my 1997-1998 self that 150 lbs is a completely HEALTHY weight, stop eating the hot cookies, stop eating so many bagels, and ENJOY the healthy food mom cooks!
November 12th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I wonder exactly when the moment is that young women start thinking about switching to diet soda. It’s a very definite thing, don’t you think?
I really liked this post. Your honesty is just so… honest. Ha. But really.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Katie: It was when I lived with one particular roommate who was a D.C. addict. She got me hooked. haha. Now she’s off it and for the most part, so am I!
November 12th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
This is a really good idea. Writing letters to yourself, I mean. Isn’t it amazing what time can do? I really enjoyed reading this, Heather. I like how reflective you are – I think it’s really healthy that you can look at yourself that way.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
I can’t wear capri pants, either – I buy the short length in regular pants and still have to wear 3 inch heels. If I wear Capri pants they look like highwaters. I think the last time I wore shorts was junior high…
November 13th, 2008 at 12:17 am
Really interesting post!
Snickers > Hot Pockets
Hands down.
November 13th, 2008 at 12:25 am
I really enjoyed this post. It’s all so true and honest. My big regret was wasting so much time during my late teen/ early 20’s worrying and obsessing about my body. In retrospect, I looked fine but never felt like it. I wish I could take that back.
And don’t laugh but I occasionally STILL crave a Lean Pocket!
November 13th, 2008 at 1:28 am
I really like your reflective posts. They are thought provoking and interesting. I often find myself comparing me now with me a few years ago. I just graduated from college, and it’s amazing to see how much I have grown and matured. I actually think I’m happier and better adjusted now (goodbye teenage angst! haha)
Maybe I would like to write a letter to future Julia, to remind myself to live each day to the fullest so I can be the type of woman I want to be/admire!
Great post Heather!
November 13th, 2008 at 1:34 am
You’ve inspired me to write a letter to myself. I am going to keep it somewhere safe and open it in 10 years. What a great concept! Sometimes when I look through old diaries, I reflect the same way you did. It was very interesting to read your then and now thoughts – thanks for sharing!
I love your mug! I have yet to try those adora disks, but they sound very tasty.
November 13th, 2008 at 1:35 am
I like this post. You just reminded me that I have a letter to old me somewhere at my parents’ house. I should really find that. Next time I’m in Jersey I’ll try to remember…
I like your message to young Heather and I totally agree. I’m only 22 but I could give 18 year old me so much advice about not being judgemental and just appreciating things.
November 13th, 2008 at 1:45 am
wow what a great reflective post, man I have some thinking to do. My ten year is coming up too!!!!!
November 13th, 2008 at 2:05 am
I agree this is a great reflective post! I’d probably tell my younger self to stop being so sad. That life gets better sooner than you know it! I’d tell my older self, You’re so lucky. haha
November 13th, 2008 at 2:52 am
I love this post…the letters were sweet and funny and thought provoking. It’s funny that you think of your teenage self as more confident than your current self. For me, it’s the opposite. My 18-year-old self was so self-conscious! I think I would tell her that she looks and thinks exactly the way she is supposed to and that she will meet people who appreciate those things about her very, very soon. I think my high school self would tell my current self that the world is full of possibility and there is no need to box myself in.
Thanks for giving me my food for thought of the day!
November 13th, 2008 at 2:57 am
I love the idea of a letter to yourself. I’ll remember that idea for a rainy day.
November 13th, 2008 at 8:05 am
those are lovely letters to oneself, I think everyone should write one. I’m in your age and completely understand what you mean. 10 years passed so quickly, I can still remember clearly what I’ve been doing when I was 18. I was so different in many aspect but I think the essence was the same even though in that moment wasn’t clear to me. There is a chinese proverb that says: when you’re 8, people can already imagine how would you be when you’re 80. I know that people change, and most of time for better, but our essence will continue to be the same, just more adapted to our environment
And I like you being reflective these days…..it’s good to pace ourselves and look/feel what’s happening inside us.
November 13th, 2008 at 8:09 am
What a great idea writing a letter to yourself. I’m going to do the same. I think it’s important to take the time to be reflective. Thanks for the idea!
November 13th, 2008 at 8:22 am
What a hilarious post. I love that your parents just found that film and actually developed it. It’s a great idea to write a letter to your younger self and have your younger self write one back.
November 13th, 2008 at 8:37 am
I LOVE the “letters to myself” idea!!
November 13th, 2008 at 9:32 am
I love those letters to yourself! Very deep
I know I’ve changed a lot in the last 10 years, but I don’t know what I would say to the old self… I think she’ll learn on her own 
Land ‘o Lakes white american cheese is totally the best American cheese! And the burnt part is yummy, I agree.
And… I keep adora disks at my desk for a chocolatey dessert. I remember to eat only 1 because they are supplements, not chocolate (but they do taste like the real thing). Sometimes this sends me on the search for more real chocolate though
Most of the time it does the trick 
Have a great day!
November 13th, 2008 at 10:03 am
What a great idea…I wish I could have written a billion letters to my 18-year old self. So much time wasted obsessing about my weight and the size of my clothes…I kind of “worried” my early 20’s away. I’m telling myself that is one good thing about getting older (I prefer “more mature”).
I just had my 10 year reunion, too! Gosh, I remember thinking by the time it came around, I’d have all my s*&^ together. Ha!
November 13th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Wow, lets see 10 years ago I was a Freshmen in high school and scared to death. I was scared about what kind of person I was going to be, I was scared I was never going to get a boyfriend, I was scared I did not have enough friends, I was just always scared. But in my scaredness I also had hope in the back of my mind. The hope that I would have all of those things and the hope for a great future. What do I think my 14 year old self would do if she saw me now? I think she would be proud. I’m not scared anymore, in fact I am confident. I still have hope for the future and I think that feeling of hope grows stronger every day as I embrace the future.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Oh my goodness, you are adorable! I love the letters to yourself
Are the Adora things vegan?
November 13th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Hey. It took me a while to respond to this post because, well, I’ve been reflecting. I agree with all of you about how much better we are now, not worrying about body image anymore and stuff like that. My most adult moment of clarity came when I was 25 (maybe a bit too late but oh well). I was making wedding preparations with my family and I don’t remember the conversation exactly, but my father said to me, “Beth, it doesn’t matter what other people think… it’s about what makes you happy.” I think I should have known that by then, but that was really the first time I really acknowledged it as true. That statement has resonated with me since then and I often remind myself of it. Honestly, knowing/living by this has changed my life. Thanks dad and HP!
November 13th, 2008 at 10:43 am
I’ve enjoyed your reflective posts
I wish I could get quite a bit of my high school self back…I don’t even know what I weighed then, but I wasn’t self-conscious about my body at all. I didn’t eat quite as healthy as I do now, but I enjoyed every minute of life (well, besides the ones where I was being a dramatic teenager) and didn’t worry about how many grams of sugar were in all those Applebee’s strawberry lemonades my friends and I were drinking…ahhhh, simpler times.
I love the Adora calcium supplements too- I don’t have any problem over-indulging in them because they’re pretty expensive! If I want another one, I just remind myself that the little bag I have was $9.99 so I need to make them last.
November 13th, 2008 at 11:47 am
LOVE the letters to yourself. There are many things I wish I could have told my high school self, but I’m pretty happy with the way things turned out… so maybe the awkward teen years were just a really good learning experience. Probably could have done without the hideous bangs, though. Yikes.
Hahaha at the Hot Pockets comment
November 13th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Great post. I think about my high school self often too. I don’t know if the innocence of my younger years is better than where I am today or if it’s just different. Yes, I was probably more carefree with no bills to pay or health insurance to think about. But I was also probably less accepting of myself than I am today – though that I think is something that is a continuous journey.
November 13th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Heather, this post is sooo original. It’s funny reading it now…as I am 18 and cannot wait to grow up and be older. This post helped me realize to be more appreciative of my “young years”. Thanks!
November 13th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
hey, i’m going to my 10-year in a couple of weeks, too! i am sort of excited.
yes we are OLD!
November 13th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I think I would tell myself not to worry that you will figure out how to eat healthy, exercise, and loose weight in college, and that will make you break out of your shell! I have no desire to go back to 18
I’d LOVE to go back to junior year of college though…BEST TIME!!
November 13th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
I would tell my younger self that adults do have knowledge and wisdom, and it wouldn’t hurt to listen to them one in awhile. Oh, and that guy that broke your heart in 7th grade? You’ll meet others…haha it was like life or death back then huh??
November 13th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Great post! My 10 year reunion will be next year and I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately. I’m not sure that the Young Aimee would like the Mature Aimee, I need to find a way to fix that. So as always Heather, thanks for opening my eyes!!
November 13th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
This was a great post! I wish I could go back and tell myself to be happy with how I looked. I am going to write a letter to myself too now
November 13th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
LOL – love the letters to yourself – nice perspective!
November 13th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
My letter to my younger self would say, “Don’t worry. You’ll be pretty happy with yourself one day and you won’t care that you have small boobs.”
My letter to my older self would say, “Who are you and why do you drink so much?”
Great post as always!
November 13th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Dear Heather,
A calcium supplement is just not going to do it. Have a Snickers.
November 13th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Just wait until your 20th rolls around! Mine was 2 years ago already!
My 10th high school reunion was all about who had what job, what kind of car you had and where you lived. My daughter was 4 at my 10th reunion – and not many of my friends had kids then.
At my 20th, I was amazed at how many people had YOUNG children – like infants! My daughter was already in high school by my 20th!
But I like that I am a young mom – its just weird – some of Hannah’s friends parents are in the mid to late 50’s and I feel like I should say hi Mr. Smith!
But do smile more – it makes you feel good!
November 13th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
I love the reflective posts!! If I could write a letter to myself I think it would tell younger me to stop being so judgemental of others. I realize now that I did this because I was lacking in self-confidence though… which thankfully I have taken care of!
November 13th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I love that letter idea! I have a lot of comments to 18 year old Amy (even if my 10 year reunion has come & gone).
November 13th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Heather, you are TRULY a gift to the world!!!!
I loved this post so much. It was brilliant. Your original flashes of humor and insight are always appreciated.
Are we totes the same age?!?!?! I’m class of ‘99. Dear god!
November 13th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
i love how you guys make me think! but wow, my 10yr reunion would be next year, too…
November 13th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
These comments were so interesting to read! I am glad that so many of you connected with this post and even more happy to hear that you are feeling more at ease with yourselves as the years have past.
I hope you do write those letters. I wish I could collect them and keep them in a book!
Oh yeah, I am the class of ‘98!
November 14th, 2008 at 1:12 am
[...] is inspired by Heather at Hangry Pants’ post today. She blogged about how she wished she could write a letter to her younger [...]
November 14th, 2008 at 8:35 am
This is such an interesting/ great idea, thank you so much for my post.
I kind of wish I had written letters to my future self at milestones like entering high school, graduating high school/ entering college, graduating college, getting married, etc. It would be so interesting to look back at all those times, see who I was and just how I’ve changed. Esp. right now when I know how much I’ve been changing lately, and how much change I’m sure is still left in my future. 
And it would be SUCH a great idea to collect “letters to my future self” and “letters to my younger self” from a bunch of random, normal people and publish them in a book.
November 17th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Great post (I’m a little behind…). You’ve got me thinking, and I am definitely in need of some self-reflection and letters to new and old me. Its too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle of life and lose sight of the big picture…
May 16th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
[...] about from Tina. I was super excited because I love them and ate them quite a bit when I was living at home and my mom bought the [...]
June 17th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
[...] won’t compare myself to others anymore. It’s something I’ve been working on since writing a letter to myself in [...]