Have you ever considered writing a letter asking for forgiveness - not to another person, but to a part of yourself?
While we often think about forgiveness in terms of our relationships with others, turning that compassionate lens inward can be a powerful exercise in self-reflection and healing. This unique approach allows us to gain new perspectives on our insecurities and identify opportunities for positive change.
In this post, I'll share my experience writing a letter to a part of my body I struggled to accept, demonstrating how this process can lead to profound insights and personal growth.
By addressing a physical feature we're unhappy with, we open a dialogue with ourselves that can reveal deep-seated emotions and beliefs. This exercise isn't about achieving instant self-love, but rather about understanding the complex relationship we have with our bodies and ourselves. As you read my letter, consider how this technique might help you explore your own feelings and foster a more compassionate relationship with yourself.
Dear Tummy,
I am sorry that I did not look after you properly, I am sorry ignored you and took you for granted. I realise now I had thought you were there purely to support me and that you were self-sufficient, I had not appreciated that you have needs too. I feel bad about that and I do not blame you for what you did to me. I think you put up with a lot for a long time. I take responsibility for my actions and I promise I am going to make amends. I hope we can forgive each other.
Looking back, I can imagine how it must have felt when I seemingly paid some interest but only for the sake of appearances. Did I get your hopes up just to realise I spent time because I cared about how you looked, not how you felt? That is probably why you did not give me what I wanted, I did not deserve it, although in my eyes I had made an effort and you had given me nothing or very little in return. Once again, I was disappointed with you as you probably were with me.
I can see that over the years I have tortured you, poisoned you, neglected you and yet still expected you to keep on showing up and performing. I am sorry, will you forgive me and let me make it up to you?
I didn’t prioritise you, not even over things I didn’t really want to do. I quite literally put you last and then complained when I felt you had let me down. I have hated you at times, been disgusted with you, ashamed of you and all the while if I just spent some time getting to know you I would have seen just how much you do for me every minute of every day. Perhaps then I could have been more grateful and less affected by the opinions of others or even my perceptions of their views. I could have loved you for who you are and what you do and not repeatedly judged you solely by your appearance. You are so much more than that, I have wasted valuable time.
But I am here now, and I am ready to listen to everything you have to tell me. I want us to work together and be the best we can be – whatever that looks like. I am going to spend time getting to know you, understand how you work, what you like and don’t. We are going to spend time outside, we will walk, cycle and maybe even run. We will enjoy nature and appreciate the sunshine. We will work in harmony, I will notice your stress, strains, aches and pains and I promise I will stop and I will give you time to rest and recover, I won’t demand you find some extra energy or one last push. I will nourish you with good food and plenty of water. I will go to bed at a reasonable time and wake up alert and refreshed. I will stretch in the mornings and meditate before breakfast, I will sit properly and be aware of my posture. I will move more, breathe better, and live life fully.
I see you now, I feel you, I know that together we are stronger, mind, body and soul. I love you body, thank you for everything you have done for me and for giving me this opportunity to do better. I am listening and ready to learn.
I love you,
Helen x
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