Welcome to “Notes from My Journal,” a space on my blog where I share intimate reflections and heartfelt musings, inviting you to join me on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth. In this series of posts, you’ll find the raw emotions, lessons learned, and the beauty that unfolds when vulnerability meets ink.
A bit of back story…
Sometime in 2019, I participated in a group coaching session in which we were issued the following challenge: reconnect your heart and your head so that you could create more comfort and calm.
I wish I knew exactly who the coach so I could sing their praises but my memory fails me. What doesn’t fail me is my pack rat tendencies because, recently, I came across one of the exercises we did among a pile of papers in a desk drawer: a love letter to our head from our heart.
It’s been several years since this letter was written but, as I re-read it, I felt the heat build up in my face, tears well in my eyes, a tightness in my chest. So much of what I wrote still speaks to open wounds and half-healed scars.
Scars like those created on the paper through rips and folds that we were guided to place there.
Through the never-ending journey of self-discovery, I have come to trust that messages arrive when we most need to hear them. So, I am posting the words of this letter here. To remind my current and future self who may find ourselves wobbling from time to time. And for those of you for whom these words – or creative journaling exercises like this – resonate.
Letter text
Dearest Head,
You are too hard on us. You’ve been using our ears to hear criticism and fear. But we are so much more than what the world has told us.
Yes, your job is to keep us safe. To search for the evidence that we will and can survive in the face of chaos and danger. And look how well you’ve succeeded! We’re 42. We have a beautiful family and wonderful friends. And those have come in no small part because of your decisions and actions.
We have two master’s degrees and continue to search for more knowledge. And that is in no small part because of your drive and perseverence.
So for your role, I express my extreme gratitude. I feel blessed to be attached to you. To inhabit the same body as you.
I understand your fatigue. You are a diligent and determined work horse. And you deserve some rest.
I am happy, honored, and passionate about sharing the workload with you. I promise to always love and support you. I commit to sharing my feelings and intuition with you. I commit to helping you collect the evidence of our safety. And I will help you seek clarity in our vision so we can revice and thrive as a team.
We are no longer that little girl, head. No longer so we need to hide from other people’s anger or fear other people’s insecurities.
Today, dear head, our voice is powerful, loud, and honest. Together, we will show the world what compassion and love, empathy and consistency can do.
We are stronger together.
I could not imagine a better partner and friend to share this journey with.
Rest well, my friend. I’ve got your back!
💗 Heart
