Gratitude & Letting Go - Day 6

I hope you've continued a running list of gratitude and letting go. If not, take a minute to revisit your list and add anything new that has come up for you over the past week. I hope you have a nice long list started here. I also wonder if, along with all of the people and other gifts you are thankful for, you've added any piece of yourself in that list? When is the last time you gave thanks for yourself?


Now this is going to be a weird exercise. Weirder for some more than others, but still pretty different for most of us. Today, I want you to take some time to write yourself a thank you letter. Or, if you're really brave, talk to yourself in the mirror.

Remember,  no one else will read this letter unless you choose to share it. No one else will hear you talking to yourself. No one is there to refute or judge or list the wonderful things for you. It's all about you working it out for you.

Think of the times you've surprised yourself with strength, or grace. Think of moments you've made yourself laugh, or came up with a new idea. Remember that time when you were in sixth grade and stood up to that bully who had you cornered? Good for you! Remember how you were able to put aside that thing you wanted to do so you could be with a friend who was having a bad day instead? Thank yourself for that too! What are the ways you see and feel things that you take for granted because... they're just you? What about your ability to try new things, understand science, or get good grades? Thank you for being you! Thank yourself for the ability to read and understand big concepts. Thank yourself for your patience or strength in a time of pain and weakness.

Or what about the ways your body takes care of you? If it's too hard to thank yourself for being you, focus on thanking a part of yourself, like your feet...

Thank you feet, for holding me up all day long, taking me from place to place.
Thank you feet, for bearing with my fashion sense, cramming into those beautiful shoes for a few hours so I look my best.
Thank you feet, for the life you've carried me through.

Thanking yourself for who you are isn't the same as being full of yourself or conceited. It's an opportunity to recognize who you were made to be, who you have become, and appreciate it. This might be really hard for some of you. Instead of things about yourself to be grateful for, you might find yourself going too all of the things you wish you could change. If that's the case, start with something little. Find one thing about yourself to thank yourself for. If that doesn't work, then think of one person who has shown you love. What would they say to you? Let their perspective get you started. Once you have that one thing, or one person, that's it. Let that be your one thing for today and then try again another time.

If thanking yourself is actually pretty easy to do, then write yourself an epic love letter. What are all the things you need to hear? Just have fun with it.

As you practice gratitude for yourself, practice letting go of the self-judgment you walk around with every day. Let go of the outside expectations to be someone else. Give thanks for the person you have and will spend your entire life with - You.

Let me know what this was like for you in the comments or email reply. Was it a difficult task? I'd love to hear all about it!