The Power of Your Inner Wisdom: Letters from Your Future Self

Next time you're having trouble making a big decision, or stressed about things outside your control, try this.

In life and in business we all have times when things outside of our control cause us stress.

Most of us will knowingly admit that there are few things in life that we can control. However, putting this into practice under the pressures of life remains difficult. It is all too easy to get upset or spiral over something you know you can’t change.

What we can change his how we react to a situation, how we frame a situation in our mind, and the attitude we have toward it.

Next time you’re feeling stressed or anxious about how something is going to turn out, or about making a tough decision, try this – write a letter to yourself from your future self.

Think about this for a moment, you have survived all your past hard days. You have come out the other side of every dark tunnel. If you could go back and talk to your past self during those challenging times, what would you say?

This is your chance to have hindsight in the present moment. You can choose to believe that everything is going to work out for you, because your evidence from your past makes it easy to know that you are going to be okay.

I’m not suggesting that you adopt a toxic blind optimism and avoid your feelings and fears under the veil that everything will be great no matter what! Not at all. It is important to be honest with yourself about how you are feeling, to allow those feelings to be seen and felt and then released. The key is to not dwell on negative emotions once you have expressed them.

This practice can also help you to become more neutral about the outcome at hand. As you reflect on how everything in your life so far has led you to where you are now, you may be reminded that you have to take the difficult times with the joyful ones in order to lead a healthy and fulfilled life.

Calling upon your future, wiser self can be really comforting. You can see how your future self will have maybe learned some hard lessons, but they are better for it, and they are eager to give you guidance.

For example, here is a letter I wrote from my future self at a time when I was feeling stuck and needed some encouragement.

Hello beautiful Rosie,

I am sending you this note from the future to let you know that everything works out in your favor. I give you permission to be happy and fulfilled now. Life is so precious, and I encourage you to be more present in it now! Be where you are.

I know you have been feeling some stress and pressure around family dynamics and what the future brings there. You don't need to worry.

Allow yourself to feel your feelings as they come up, but do not attach your identity to your feelings. Focus on what feels good right now - reach for the best feeling thought you can find.

Pray and think about those you love being happy and at peace. Quietly expect the best for them, and watch it come. DO the same for yourself and Scott. Quietly, yet enthusiastically except the best for yourselves. Expect that once you have gotten clear about what you want and set the intention for it, that it is on its way to you. Do not focus on the "how." Remain focused the "why".

Continue to think about how the Rosie you aspire to be spends her time. How does she speak? How does she love people? What is her inner dialogue like? What is on her calendar? Take any action you can to add these things to your life now. Use them to replace the parts of you that are no longer in alignment with your desires.

Continue to take inspired action when you feel called to do so. Take every opportunity to give love when you have the capacity to do so - allow yourself to receive love just as often. Gracefully tell people how you really feel, tell them the truth.

Keep your relationships and your community a priority in your life. Your relationships have a huge impact on the quality of your life.

You are well on your way. Keep the faith. Get clear on your desire and expect it to come - allow it to come. But know it will not solve your problems - continue to find ways to be happy now. Life is beautiful.

xoxo,

Rosie

Writing this letter, and then reading it on days when I am feeling low, helps me to feel connected to the life I am dreaming of and working towards.

Remember, when facing uncertainty, try to focus on the best possible outcome. It may feel a little strange the first time you do this exercise, so try not to overthink it. You may surprise yourself with the wisdom you already have inside you.