TikTok is asking the popular question “If you could talk to your 8-year-old self, what would the conversation look like?

Many individuals have met this challenge by talking to a younger version of themselves while showing images of that age. Some people find this to be great, as many amazing memories sink in. For others, a sense of remorse may be felt. Perhaps they will not believe they actually said something, or might even wonder what would have happened if they had not done something.

Yet for others, talking to your younger self can help with personal growth and development. Many of us can see the accomplishments we have made over the years, and we can value them. If you find yourself thinking this way, there is great news. When you talk to your younger self, it can help you develop the skills you need to be kinder to yourself right now.

 

One of the best ways you can support the love you have for yourself is by talking to your younger self. (1) 

Anna Mathur, a UK-based psychotherapist and author remarks that speaking to your younger self can help individuals value their achievements and expose their aspirations.

Mathur told Teen Vogue that fostering a relationship with ourselves in our youth version of ourselves can be unbelievably beneficial in obtaining a significant point of view as we age. By hearing the voice of our juvenile self, we can recognize how we truly feel.

She then went on to say many of us may feel the problems of our younger selves as immature, and consequently aren’t worthy of consideration. However, she states these concerns can assist us by revealing more compassion and awareness, which tend to get lost as we get older.

We often find the marvelous, younger renditions of ourselves get easily rejected,” Mathur also notes. Life becomes more complicated as we age. For this reason, we need to find methods to foster more compassion, tolerance, and genuineness.

Tina Mistry, a Ph.D. says “some psychologists propose that our inner child is one of multiple “selves” that comprise us.”  We can activate a different self when we establish a relationship with our younger selves, states Mistry. By taking part in this, we are allowed to recall how and why we might do the things we do today, as research suggests that our demeanor is frequently a consequence of reasoning patterns cultivated at a young age. By building a relationship with our old selves, we might be able to possess some of those characteristics of selecting, caring, and being merciful in our current lives.

We all view youth differently. Some view it as a beautiful portrait of easy days where there was lots of happiness, while others might believe they were very naive. Many criticize our younger versions, as we see our younger selves being more susceptible, needing, or too full of emotion. But Mathur says we can look back at our youth through new eyes, and possibly see a weakness differently. Admiring this weakness can help us deepen connections with those in our lives. This will allow you to see that you need solace and support in your life as well.

 

You may wonder how this connection is created. One effective way is to write a letter to your younger version. Or you can pretend that you are in the same room as your younger self, and have a conversation with them. You may find that having a picture hanging up from when you were in your youth helps to facilitate conversation. Mathur says you should provide your younger self with supportive words so she can remind you that you are doing an excellent job in life.

 

There are various things (2) you can tell your younger self. Some ideas may include:

• Never be scared to try new things.
• Be kind and caring to yourself first and foremost, and then to others.
• Take your time and enjoy life.
• Those who are jealous of you will never want you to succeed.
• There are times when you will be rejected.
• You are not everyone’s cup of tea, and that is OK.
• Use your money for experiences, not physical things.
• Positivity will take you a long way in life.
• Your attitude does matter.
• Your opinion of yourself matters the most.
• You are a strong person.
• Take one moment at a time.
• Be your biggest fan.
• Remember, rainbows often show up after the worst of storms.
• Do not ever stop loving yourself.

 

 

• https://candicewu.com/invite-your-younger-self-to-meet-your-present-day-self-self-love-note
• https://goodthingsaregonnacome.com/things-id-tell-my-younger-self/