For a long time, I felt embarrassed by all the things that felt heavy on my heart in my 20s. I thought something was wrong with me because I felt lonely in my singleness. I thought I was the only one who struggled with the way I looked - worrying about what I ate and how much I exercised. I wondered if anyone else yearned to have best friends in their new cities - thinking someone forgot to tell me that making friends after college can be pretty hard.
I wondered if the girls around me, who had husbands and houses and babies, felt like they had it all figured out.
I now know that they don't have it all figured out. Nobody does. And as I sit here at 30, reading applications for The Letter Project from women around the US who have felt this way for much of their lives, I understand now, more than ever, that we must bind together. We must pour into one another, speaking truth and reminding each other that we are good, we are OK, we are beautiful. We are enough.
Sometimes in the early mornings, when it's dark and I'm taking my first sips of coffee, I read letter requests and tears stream down my face. I read about a girl in middle school, who just wants one best friend. I read about a nine-year-old girl who was diagnosed with Epilepsy and is scared. I read about a six-year-old who just moved across the country and doesn't know if people will like her haircut.
And then, I read letters from our volunteers. Women who have been there - who get it. Who understand that life can be lonely and we all want one best friend. Who have dealt with Epilepsy intimately and understand how scary those doctors' appointments can be.
I am overwhelmed by the power of their words - of women who get it and who want to pour into the next generation of girls.
Today, I am honored to share that another woman who gets it - who cares about building people up and spreading confidence and joy - is joining forces with The Letter Project.
The amazing Erin Condren donated the most beautiful box of supplies to our cause. She sent return address labels, stationery, compliment cards, pens, journals and her (stunning!) LifePlanner.
Erin is all about celebrating, not just scheduling, each day. I love her attitude toward being fearless in the pursuit of our passions, practicing gratitude and building one another up. Her products serve as daily mantras - grounding statements - that remind us to be present and intentional. I'm honored to receive her donation and share her products with y'all!
Her LifePlanner is what a planner's dreams are made of. The thick paper, the organized layout, the watercolor, ah, the details!
Thanks to her, each letter recipient will receive compliment cards inside their letters. We're also seriously equipped to send beautiful bundles, with return address labels and stationery to stick inside.
And! Our amazing volunteers will be eligible to win her LifePlanner when they write letters this month (and you can enter, too!).
To enter to win the LifePlanner, please do one of the following:
1. Sign up to write letters. By being a writer, you'll automatically be entered to win the LifePlanner. With each letter written from now until December 10, you'll receive another entry. We'll also periodically give away the journals and pens, so be sure to stick around. :)
OR
2. Nominate someone to receive a bundle of letters. With each person nominated between now and December 10, you'll receive an entry as the nominator.
OR
3. Refer a friend to write letters. Each person that puts your name in "how did you hear about us?" box will be an entry for you!
OR
4. Share The Letter Project on social media. Tag us on Instagram (@toloveourselves) or Facebook (@To Love Ourselves) and be sure to use the hashtag #PTLOLetterProject so we can see your posts.
We want this to be simple, with lots of ways to enter. If you feel super inspired and want to do all of the above, each one will be an additional entry.
If you're not interested in writing letters, but love her products, you can receive $10 off an order with this referral link.
Thank you for helping spread the word!
All photos in this post were taken by my amazing friend, Lindsey. She's still building her website, but, fellow Atlantans, if you need pictures for your blog (or life) she's the bomb :)
