Dear Self,
When you get that sad feeling…like you could cry at any second…you’re really just tired. Or getting sick. Trust me on this one.
You should unplug more often. Let “relaxing on the couch” be just that…not “sitting on the couch while also blogging and working and tweeting.” Your mind needs rest just as much as your body does.
Think before you speak - not just about what you say, but how you say it - because despite your intentions, sometimes your tone sounds really, well…snobby.
It’s okay that you run out of steam - physically and mentally - more quickly than others. Being fragile is not a weakness, but forcing yourself to be stronger than you are is.
Working hard is important, but depending on God is more important. All the work in the world doesn’t even come close to His ability to give you the desires of your heart.
Everything will work out. It always does. And if it doesn’t, who cares?
You don’t have a “type,” so stop saying that you do. The truth is that there’s really only one person who is your type, and it has nothing to do with his looks or even his personality. You’ll find that out soon enough.
Always remember to completely unplug the curling iron before you leave the house because if you don’t, you’ll wonder all day if you left it on.
Move to New York. You might not understand why right now, but you will. Ohhh you will.
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It’s okay that you’re so close to your family. It’s not weird, it’s a gift.
You need to start washing your jeans. It’s pretty gross that you rarely do.
Watch more movies. It’s good for you.
Sincerely, G
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Oh, and dear Katie,
You won my Love Grown Foods giveaway! 
Please email me at gracie(at)girlmeetslife(dot)com with your full mailing address. Congrats!
Enjoy your weekend, loves…
I hate washing my jeans, too. And I feel you on the “about to cry” thing. I just need to go to sleep!
That was really great, Gracie
I always feel guilty for running out of steam before others do, too, but it’s not necessarily a weakness.
You helped me realize it’s a reminder that I put my ALL into what I do:
at work
as home
as a mom
as a wife
as a daughter
as a friend
ETC. ETC.
wonderful post <3
Ha, the curling iron and jeans thing made me laugh out loud. Is it bad that I really only wash my jeans if I get food on them?? I don’t wear pants that often (more dresses and skirts, not just pantsless, lol) so I hate to wash them after one or two uses.
pssssst, over here! really quick, can you just change the title of this post to Note to Self & Emily? K great
Love this! I need to remember to think before I speak more often. Many times my tone is way off and it usually ends up with me and my bf in an argument. Gotta work on that one!
Aw, big hugs! I hope it doesn’t sound patronizing when I tell you you’re amazingly mature and self-aware for your age. And you’re right, it’s fine to feel fragile and sad sometimes, we all do. Just take some time for quiet and calm. I hope the weekend is enough to get you feeling relaxed and a little sunnier!
Washing jeans is overrated 😉 Take care of yourself girl!! Hopefully you can relax and unplug a bit over the long weekend!
Helen says
Maybe I need to write a letter to myself as well. I’m great at giving advice but never taking my own! Maybe by doing this I will actually take it onboard!
Helen
(how do you post your picture next to your comment?)
Gravatar.com!
Megan says
Thanks G! Your words are inspiring! Love
love, love this, pretty girl.
and I totally get that crying feeling when I’m low on sleep and/or getting sick.
you’re not alone!
Ha, I rarely wash jeans either. My mom used to get onto wearing them once and throwing them in the washer..so now I hardly do.
This post hit home for me big time - thanks so much for posting it! I’m starting law school and have had to re-adjust my workout (and relaxation) habits and it’s stressful! I also was certain I left my roommate’s hair straightener plugged in and drove back from a few blocks away only to see that it was off.
Sarah B. says
love love love this! i feel ya, girl. glad you decided to post this! three cheers for a loooong weekend-wohoo!!
What a nice post.. I am moving to the city today, actually, and sometimes have to remind myself to spend an hour here and there doing absolutely NOTHING.
Ahhh good luck w the move babe!!
What a fabulous post!! I needed to hear this today! For some reason I woke up this morning just feeling cranky and easily upset by things but the truth is: I’m just overtired. Once I get some rest I know I’ll feel better. And it’s nice to remember that God knows the man that is out there for us and is preparing him and us to meet each other… sometimes it’s just hard waiting! (PS. I have that panic every day about my straightener…)
Hey Gracie
Such an amazing and truly inspiring post! It was a post like none other 
I am absolutely in love with your blog already and only found it a short time ago. xoxo
Hi Meg! Wow, thanks so much for the kind words!!
xo
This is such a great post. I’m hoping you would be okay with me using the same format to write mytself a note?
Of course - go for it!
Emily @ Living & Learning says
love this post. all the lessons are so true & things that i’m learning as I go as well, which is what I dedicate part of my blog too. It’s always nice to have these reminders to read again when we begin to lose sight of them.
Anna says
This made me cry. Probably need a nap! Thank you so much Gracie!!
Amanda says
“Working hard is important, but depending on God is more important. All the work in the world doesn’t even come close to His ability to give you the desires of your heart.”
This is exactly what I needed to read today. Seriously, God is so faithful.
Amanda, that makes me so happy. God IS so faithful!!
I used to get the ‘about to cry at any moment’ thing at uni when I was stressed - it was horrible! I’d cry over the stupidest things like the knife making a whole in my toast while I was trying to butter it! Nightmare!
Alex @ fightcancerwithfood says
“Who cares”
yesyesyes.
And I totally would wash my jeans more, if only they then didn’t have that just-washed-jeans feeling. Hate that!
love this one.. and you didn’t have to be nervous about that post. totally spot on, We can all relate. And I think it’s such a gift to have a tight knit family.. don’t know what I would do without mine… so “who cares”.. just live, eat, sleep, love.. and blog
Stephanie @ LoveLaughterLight says
You are so wise for a youngin’! 😀
Thank you for another wonderfully thoughtful post to make me take stock of what really matters.
PS-I’d love to live in NYC one day!
I should print this out and read it to myself every day. Seriously. I relate to so much of what you said in here. Love it.
love this! so inspirational to read at the beginning of a new month
have a lovely weekend! xo
Alba&Dilek @TwoBaklavaStory says
Oh Gracie, this is a great post! I totally agree with you! Sometimes we do sound more snobby than we intend and it’s easier to act that way to people that are closer to us and those are the people that we care the most!
The jeans issue! hahahah jeans never look dirty! Whenever I use public transportation I always make myself wash them though thinking of how many people placed their behinds on the same seat as me!
Love this!
I totally need to unplug more often too. Ever since I started blogging, all my relaxing time has turned into blogging time. I feel like I never watch tv or movies anymore! 😛
I love this post..I wish I could ‘like’ each one of those!
This is wonderful. I wrote a letter to my self today… of a little bit different kind 😉
debbie says
I love this note to yourself. I should write myself letters more often.
Dear Gracie,
You are beautiful. I love your willingness to be so honest and vulnerable and share your story with so many people. No one can be perfect, but everyone can share their story and gifts with others-something you do.
Love,
Sarah
Sarah! Thank you so much for this comment. It truly means more to me than you know…
xoxo
Jessica @ Jessica Balances says
Beautiful post… probably my favorite of yours, ever!
I especially love: “It’s okay that you run out of steam – physically and mentally – more quickly than others. Being fragile is not a weakness, but forcing yourself to be stronger than you are is.”
TRUE THAT. xoxo
Wow, thanks so much Jessica!
I know this says ‘note to SELF’ but I’m pretty sure it’s also meant to be CC’d to me. Thanks for this. I’m with you 100%!
I think this “note to self” is fabulous and applies to us all! I know I def need to take a step back and breathe but sometimes it’s hard to recognize your breaking points- one of my biggest struggles… Push, push, push, and never take a break :S
Kiah says
These letters-to-self are great. I’m going to have to try it-I may even have my health students try it
Shelley says
ahhh I needed this! Thanks
I must comment on moving to New York. It’s a must!
Great post. It’s great to find our blog.
Gracie,
It’s pretty awesome. Love your blog!
This post is AWESOME. It’s funny that I can pretty much say the exact same things to myself…and I also live in NYC! I just celebrated my one year anniversary here on August 28.
Gracie,
I LOOOVE this post! You are such an inspiration, girl! I can totally relate to “You need to start washing your jeans.” I’ll admit that I rarely wash mine (yuck) and am actually going to wash them today! 😉 “Working hard is important, but depending on God is more important. All the work in the world doesn’t even come close to His ability to give you the desires of your heart.” This really resonates with me because right now I am unemployed and it is very frustrating. However, while work is important, depending on God is much more important, and he is teaching me patience, humility, and trust through it all.
P.S. Your pictures are always so cute and/or meaningful. Thanks for posting the link to the tumblr website!
You just inspired me to write a letter to myself…
Dear self,
It’s ok to have rest days. Your body is no different than anyone else’s, and it will thank you for taking time off every now and then.
You will never be perfect, and you are not meant to be perfect. Though you battle daily with your imperfections, God’s grace is more than enough. “When I am weak, then I am strong…” My weaknesses allow Christ’s light to shine through me.
Facebook is addicting. So are blogs. Although you enjoy them, take time to unplug, grab a book, and relax in bed. You won’t miss anything important, I promise.
Reach out to more people. No one is going to come knocking on your door, and as much as you like to have time to yourself, you are part of the body. Relationships are essential in life, and it’s important to establish and nurture friendships.
Read your Bible. And don’t just read it; let your heart and mind soak deep into it. Let God’s truth penetrate your soul, and remember that you are a child of the Most High King.
Get outside your box. You aren’t meant to live inside a cocoon. You have grown wings—now fly!
When you think you’re hungry at night, you’re really just bored, lonely, or sleepy. Listen to your body and emotions, and step away from the kitchen. Food is meant to nourish and energize your body. Period. Embrace other ways to feed your mind and soul…because food is not the answer.
Never forget where you came from, where you are now, and where you are going. God has a marvelous plan for your life. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Wow, Alison - SO good!!! I’m with you 100% with all of them…ah…!
Needed this: “God’s grace is more than enough. ‘When I am weak, then I am strong…’ My weaknesses allow Christ’s light to shine through me.”
Take care, sweet girl
xo
Thanks, Gracie! Glad I could give something back to you!
Love this post! I really need to listen to the “relax and unplug” part!
Thank you Gracie for this lovely post. I needed to read this more then I actually thought..So TRUE!
I am guilty of the ‘sitting on the couch while watching TV, blogging, texting and eating’ thing…also the crying thing. Definitely.
Love love love this!!!
You are right … everything does work out. Always.
Kim says
Hi Gracie,
My sister just sent me a link to your blog and I love it! This post resounded so strongly with me and reminded me that we are all going through similar struggles sometimes, even if everybody else seems to have it all put together. I just started blogging recently (inspiration4theroad.blogspot.com) and sometimes I wonder if anyone can really identify or get anything out of my experiences. Your blog is restoring my faith in my own blog and journey as I try to find the path in life that will make me the most fulfilled and healthy. Thanks!
Wow. Kim…thank you so much for this comment, it actually made my night
I’m so in love with this post that I might want to read it EVERY day. Simple and powerful because it’s nothing but truth.
P.S. I’ll be in NYC this weekend! :)))
Still love this - thanks for tweeting!
Moosey says
Gracie, this is just what I needed! Thank you so much, I absolutely love your blogsite and I think you are a beautiful person. God is my ultimate savior and always comes through, even in the darkest times! Keep doing your thing girl!