Healing

RESILIENCE
life is an art - make it your masterpiece
MONTHLY JOURNALING
JUNE
● What negative thoughts have been weighing on my heart lately?
The thoughts
MAY
● Who do you tend to compare yourself to? Why?
APRIL
MARCH
FEBRUARY
● What was the best compliment you’ve ever received? Why was it so special?
JANUARY
● What are some dreams that you have buried and forgotten, that you once
wanted to achieve?
VISION BOARD
1. Certified Human Resources Associate (CHRA)
2. Civil Service Professional Eligible
3. Cum Laude
4. The WORD - Staff Writer
5. Registered Psychometrician
6. Outfit Style
7. Self-love
AN OPEN LETTER TO YOUNGER SELF
As I move into adulthood stage, I would like to honor myself for w
I had a dream of my teenage nightmare.
I will spread my wings and learn how to fly.
Dear Inner Child,
As I stand on the threshold of graduation, I write this open letter to you, my dear inner
self, to honor the dreams you held so dearly. You, who were once filled with boundless
imagination and unwavering determination, despite the shadows of doubt cast by the
past. I know the journey hasn't been easy; the echoes of childhood bullying still linger,
and the absence of parental presence left a void that yearned for affirmation.
Growing up, away from the comforting embrace of parents, the lack of positive
reinforcement took its toll on our self-confidence. Yet, through it all, you clung to the
pursuit of academic excellence as a beacon of recognition and validation from those
we cherished. Academic success became intertwined with our self-worth, a measure of
acceptance and love in a world that felt uncertain.
But today, as I prepare to graduate from college, I want you to know that you are
more than your achievements in academics. You are a tapestry woven with resilience,
compassion, and the strength to endure. Beyond the grades and accolades, lies a spirit
that has weathered storms and emerged stronger, a testament to your unwavering
spirit.
In the realm of psychoanalytic theory by Sigmund Freud, our childhood experiences

shape the foundation of our psyche, influencing our behavior and mindset as we
navigate the complexities of adulthood. The traumas of the past, the scars of rejection,
and the yearning for validation all leave imprints on our subconscious, shaping how we
perceive ourselves and the world around us.
But dear inner child,

GRADUATION POST
Most of us believe that graduating symbolizes a leap into 'adult' life, which is a huge
transition. As I move into the next developmental stage - adulthood, I would like to look
back on what I went through growing up. Sigmund Freud, a neurologist, pointed out
that
I believe that in order for me to move into the next stage of my life - adulthood. I need
to honor and validate what my younger self has been craving. To my younger self, I
know the journey hasn't been easy; the echoes of childhood trauma still linger, and the
absence of parental presence left a void that yearned for affirmation.
Does your achievement tie into your self-worth? More accurately, do you let your
self-worth be determined by achievement?
Some of these questions are what circle around my mind from day to day. I have not
yet submitted my answer in this particular test set by my own brain. Maybe these
questions don’t have answers. Maybe they are all just part of an on-going and
ever-growing list of discussions that humanity is yet to have due to the rush of
everyday life.
Anyway, where did these questions even come from in the first place you may ask?
Well, I like to think that they came to me as a result of self-reflection, but, in reality, it’s
probably also a muddled mix of too much time and its companion, too much thinking
(thanks lockdown!!).
I think that I have always felt a certain kind of pressure, most likely self-imposed, to
succeed in academia and I want to understand why. Why do I let this aspect of my life
control how much I value myself? Not to mention, why do I let it interfere in how I
believe I am perceived by others? Is it an integral part of my existence or is it simply a
result of my own overthinking? Can this issue be seen differently by others? If you have
an opinion on this topic, please let me know!!
In my experience, I have tied my self-worth to academic achievement, through no one

else’s choice but my own. Growing up, I was never pressured by peers or parents to
perform well in school, in exam season in particular, but I still wanted to. I ended up
putting that pressure on myself, I felt that it was ‘my thing’. If I didn’t have my school
smarts, then what did I have? What hobbies did I have that were useful and
productive?
However, I don’t know where this idea stemmed from. Perhaps, the notion that I was
perceived as ‘smart’ by others was positive in my mind as a young girl, after all, who
could have predicted the pressure this persona would place on my shoulders later on in
my life. However, this is not to say being intelligent or working hard in school are
negative traits. Stay in school kids. But an important lesson that I have learned in
relation to this is that productivity does not equate your value. Never feel guilty for
relaxing. Of course, that is much easier said than done.
Society and success are tightly interwoven and the fine line between work and play is
often blurred. We see people using their hobbies that they once enjoyed and relaxed
with, for monetary gain or as something to put on a job application. Often, followers on
social media are no longer just friends but almost their own currency and an indicator
of social status. Looks can become labels that we put upon ourselves and even others
to determine our value in society. These ideas are unhealthy, and they are just some of
the examples of how humans determine their place and worth in our world. Though it’s
ugly, success, in the sense of monetary value, in these past times can be important
when bills must be paid in our capitalist society. We are all encompassed in the rush to
achieve and so, we don’t take the time to care for ourselves and relax for fear of being
swept under the surface in the scramble to succeed and thus, live comfortably.
Perhaps, rather than being rewarded for the achievement of scoring highly in a test
itself or whatever it might be, growing up, it would’ve helped to have been praised for
the qualities that led to the achievement. Diligence. Perseverance. Enthusiasm.
Focusing on these traits is a good way to encourage self-growth and a positive
mindset. In the meantime, I will be trying to relax, taking time for myself and enjoying
my hobbies and strengths for what they are instead of what I can gain from them or
improve about them.
This piece was largely inspired by Savannah Brown’s YouTube video titled ‘I only feel
valuable when I succeed and I should cut that out.’ I highly recommend it if you want a
more in depth discussion on this topic
Thanks for reading!!
Always know that you are not defined by the shadows of the past, but by the light that
shines within you. As you step into this new chapter of life, let us embrace the journey
with a renewed sense of self-worth, knowing that our worthiness transcends the
confines of academic success. You are enough, just as you are, and your worth is not
measured by external validations but by the love and acceptance you have for yourself.
With love and gratitude,

Healing

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RESILIENCE

life is an art - make it your masterpiece

As I move into adulthood stage, I would like to honor myself for w

I had a dream of my teenage nightmare.

I will spread my wings and learn how to fly.

Dear Inner Child,

In the realm of psychoanalytic theory by Sigmund Freud, our childhood experiences

But dear inner child,

In my experience, I have tied my self-worth to academic achievement, through no one

With love and gratitude,

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