Dear Younger Self...

I have been recently going through a slew of old photos, calendars, year books, memory boxes, you name it and it has surprisingly brought up some deep compassion for my younger self. You know that feeling when you take a step back into how you felt in certain moments of your life? These were the moments I've been connecting to. 

While I've explored some personal work with my younger self, as guided by dear mentors, this particular exercise of "tidying up" 3 copies of the same disposable camera photo, mini wallet photos of my middle school crushes and spring break memorabilia, I felt an overwhelming sense of compassion for the girl I was at those moments. 

It got me to thinking, if I could, what are some things I'd tell my younger self? Many different things have come to mind, but five things specifically keep coming up. 

1. Make your own decisions.
Looking back, I feel like more often than not, I was worrying about what other people thought of me and if I was going to fit in. I worried if my clothes would impress the kids at my new school, if anyone would notice my weight, if someone was talking about me behind my back... the list of worries go on. Many times this swayed the decisions I made.

Dear Bailey - Do what you want. Follow your heart, do what you love and lead your own life. You are the only one who will be there with you through it all. Don't let other people make decisions for you or pressure you into something you don't believe in. 

2. You can do hard things.
I remember many times when things got hard and I didn't feel like I knew the answers, so I'd quit. Even if I loved what I was doing, it seemed easier to quit. I quit cheerleading, tap dancing, basketball, track & field, the list goes on. This is no way to experience the fear -  instead I ran (hard and fast) from it all. 

Dear Bailey - See the fear in front of you? Move through it. You will make it through this because you are far stronger than you give yourself credit for. You can do hard things. Believe in yourself and know that your growth and strength will meet you on the other side. 

3. Be grateful for what you have. 
I know for certain that I took many of my experiences, my health and privileges for granted. It wasn't until MUCH later in life that I have realized the power of gratitude. 

Dear Bailey - Take time to relax and reflect, every day. One the things that you are grateful for and allow yourself to feel the gratitude in your heart and in your body. This will forever change your outlook on life. 

4. Cherish your healthy relationships. 
I see, as an adult, that it takes far more effort to build relationships than it did during my school years. I also know that the people in my life, now, are here with great purpose and because I want them to be. 

Dear Bailey - Only let people into your life who lift you up, who are cheering you on and who believe in you. All the others will find their own path. And the people who you choose to keep in your life, let them know often just how much they mean to you. 

5. You are loved, more than enough and extremely special, JUST as you are.

Dear Bailey - You are loved, more than enough and extremely special, JUST as you are.

xo 
Bailey (33 years old)

---

LAUNDRY SOAP

Alright friends, this is literally the EASIEST laundry soap recipe to make and it lasts a long time! I love that there are simple, clean and effective ingredients that get out the deepest layers of snot and dirt from #toddlers.

Ingredients:
1 cup Castile soap
1 cup baking soda
1/3 cup coarse salt
20 drops essential oils (I love On Guard + Citrus Bliss)
7.5 quarts of hot water
Bucket
Storage Containers

Instructions:
Whisk all ingredients together in bucket
Pour into storage containers
Use about 1/2 c per load
Shake & Wash

*I like to keep a shakeable juice container as my "active" container and then I store the remainder in glass covered containers; original recipe courtesy of HOL:FIT