Revealing the Future - a Note to Self

I was recently invited to write a note from my future self a year from now. This exercise is one I’ve used with clients and occasionally myself when exploring what the future might hold as a result of changes I’m making and transitions I’m working through now. It’s a powerful way to anchor these new changes and habits, but more importantly, it creates much needed hope that the ups and downs, the “messy” middle, is worth working through.

Let me give you a bit of context before sharing my “Future Self” note with you. I recently stepped away from coaching food and body issues as my niche. I did this because my clients were coming to me with issues that related to change and transition - you can read about it HERE.

The other reason was that I’d written about my own food and body issues for so long and, although I kept making progress through personal counselling and coaching sessions, I grew tired of talking about it. So, the decision to keep my weight loss journey private felt right and congruent.

I’ve continued to work through what I think of as “left-over” issues around weight after more than a year of intense work. I’ve been seeing a Registered Dietician and following a few key people who inspire me to keep at it.

Sometimes it takes time to sort through the layers that make up this complex and often tricky issue, but I’ve finally figured out what works and what I can stick with going forward. Hallelujah!

I’ve been dismantling the insidious, soul-destrying diet culture mentality that has dogged me for decades - I’m proud to say I catch it now and easily call it out for what it is. No more striving for perfection - what a relief that is!

Most importantly, after much soul searching and diving deeply into my “why”, I’ve finally made peace with the part of me that continuously rebelled against me, even when something was in my best interest! This part is now onboard, advocating for me to stay connected with why it’s so important to practice daily self-care, to take one day at a time, be consistent (not perfect), and have the courage to do what I want and need to do with food and my body.

Tapping (EFT) and writing have been a big part of my transformation through the “messy” middle. All the thoughts I’ve had about “why” I want to lose weight have culminated in this:

I don’t want to feel uncomfortable the way I do now in my body next year - not at my next birthday and especially not again next summer, or the next or the next!

As I’ve tapped and written about how I feel in my body, I’ve settled in to daily practices and habits that are moving me closer to where I want to be both on the scale and how I want to feel. By the way, I don’t have a defined goal weight - it’s not the number that’s driving me forward but the way I feel so the scale is only one measurement I’m using to track progress.

This journey has also helped me recognize that I can respect and value my body and all she does for me - and still not feel comfortable in her at a weight that feels too high.

The invitation to write a note as if it’s already next summer came at the right moment, just after recognizing my “why”.

It begins with…

     “I can’t tell you how grateful I am for the woman who decided to step into her power a year ago! Way to go me! 

A year ago I was feeling uncomfortable in my body at a weight that felt too high, too unmanageable, too much. I wasn’t happy with myself and while I’m at a more comfortable weight now, it’s clear that losing weight was really about clearing the way through to creating a stronger, deeper, more satisfying relationship with myself.

It’s true that I’m fitter physically, that the number on the scale feels more appropriate for my body, and that I look better and fit my clothes more comfortably.

It’s true that my relationship with food is easy, unencumbered with “shoulds” and diet rules.

And, it’s true that I feel so much more comfortable moving in my body.

But what’s also true is that I am more of who I’ve wanted to be for a long time - truer to myself, speaking my truth more easily with care and consideration, respecting the boundaries I’ve created for self and others.

Just like I started journalling with one word per day, the daily practices I began all those months ago (a year ago!) have become routine, second nature, just things I do. Dropping the worry and angst about being seen has been replaced with more confidence, ease and the desire to be the healthiest I can be as I age.

Some might say that I could have achieved many of these things without weight loss - I did everything I could over decades to do just that and it didn’t work. What I finally realized was that I had to arrive at a place where I was prepared to change my perception of what freedom meant (it wasn’t about eating and drinking more food and wine), of who I was and wanted to become, of the way I was willing to live and show up as I followed my own path through my own Secret Garden.

I’m so grateful that the woman of a year ago was uncomfortable in her body and decided to do something about it. The last year has been life changing on so many levels. And now, as I look to the future, I feel grounded and ready for more! Let’s go!

The future me is in progress! I’ve written out my Future Self Note and placed it in an envelope for me to read in a year. I can’t wait…

Thanks for reading - I don’t take your presence here lightly!

I’d love to know if you have a Future Self Note or does this story inspire you to create one? Comment below or send me a private note at coach@joanridsdel.com

With Gratitude!

Joan