15+ Dear Self Letters for Healing, Growth & Self-Love
Dear Self letters can be a therapeutic way to stay anchored and grounded, especially when you’re navigating tough seasons, learning to love yourself fully, or realigning with God’s purpose.
Written by Iesha
In this post, you’ll find gentle reminders to trust God, set boundaries, heal from your past, and live with intention.
These letters are based on experience, alongside many things I am currently working through myself; I hope they serve as gentle reminders that inspire you on your journey and reassure you that you’re never alone. So take a deep breath and let these settle in as you go through this journey of becoming everything God created you to be.
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What is an example of dear self?
Just in case you are unfamiliar with a Dear Self letter, I can help you understand. A Dear Self is a short, encouraging letter written as if you are speaking to yourself. It serves as a reminder to keep going no matter the circumstance, always staying encouraged and keeping the faith.
Dear Self Letters
Dear Self,
ALWAYS, I mean ALWAYS, put God first. Life is already hard as it is; there is no reason you should want to do it alone when you have a hand willing to guide you through it.
Dear Self,
Pray about EVERYTHING! Don’t just go through life accepting whatever is being handed to you. Be specific and intentional about what you want out of life and from yourself. This includes relationships, friendships, jobs, schools, etc. Write the vision and make it plain. Bring that vision to God so you can be aligned with his will for your life.
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
– Habakkuk 2:2
Dear Self,
Don’t dwell on the past. Be present in your now. Looking back, I understand there are a lot of situations you would have changed, but those were the experiences you needed in order to have the knowledge and wisdom you have now. Grow from it and move forward.
Dear Self,
Be your own best friend before you want to be someone else’s. What I mean by this is to love and appreciate yourself first. Get to know who you are and what you do and don’t like.
Spoil yourself and go on solo dates and shopping trips. Understand and appreciate the significance of being alone so you won’t be dependent upon the company of others. Make yourself a priority, not a second thought.
Dear Self,
Set boundaries and have standards. This is important in friendships, family, and relationships. Stand firm and don’t give in! If you don’t have them, people feel they have permission to treat you however they want.
You have the right to protect your peace at all COSTS! You love yourself enough to know that you deserve nothing less than the best from others, and most importantly, yourself.
Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love our selves even when we risk disappointing others.
Brene brown
Dear Self,
When people show you who they are the first time, PLEASE believe them. I know this sounds cliche, but it is very true. Don’t wait for things to change or try to change anything. Take it for what it is, and do yourself a favor and act accordingly. You will save yourself a lot of headaches and heartaches in the process.
Dear Self,
Follow your dreams. Use your gifts and talents, and let them make room for you. Don’t allow other people’s fears and expectations to stop you from living the life you want and dream of.
Years ago, from experience, I went to college to be a nurse because of what a close family member thought would be a great, but safe choice. I wanted to please people, so I decided to go for it despite already knowing what I had in my heart that I wanted to pursue.
In the long run, I wasted my time and accumulated a lot of debt for something I never wanted to do in the first place. I wanted to help people, but not in that capacity.
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
-Proverbs 18:16
I don’t want that to happen to you. Most of the time, the people giving the advice have no experience in what you want to do or haven’t gone after their dreams, so it’s hard for them to comprehend someone else going after theirs. I know they mean well, but sometimes you have to figure out life for yourself.
Dear Self,
Appreciate the people who appreciate you. Love and cherish the people who take the time out and check on you. Don’t dwell on those who don’t!
Not every friend will always be in your life forever, and you won’t be close to every family member like before; there is a season for everything and everyone. Understand that any relationship should be treated with mutual respect, never one-sided.
Dear Self,
Live life with purpose. Create a legacy, don’t just exist. God created you for a reason. Don’t waste his time or your own. Be obedient. Your breakthrough is somebody’s come-through.
Someone is waiting for you to be all you can be, to believe they can do it as well. You are someone’s answered prayer. Believe with the small mustard seed of faith, and move forward with action.
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
-Matthew 17:20
Dear Self,
Speak life over yourself. Pour into your cup so you can give from your overflow. People will speak negatively to you and over you, but the WORST part is you speaking negatively over yourself. Create affirmations based on what God has spoken over you. Ultimately, his voice is the only one that matters outside your own.
I have been called every name you could think of, but I had to realize that what that person said didn’t matter because I already knew what God told me. He is not like man that he shall lie. Reciting the word of God always makes me feel better and at peace.
Always remember that death and life are in the power of the tongue, so please be mindful of how you talk to yourself and about yourself.
Dear Self,
Don’t rush into a relationship unless you are truly ready. NEVER SETTLE! If they can’t treat you the way you deserve, leave. If you see RED FLAGS, don’t IGNORE them! Don’t compromise just because somebody else is comfortable. Be okay with being alone; you will have the right person in your life at the right time.
Dear Self,
Read your bible and devotionals. Understand God’s word for yourself and don’t just believe what you hear. Study to show yourself approved. There is nothing wrong with listening to sermons, but know the knowledge for yourself, and don’t depend on others to feed your spirit.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy2:15
Seek his presence and love for your life. Build that personal and authentic relationship with him. He loves hearing from you and loves you truly. Strengthen your prayer life and discernment. Be still so you can hear him for yourself.
Dear Self,
Appreciate your life and the experiences that molded you into who you are today. Live life with gratitude and thankfulness because every day is not promised. Make memorable moments!
Dear Self,
Trust the process. You are exactly where you are supposed to be. Don’t give up and continue to have faith. Life is hard and unpredictable, but you have the tools to handle the task. Be encouraged and keep your head held high. The best is yet to come, so no looking back.
Dear Self,
Invest in yourself. This may include: Going back to school, learning a new language, or maybe it’s reading more books for the month. Be your biggest supporter and cheerleader. Challenge yourself to be better. Manage your time wisely.
Dear Self,
Take care of yourself, whether it’s mentally, physically, spiritually, or emotionally. There is only one you, and you only have one life to live. Respect yourself enough to create an amazing life for yourself and be in a healthy state to maintain it. Finally, start that self-care routine and create that food prep guide or gym regimen. Just start!
Dear Self,
Please stop being a people pleaser! 9 times out of 10, those same people could care less about pleasing you. Not that every relationship you have to receive, receive, receive, but make sure you are not being anybody’s fool.
Dear Self,
If you give a man the power to feed you, you give him the power to starve you. This quote speaks volumes. Never give man that much power or make him an idol because he will take advantage of it. Depend on Jesus for everything! He will never LEAVE YOU nor FORSAKE you. If you have him, you have everything you need.
If God is all you have, you have all you need.
-John 14.8
Dear Self,
Be yourself.
Conclusion
The way you treat yourself sets the tone for everything else in your life. These Dear Self Letters are more than just letters for inspiration. Let these words be daily reminders that your journey is special.
You are worthy of love, healing, and abundance. Keep trusting the process, keep praying, and keep showing up, even when it’s hard. Your story isn’t over. In fact, it’s just beginning.
Save these letters, speak them daily, and let them guide you as you continue becoming who you’re meant to be. Remember you are fearfully and wonderfully made! Which letter can you resonate with the most? Leave a comment down below.
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well
– Psalm 139:14
