“Hindsight is 20/20″ they say. Looking back, we often see things that we didn’t see — maybe couldn’t see — when we were in the midst of an issue. Looking back, everything makes more sense, the wheat can be separated from the chaff, and things don’t look the same. Sometimes when you are too close to something you just can’t tell what it really is. Sharing those lessons is important. Not only is it therapeutic to look back and see what we have learned but it also leaves a legacy behind. Perhaps those that come after us can learn from our mistakes. After all, isn’t that why we study history — to learn what people have done, to see what worked and what didn’t work, and to know how to do it better the next time? As I scrapbook my story, I want it to include these “looking back” moments.
In early 2007 I did by first “to a younger me” layout. It was very therapeutic for me and I am glad that I had a chance to share my heart.
Credits: Wild Love by Shabby Princess, zig zag stitching by Lisa Whitney, stamped heart by Michelle Coleman
Two and half years have passed and I am sensing even more the need to share more of these “letters” to myself. I want to save my story and the things I have learned from them for my children — especially my daughters. My teenage and early adult years were so very hard. If by sharing the mistakes I made I can spare my own girls just one moment of misery, then it will all be worth it. I want to start a collection of these layouts so that one day I can pass them to my daughters. I was looking through old pictures the other day and came across one that to an outsider, wouldn’t look like much. To me, it spoke volumes and will always remind me of many wasted years. I feel a little vulnerable sharing this layout, but it is real and in my journaling, I always want to be real. I’ve shared my story with a lot of people anyway, but I usually like to do it in a one-on-one setting. But hey, what’s a little vulnerability between me and a few thousand of my closest friends 
Credits: Track of my Life by Lauren Reid for THE DIGI FILES 8. Staples by Shabby Princess
And here is a gorgeous layout by team member Karen — “If I’d Known Then What I Know Now”
CREDITS: Lauren Grier A Beautiful Glow kit, Borderline, Jacked Up Kind of Love font with Darcy Baldwin; Janet Phillips template; Fonts are Pea Devon, Pea Devon Caps and Gimme Space by Lauren Reid and Darcy Baldwin
So what do YOU want to tell YOUR younger self? Do you have some advice? Do you have a funny story to tell? Do you have a “you never will guess how this turns out” letter for her to read? Whatever it is, go ahead and tell her. You have no idea how much she needs to hear it!
janet,
thanks for such a poignant exposure of your inner self; it can be so hard to open that up. blessings to you & yours.
Janet – your journaling is always amazing and real and that makes your pages true treasures. This was a great post!
This is really neat – I have spent a lot of time telling my DAUGHTER about my past to help her not make the same mistakes – but she is. In many ways following right in my footsteps!
The first thing I thought of, though, to tell my younger self was: STOP EATING ALL THAT JUNK FOOD, YOUR METABOLISM IS GOING TO SHUT DOWN RATHER EARLY AND YOU WILL REGRET IT!!!!
But then, I think that even with the whole extra person I have grown (ugh!) since my younger days, how much happier and more content and confident I am…so I guess I’d tell my younger self that, too. This is very intriguing. I do believe I will do something along these lines. Now I’m just so wistful that I could actually GO BACK. Then again, I DO like an awful lot about what I have now…
Thanks for this – for sharing your story, and the idea in general.
Thank you for your courage – and vulnerability – in sharing your stories. This came at a very good time for me as I’m dealing with some pretty heavy “life stuff” and have been feeling more than a little blue. I also am feeling that need/desire to share some of my own stories (or at least get them down on paper) so that I can sit with them, reflect on the lessons, grieve, forgive myself and move on. It is helpful to know others feel the same.
Thanks so much for sharing your layouts, sometimes the things we scrap about feel so near and dear to our selves…I love this idea, and would never have thought to do one. Things I would tell my younger self, to not take myself for granted! I’m not as fat as I think, and what other people think doesn’t matter!
Thank you for sharing so much- it takes a lot of guts to put it all out there like you did. And you’ll never know who or how many are touched by it. I am. You really inspire me. Thanks.
Once upon a time I did this as part of the Digi Dares.
I think its time for a revamp! Love your page! http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=183174&cat=all&ppuser=4826
Gorgeous stories! Thank you for sharing!
Janet, you have me trying to hold back the tears reading your “To a Younger Me” layout… LOL! You have no idea how it speaks to where I am right now! Gaah! I am totally in the “All I can do is dream of getting out” place in this season of my life… and I think I see a glimmer of hope on the horizon. I’m praying that it’s the “one morning” I’ve been holding on for. At least I know that God is good and life won’t always be this rough… at least, I keep saying that over and over to help me not freak out every day. LOL!
I found this quote (because Stacy Julian had actually found before me) that helps me feel better:
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” Mary Anne Radmacher
Beautiful layouts and fabulous encouragement. Thank you so much!
The younger me totally should have had more fun. I was far too concerned with grades than was necessary to succeed.
Unlike Leslie though, I don’t regret my time spent crushing. It’s important to know the difference between unrequited love and the real thing.
Applause—not only are the layouts worthy of scraplifting, but more importantly, the HONESTY
in your journalling very touching and motivating. It’s the hard times that make us the strong people that we are today. Great message for your daughters and what a freeing experience for you. I believe almost all of us have fretted too many hours away over “THE BOY” (I know I did), that we are now grateful that we did not marry. Thank you for sharing and encouraging your readers to scrap the tough subjects. You’ve really outdone yourself!