Write a letter to yourself every year; Open January 2025.

It’s that time of the year!

December is a special month for me, not just because it closes the year, but it’s also a reset to everything. Mostly, by the end of the year, we get lazy and tired of, so to say, the same year. A new year brings new beginnings, new goals, and new aspirations.

I sit down with a cup of coffee, light my favorite candle, and write a letter to myself—one I will open next January. When this simple tradition became something I cherish deeply, I don’t know, but it has helped me grow in amazing ways.

By next January, when I open the letter, I’ve usually forgotten what I wrote, so it feels like receiving a message from an old friend or someone who loves you unconditionally - I don’t have to mention that it’s only you who can love you unconditionally, and accept yourself in all ways, and phases of life.

And honestly? it surprises me every time. There’s always something profoundly healing in reading words you wrote for yourself, especially when they meet you in a moment you didn’t even know was coming.

We all need something to look forward to. Life can be so chaotic, pulling us in a million directions, making it easy to lose sight of ourselves, our goals, values, and even our vision sometimes. I’ve realized this little tradition keeps me grounded. It gives me hope, a moment to pause and reflect, and a chance to console myself when no one else can.

There are countless reasons to write to yourself, but for me, three stand out: consolation, love, and preserving my essence.

1. The Consolation No One Else Can Offer

I’ve always found it frustrating when people dismiss sadness or loneliness with phrases like, “You have Allah.” Yes, we do. As Muslims, we know that Allah is always with us. But that doesn’t mean we don’t need human connections, love, and support to live in this world. Allah created us with emotions and relationships for a reason.

Look at the stories of the Prophets. Yaqoob (AS) had Allah, but he wept for years longing for his son. Muhammad (PBUH) had Allah, yet he experienced grief so heavy it was called the Year of Sadness. Musa (AS) had Allah, but he still asked to see and speak with Him directly. Their faith was unshakable, yet their humanity shone through all the thick and thin.

Feeling low doesn’t mean your faith is weak. It means you’re human. And being human is exactly how Allah made us.

But the world doesn’t always understand this. People expect perfection, forgetting that perfection belongs only to Allah. They overlook that we are, by design, imperfect—created with weaknesses, which in fact reminds us that we rely on Allah alone.

This is where writing to myself comes in. After Allah, you are the only one who truly knows what you need to hear. When you write a letter for yourself, you know what truly resonates with you, what kind of comfort you need, and what will make you feel better.

These letters that I write to myself have become a safe space for me. I tell myself it’s okay to feel tired, to feel lost, to feel like I’m barely holding it together. I remind myself that I am doing my best, and it is okay even if I lack in some places - and that is why you should be comforting yourself with a letter.

2. Loving Yourself Like You Love Others

We go out of our way to show love to others, don’t we?

Yes, we do. We write heartfelt messages to our loved ones, buy thoughtful gifts, and plan surprises—all to make them feel special. But when was the last time we treated ourselves the same way?

Writing a letter to yourself is my way of saying, “I love you too.” It’s a small, intentional act that reminds you that you deserve the same care and kindness you offer to others.

Words that you write for yourself, the effort that you put in, and take out time to just sit with you, for yourself out of pure love, expecting nothing in return, is something we find really hard in this time and world.

And that is what Islam teaches us - our bodies, we are an Imanah(trust), and we have to take care of our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls for the sake of Allah. Because, when we neglect ourselves, and feel not loved or enough, we are not able to strive in Allah’s way or treat people kindly as well.

It’s a moment of self-love that feels sacred!

3. Preserving Your Essence as an Introvert

As an introvert, I often find it hard to explain myself to others. Why do I retreat into my own world? Why I prefer quiet evenings over social gatherings. Why I can’t always share my thoughts openly, even with those I trust?

Writing to yourself feels natural in a way that conversations sometimes don’t. It’s where you can be honest, vulnerable, and unapologetically yourself without the fear of oversharing or judgments.

Life has its own way of pressuring us to be someone we’re not—to fit into roles or expectations that don’t align with who we are. Over time, this takes a toll. You carry the weight of pleasing everyone else while slowly losing touch with yourself.

That’s why this tradition matters to me. My letters are a way of holding onto my essence. They remind me of who I am, what I value, and why I’m enough, exactly as I am - and that’s what I encourage you to do.

What Should I Write in a Letter?

Well, that’s an important question.

There’s no strict formula for my letters—they flow from the heart. But there are a few themes you can go for while writing one for yourself.

Gratitude: I start by thanking Allah and then myself for making it through another year. Know that surviving is an achievement, even if it doesn’t feel like it - give yourself some credit there.

Faith and Resilience: I remind myself that no matter what has happened this year, Allah’s plan is perfect. Every hardship carries wisdom, even if you can’t see it yet, there is khair(good) in it. Tell yourself to keep your faith, and hold on a little longer.

Acknowledging Losses: Ah, we think, not thinking about something is going to make it go. Or we think that feeling sad over and even crying over a loss is being impatient, but it is not. If I’ve faced pain or loss, I give myself permission to grieve and take my time to accept it. But I also remind myself that when Allah takes something from us, He always gives us something better in return.

Celebrating Wins: A win isn’t only getting a million dollars. You making an effort to get up in the morning when you don’t feel like it is also an achievement. Taking out time to study when it feels hard is a win. Pushing yourself to do better is also a win. I highlight my achievements, big or small. Sometimes just getting out of bed felt like a victory, and that’s worth celebrating too, right?

Looking Ahead: Submission is love and hope. Love for the present moment, and hope for a better future. I end by setting intentions for the future. No, you do not have to set major goals or make a list of them in the letter(please don’t do it. No. Don’t). Just set your intentions, encourage, and gently remind yourself of what matters most.

How Does Writing to Yourself Help?

You know, writing to yourself has this way of holding up a mirror—not just to who you are right now, but to who you’ve been and how far you’ve come. It’s like sitting down with an old friend who knows every detail of your journey. For me, it’s taught me so much about my own growth—not just as a person but in my faith too.

Sometimes, we’re so caught up in looking ahead, planning for what’s next, that we completely overlook what we already have, the present moment. Writing and reading a letter to yourself brings that into focus.

You reflect on your past year, and the blessings, small wins, and lessons you have learned. You are thinking about your future while being focused on the present moment.

And it gently shows you how Allah’s wisdom has been at work, even when it felt like everything was falling apart.

It’s proof that you value your heart, your feelings, and the trust (Amanah) that Allah has placed in you.

You know how we’re taught to care for the people and things Allah has entrusted to us? That includes you.

So, when you take a moment to write to yourself, it’s not just a little self-care ritual—it’s an act of love. It’s a way of showing gratitude for the life Allah has given you and honoring it by taking care of your emotional and spiritual well-being. It’s saying, “I’m here for you. I’ve got you. And I trust Allah’s plan through it all.”

That’s the beauty of it—it’s simple, but it’s profound. So keep doing it. Keep showing up for yourself, because it matters more than you think.

A Note on Faith and Hope

Love comes from Allah. He is Al-Wadud, the source of all love, and every relationship in this world is a means of experiencing that love.

Sometimes we lose people we love, or they fail to meet our expectations, including us. We fail ourselves a many times. It’s painful, but it’s also a reminder that human love is not the ultimate goal. It’s a reflection, a glimpse, of the perfect love that comes from Allah alone.

When you align yourself with Him—when your heart rests in His hands—you realize that everything else is temporary. The good, the bad, the heartbreak, the joy—it’s all leading you closer to Him.

To anyone reading this, I hope you find the love and support you deserve. And if you haven’t, or if you’ve found it and lost it, know this: Allah is moving the universe in ways you can’t imagine to bring you what’s best.

In the meantime, be there for yourself. Write that letter. Sit down with a cup of coffee and remind yourself of your worth, your resilience, and your faith.

Because even when the world feels heavy, even when you feel alone, you are never truly alone. You have Allah. And you have yourself.

Keep shining, keep loving, and keep standing up for yourself.