Love Letter to Myself

People know me as a very kind, patient, and empathetic person. I see good in other people, and am quick to understand/forgive their mistakes. But I have a harder time applying this attitude toward myself.

Especially over the past year, I’ve worked hard to try to be my own best friend. I’ve still got a ways to go, but I’ve been thinking lately about the things I love about myself. So as a little gift to myself on this, my 5th Anniversary of starting HRT (Feb 16, 2021).

I love my body

My body is strong. It has carried me up mountains and across oceans, granting me a life full of adventure. I am grateful for the power and freedom my body gives me, to explore and experience so much of this world and its people.

My body is soft. It has shed decades of misalignment, and allowed me to become my truest form. I am grateful for the beauty, grace, and sensitivity my body gives me.

I love my soft skin. Its sun-kissed freckles. The heart-shaped birthmark under my hair. I love the stories told by my scars and tattoos – each a marker of my experience on this planet. I love my calluses, how they protect my hands and let me stay active.

I love my broad shoulders and wide back. They are a shelter for my loved ones, and make me a great climber.

I love my perfect (peer-reviewed) chest. My breasts are the most pronounced change from HRT, and remind me of how far I’ve come in my journey.

I love my big hands. They do so much for me in life. Their strength, dexterity, and size make them extremely capable (also peer-reviewed 😉).

I love my long arms and legs. They let me reach tall shelves, and carry heavy things for my friends.

My body is a miracle of science and self-determination that defies the most fundamental category of humanity. It challenges people’s very perception of reality and truth. It represents a better, freer future, where we are unbound from expectations and limitations based on the circumstances of our birth. Just by existing, I inspire others to become truer versions of themselves.

I love my Face

I love my big, beautiful eyes. They are soft, intense, and curious. My thick, dark eyelashes and eyebrows make them even more expressive. I love getting to tell people “no, I’m not wearing mascara – they just do this“

I love my contagious smile. How it sometimes starts slowly, on the left side first, then the right. It can brighten anyone’s day, including myself.

I love my nose. It has a cute, uneven tip thanks to a childhood scar.

I love my small ears. They are responsible for so much of my perception, and look cute as hell while doing it.

I love my fine and luscious hair. Its length reflects my own personal growth and resilience. People often compliment its scent. I love the way it can change the rest of my appearance depending on how I style it.

I love my Mind

My mind is curious. It craves understanding, and asks very good questions. I love how much joy I get from new discoveries and experiences. I am grateful to have seen and done enough for multiple lifetimes, and that I get to keep exploring for so many more years.

I am good at understanding others’ perspectives. I can empathize and connect with people very different from me. I think complexly and with nuance, and I believe there is no such thing as a simple answer to a big question.

My mind is powerful. It thinks fast and often, and is incredibly good at solving problems. I love testing and applying new ideas in any arena.

I am truly so good at learning, especially in hands-on applications. I genuinely believe I could learn/understand any domain/expertise, given enough time and motivation. This confidence has allowed me to overcome so many challenges in life. I know I can do anything I set my mind to, and I love that.

My mind is creative. I love my imagination, and the infinite possibilities it shows me. Its constant “what if”s lead me to create the world of my dreams today.

I am an excellent communicator. I can interpret and express complex thoughts in precise words. I feel in-tune and connected with my peers and colleagues, because I know we can reach a place of mutual understanding.

I Love My Heart

My heart is warm and open. People often tell me I have a “good energy” and a comforting presence. I see the best in others, and love getting to witness my fellow humans, in their best and worst moments. I am grateful that the pain and suffering I’ve faced have not hardened my heart, but instead allow me to better connect with people.

My heart is fiercely kind. It rages at injustice, and retaliates with love. It guides my actions to create the kind of world I know is possible – one filled with empathy and connection, forgiveness and support. I am grateful my heart can hold space for more feelings than my own.

I love how quickly and easily I make friends. I have built communities and connections across the planet.

I love that I love helping people. It is easier to be kind when I know it makes someone else’s day better.

I love how passionate I am. I can get really into my interests, and love sharing them with others.

My heart has brought me the highest highs and lowest lows of life. I am grateful for the depth of feeling I am capable of. I love getting to explore and understand new parts of myself through these feelings. And I would not be myself today, if it weren’t for the love and support I’ve felt from the people in my life.

I love my self

I truly am a one-of-a-kind human. My skills, experiences, and perspective allow me to live a life of authenticity, adventure, and love. I trust myself and my ability to build and rely on support networks.

I am easy to love. People often tell me I have a “good energy” and a comforting presence. I’m easy to talk to, and make people feel seen and heard.

I am a good person. My actions are driven by love and understanding, not fear or anger. I strive to leave things better than I found them.

I am unashamedly myself. I am comfortable on stage. I am an effective leader. I can do things others’ wish they had the strength for, and often inspire them to find that strength themselves.

I am an unstoppable fucking force of love and light and joy. I walk a path of optimism and hope and leave kindness in my wake. I can change the very course of others’ lives, rippling out to create a better future.

Other people are right. I am easy to love, and I too am grateful for the experience of loving Ada.

Thanks for Reading!

I wrote this letter for myself, but I wanted to share it for two reasons:

1. I’m proud of who I’ve become and the work I’ve done to get here.
2. To inspire others to think about the ways they love themselves.

So, I hope you got something out of this, besides maybe learning some new things about your friend Ada. Regardless, thanks for sharing in this human experience with me!

💜 Ada