Each semester, our Young Leaders participate in different activities to help them discover and strengthen their leadership skills. One of our personal favourite activities, and a favourite for many of our youth, is called: A Letter From my Future Self.
In this activity, we ask our Young Leaders to imagine themselves in the distant future, living their ‘dream lives’, where they are the happiest version of themselves. We then ask them to write a letter from their future self to their current self, highlighting what their life is like in the future, and how they got there.
This exercise allows youth to use their imagination, think critically about their aspirations, and helps them visualize how they are going to accomplish their goals. We learn a lot about our Young Leaders through this activity, and they learn a lot about themselves. When it comes to finally sharing their completed letters out loud, the impact really settles in. Truthfully, it’s rare that a Young Leader’s letter gets shared without us shedding some tears of happiness, pride, and hope.
One of our Young Leaders from this past semester felt deeply impacted by the Letter From my Future Self activity, and kindly shared their thoughts with us. Here is what they said:
“As I went on the journey of writing this assignment, it was a delightful experience that allowed me to jump into my future self. The exercise brought a sense of joy and excitement, almost like taking a sneak peek into the possibilities that lie ahead. Making the letter made me feel accomplished, as if I were acknowledging and manifesting the aspirations and dreams that fuel my present life. It provided a unique opportunity to express not just the achievements but also the resilience, growth, and self-acceptance that I envision for my future self.
Moreover, the creative freedom afforded by this assignment was liberating. It allowed me to explore various sides of my future, painting a vivid picture of the life I aspire to lead. The process was akin to navigating my dreams, and the words flowed with a sense of empowerment and authenticity. In shaping this narrative, I found a renewed appreciation for the journey I am on and a deeper connection to the aspirations that push me forward.
I truly appreciate the beauty of this assignment and the meaning behind it. Thank you!”
Not only did this Young Leader notice the impact this activity had on themselves, but they also saw how it impacted others. When asked about their family’s reaction to the writing assignment, they said:
“Yeah, it made me happy to see how they reacted. It was nice seeing how they finally got to hear about my dreams and what I wanted in life, for them to finally see who I am truly. Their smiles made me feel fulfilled in life knowing I have support from them no matter what I do with life.”
The response we received from this Young Leader is exactly why we do what we do, and why the Letter From my Future Self activity is a favourite of ours. It’s so inspiring to see these Young Leaders recognize their abilities and understand their self worth. Every young person we work with has so much potential; sometimes they just need a bit of time and encouragement to recognize it themselves.
We are so excited for all of our Young Leaders to reach their goals as they go forward in life, and know that they will eventually look back on this exercise with a sense of accomplishment and pride.
