Love Letters From A Therapist's Journal: Dear Loving You
- insitepsychotherap
- Feb 17
- 4 min read
Hello, Love Letter Family,
Good Morning, Afternoon, Evening, or Night! I hope this week finds you well.
Welcome back to Love Letters From A Therapist's Journal. Each blog post features a different love letter written to a specific version of you; one that recognizes your strengths, honors your experiences, and gives you the encouragement you need.
If this is your first time reading, feel free to visit the blog to view the previous letters I’ve written to you. Each one focuses on a unique version of you that deserves recognition.
And if you haven’t already, you might also want to check out the letter I wrote to myself.
This week’s love letter is Dear Loving You. (It felt fitting, especially with Valentine's Day recently behind us.) This is the version of you that shows love in everything you do—at work, at home, with your friends, and even with strangers. You are an embodiment of love, and everyone who interacts with you can feel it. But here’s the question. How well have you been showing love to yourself?
This Week’s Love Letter: Dear Loving You
Dear Loving You,
Loving others is a wonderful thing—especially in today’s world. They say people have shifted from using things and loving people, to using people and loving things. But you don’t have that problem. Everyone in your space can feel your love. You are a light! But here’s the truth: there’s one person you may have forgotten to show love to. You.
You spend so much time and energy pouring love into others (which is, of course, a beautiful thing), but in doing so, you often leave yourself last on the list. It’s time to change that. Loving yourself must become a top priority, not just something you do when you have time left over after caring for everyone else.
So, Loving You, here’s my simple but powerful advice this week: Take time for yourself, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day. You are worthy of the same time, attention, and care you so generously give to others. And I’ll leave you with an early inspirational quote to drive this home:
"If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete." — Jack Kornfield
Strategies to Practice Self-Love:
Set Boundaries with Love
One of the most loving things you can do is set boundaries. Protect your time, energy, and emotional well-being. It’s okay to say "No"—you’re not rejecting others, you’re creating space for you.
Practice Patience—With Yourself
Talk to yourself the way you would talk to a friend who’s struggling. Offer kind, loving words instead of judgment. Show yourself the same patience and grace you would extend to others. Use positive affirmations to speak kindness to yourself.
Create a Ritual of Calm
Even if it’s just 5 minutes in the morning or before bed, create space to just be with yourself. Think about the things that bring you joy and relaxation—whether it's your favorite scented candle, an affirmation, a scripture, a song, a memory, or some gentle stretching. Do whatever fills you up and pours love back into you.
Let Go of Perfection
We all know that the people we love are not perfect, but we love them anyway. So why does it seem so hard to love ourselves in that same way? You don’t need to be perfect to deserve love. In fact, love yourself because of your imperfections—they are what make you uniquely and wonderfully you.
Closing the Letter
Dear Loving You,
One of the most beautiful things about you is your loving nature. Never change that! The only thing you need to change is to include yourself at the top of the list of those you show love to. Remember, you cannot pour from an empty glass. So, pour some love into yourself. You deserve it, and you're so worth it!
With Love,
From Your Therapist’s Journal
If you’re tired of spinning your wheels and feeling like you’re never "enough" because of all the things you try to juggle, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why I created The Manual, a therapist-written self-care system designed for busy women who want sustainable emotional support, not quick fixes.
It helps you build a customized self-care plan that fits your real life, so you can focus on what matters most without burning out or feeling guilty.
Launching March 2nd! Until then, start with my Free Reset Tool + Affirmation Cards to gently reset and recharge, without pressure or perfection.
Leave a comment below! Tell me what you're going to do to show yourself some love this week. I’d love to hear what small acts of self-love you’re committing to this week.
Encouraging Words For The Week:
"If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete." — Jack Kornfield
About the Author:
Lauren Cartwright, MS, LCPC, is a licensed therapist with over 20 years of experience helping women prioritize self-care, emotional wellness, and balance in their everyday lives. She specializes in supporting professional women who feel overwhelmed, burned out, or disconnected from themselves.
Through Love Letters From A Therapist’s Journal, Lauren blends clinical insight, compassion, faith, and honesty to help readers reset their mindset, practice grace-filled self-care, and reconnect with who they are, without guilt or pressure. She believes self-care should be realistic, sustainable, and personalized, not another impossible expectation.
Lauren is a Black woman, a Christian, a mother, and a breast cancer survivor. Her work is grounded in the belief that healing begins with compassion, intentional rest, and learning how to care for yourself in ways that truly fit your life.