A message to my younger self - with love x
A Message to My Younger Self is a collaborative project exploring reflection, memory and compassion for the self we once were. The project brings together 34 messages written to younger versions of ourselves - letters shaped by experience, hindsight and care.
While written for our past selves, the messages also reach outward, offering reassurance, honesty and encouragement to younger generations who may be navigating similar moments in their own lives.
The final painting has been donated to Old Clee Church, extending the project beyond the exhibition as a shared space for reflection, memory and compassion.
Faye Trickett, With Love, X, 2026 mixed media on canvas, 90cm x 120cm Created in response to her project To my younger self - with love x.
A poem written and recorded by artist Marise Phillips, offering a reflective response to the themes of memory, compassion and self.
Spoken Poem by Marise Phillips
Read the Messages
Click on each image to read the message behind the work. Where participants contributed in person, the original handwritten message is also shown.
"Trust that life is good" - Age 45
"Everything will be okay!" - Age 33
"Hold tight" - Age 36
"Build a Pokémon army" - Age 10
"Trust yourself sooner" - Age 34
"Share things that make you smile with others" - Age 40
"What's the worst that can happen?" - Age 38
"It's okay to ask for help" - Age 42
"Have hope" - Age 52
"Believe in you" - Age 50
"Try harder at school" - Age 54
"Make life hard for grownups" - Age 6
"Don't follow the crowd" - Age 61
"No is a complete sentence" - Age 50
"Youth is wasted on the young" - Age 52
"Don't listen to doubters" - Age 54
"The ordinary days become the memories you treasure most" - Age 48
"Give things a go" - Age 59
"Look after yourself and your family" - Age 61
"You can do anything" - Age 62
"Find Joy" - Age 64
"It takes all your life to become who you really are" - 65
"Appreciate your parents" - Age 67
"Don't waste time" - Age 68
"You can achieve the best" - Age 68
"There's always light at the end of the tunnel" - Age 21
"Don't take notice of other people's opinions" - Age 67
"The things meant for you will find you" - Age 48
"Stop planning for the worst case scenario" - Age 26
"Play five nights at freddy's" - Age 10
"Don't hold back" - Age 69
"Be your true authentic self" - Age 34
You are enough
