I was recently introduced to an exercise that moved me to tears and wanted to share this. I experienced this as part of a hypnotherapy session so I was in a fairly relaxed state.

It works well as a [stream of consciousness] writing exercise as well.

You hear a quiet knock at the door.

It’s you… but when you were 10 years old.

You invite them in.

They had no idea what to expect and it’s your opportunity to share with them your life as it is now.

If you have a husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, housemate, you might want to start by introducing them. Tell them how you met, what your highlights together have been so far. If you live with a parent, perhaps they’ve already met when they were both younger! Has the passing of time been kind?

If you have children, perhaps they are even younger than the child who turned up at your door just minutes ago. Do they share similarities? Do they go to hug immediately or do they just observe each other?

Now take them on a tour. Why do you live where you live? Why did you choose that picture on the wall? Show your wardrobe, explain why you dress the way you do. Have you discovered a style or way of expressing yourself since you last ‘met’?

At this point you might like to stop and have something to eat and drink together. Have your tastes changed? How have they changed?

Your younger self asks you if you are happy. Perhaps you have an immediate reaction or a more considered response. Both are valid.

You consider your younger self will experience everything you have. Would you advise them to make any different choices along the way? If so what?

You ask the child what they think of your life as it is. Are they in awe? Are they impressed? Are they disappointed? Are they concerned? Find out what they think.

And give some advice to your younger self.

My advice is similar to what my father has always told me “in the end, everything will be alright. If it’s not alright, it’s not the end.” I later discovered this might be attributable to John Lennon.