Selma Blair Pens a Letter to Her Younger Self: Emotional, Mature, and Hopeful
Selma Blair penned a vulnerable and beautiful open letter addressed to her younger self, featured in People’s 2023 Beautiful Issue.
The 50-year-old Cruel Intentions star started her heartfelt message to herself by acknowledging her younger self’s feelings of doubt and fear of growing up and being at a loss on “how to do anything successful adults do.”
In her letter, she told her younger version, “It will be okay. Don’t worry your mind about the future so much.”
She further advised, “That thing you couldn’t put your finger on. It’s hope. Trade your fear for hope. Keep reading. Write every day. Please trust yourself.”
Selma also encouraged her adolescent version to tell the truth and to observe: “Please trust yourself. Tell the truth. Observe. Good things will happen. And horrible things. And it will all be part of finding your footing and carrying on.”
The mother of one also gave her younger self a powerful affirmation that she is worth loving.
And before wrapping up her letter to herself, the Legally Blonde actress had one more powerful message to share. She said, “P.S. You bought yourself the horse you always will hope for. His name is Mr. Nibbles. You will be able to do plenty. Please don’t worry. And breathe in deeply. And exhale. Keep passing the open windows.”
Almost five years ago, in 2018, Selma shared her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis with family, friends, and fans. This degenerative disease impacts the sufferer’s central nervous system, which results in them gradually losing their mobility.
Sharing about her battle with the disease and the need to use a cane with British Vogue for their May 2023 cover, Selma revealed, “I have an emotional and physical attachment to the cane.” She also called her cane her physical extension.
During the same interview, Selma, who starred in the Hellboy franchise, also talked about her mental health. Her disease was symptomatic but had no official diagnosis. It was one of the lowest points in the actress’ life where the anxiety and lassitude became terrifying.
“I made mistakes. Wished myself dead. Attempted suicide. A few times. Out of desperation.”
Selma’s Vogue cover was received with plenty of praise, with her photos being described as fantastic and an epitome of strength.
The photos have continued to make the rounds on social media, with fans tweeting that the actress with her cape looked like a superhero. Even her cane was not associated with her limitations anymore because of how Selma used it to live and celebrate life.
The talented and beautiful Selma took a break from acting in 2009 after concluding the filming of the US remake of Kath & Kim. She had to stop filming because, according to Selma, her autoimmune system was misfiring.
These were the days when Selma admitted that she was spent crying and worrying about her health struggles and in doubt if she would ever be able to work again. But her diagnosis also paved the way for new opportunities and successes for Selma as it led to her writing her memoir in 2022 — Mean Baby.
She also became part of Dancing With The Stars, one of the very few contestants that were disabled and had to end the competition prematurely due to her health.
