Dear Self,

As this course draws to a close, take a moment to acknowledge

how much you've learned and grown. Perhaps, you once believed you
understood yourself entirely. However, throughout this course, you've
discovered there were aspects yet to be unveiled. Growing up, you've
often adhered to society's standards and expectations, placing
immense pressure on yourself to fit a mold of likeability. Yet, I'm
elated that you've recognized the uniqueness within every individual,
including yourself. You've realized that being true to your uniqueness
is what makes you special, independent of others' approval.

At times, you might have pondered why you have certain

personality traits and think that you inherited these qualities from
your parents. Yet, through this course, you've learned that your
behavior is a synthesis of interactions within your environment,
family, society, and even your cultural background. The family
dynamics, environment, and culture you've been exposed to
significantly shape your identity. Moreover, you've grasped how
adaptable your personality across diverse roles— as a daughter,
sister, classmate, and friend. .Juggling these roles is indeed
challenging, and it's impressive how people manage various facets of
their lives.

There were instances where you found yourself perplexed by

the beliefs, personalities, and behaviors of other cultures. In your
younger years, these differences might have seemed peculiar.
However, as you've matured, you've come to understand that cultural
nuances heavily influence behavior. Growing up in a Filipino culture
ingrained values of hospitality, respect, family orientation, and
cheerfulness. Filipinos, known for their strong sense of community,
exhibit this trait through Bayanihan—a testament to our collectivist
culture. Similarly, you've recognized your inclination toward
selflessness, often placing others before yourself. Now, you
understand it's an inherent part of your considerate nature, nurtured
by the collectivist culture you grew up in.

Reflecting on the course's lessons, certain topics resonated

deeply. Particularly, the discussion on the struggles women face in
achieving their careers struck a chord, as you intimately relate to
these challenges.
You understand the obstacles women encounter due to
discrimination and the balancing act of familial responsibilities.
Additionally, exploring the concepts of ideal versus actual self sheds
light on your journey toward becoming the person you aspire to be.
The lesson on the material self further unveiled the significance of
possessions as an extension and representation of yourself. Your
passion for fashion serves as a mode of self-expression, reflecting
elements of your identity. Lastly, Sigmund Freud's theory of
personality, highlighting the id, ego, and superego, intrigued you. This
theory provides insight into your behaviors and personality traits,
aiding in understanding your actions and the formation of your
personality.

You also attended workshops that provided valuable insights

applicable to your daily life. The first workshop centered on mental
health awareness, emphasizing its profound impact not only on the
mind but also on the body—physically, emotionally, and socially. This
heightened awareness enabled you to recognize symptoms of mental
health disorders and understand where to seek help. It equipped you
with knowledge about mental health conditions, their causes, and
effective strategies for managing these issues through self-care and
stress management. Another noteworthy workshop was the stress
management session, an experience that left a lasting impression.
Delving into the concept of stress, you learned about the significance
of addressing stressors—the sources of your stress. These stressors
can stem from various aspects of life such as work, family, school,
environment, and friends, among others. Recognizing and
understanding these stressors became essential in effectively
managing stress. Furthermore, you discovered diverse methods to
alleviate stress, including conversations with friends, meditation,
ensuring adequate sleep, maintaining proper nutrition, and more.

This course has been transformative, offering insights into

yourself and the world around you. Embrace this newfound
knowledge as you continue your journey of self-discovery.

Love,
Andrea