Hi kray bray may,

He gave me one tool - deep breaths which I've been using and it's helped somewhat, but it's a coping mechanism, doesn't solve problems.

Yes, you're right they don't solve a lot of problems
Sometimes though they can give you that bit of "breathing space" to calm down the stress levels and try to see the problem differently, to try to "let go" of the problem for a time until........., or to try to come up with some solutions depending on what the problem is.
But yes, sometimes you do need more to actually work through problems........and that's where the work may need to begin

I wrote a letter to myself this past Christmas where I took the time to note the positive changes I noticed about myself after some of my recent stresses and I'll be opening this letter one year after writing it.

Wow, writing that letter sounds really powerful!!! Great move!!!!
And absolutely keep it for a year if that's going to work for you........but I'd say that things like that shouldn't necessarily be "hidden" away, sometimes when going through hard times it can help to look back and remember how far you've actually come, or to remember your achievements, or to remember that you have made it through times like this before...........maybe to turn to as a boost, to feel better about yourself, or to give you at least a little hope.............
So as far as I'm concerned you open that letter whenever you need to.......**** even frame it and hang it on a wall, they're your real achievements (!!!)........if you want to of course!!
But perhaps put time by say once a month even, to write down/put together some of the successes of that month, and there are going to be some whatever they are........even count in reaching for support/opening up on here () that's really big, takes a lot of strength to do that!!



Alison