Turning 21....
Okay, confession: turning 20 hit me harder than turning 21 lol. Right now I’m just excited to be legal and finally do the things I couldn’t do before.
But I really wanted to use this birthday to look back, because this year I found myself. I grew in ways I never could have imagined.
Losing someone, and growing through it, is something I’m proud of. It wasn’t easy. For a while I truly thought everything was over. I was so focused on one thing that I forgot to look at everything else I have in my life. Once I finally did, I realized there is so much more ahead of me.
Growth is not easy, so here’s what helped me. Maybe it helps you too:
Lean on your friends and family. You don’t have to carry everything alone. The people who show up for you, even on your worst days, are a gift. Let them in.
Acknowledge your emotions. Don’t rush past the hurt or pretend you’re fine and find ways to distract yourself (trust me this is everything I did). Sit with it and let yourself feel it. You can’t heal if you don't validate your emotions.
Understand that change takes time. Outgrowing a season of your life can feel like losing yourself but it’s actually how you find the next version of you.
Pray. When I didn’t have the words or the answers, prayer gave me peace and reminded me I’m not by mysef and I always have God by my side.
So to the girl I was in January: I’m proud of you. To the woman I’m becoming: keep going, there is so much to come!
A letter I read today morning from my dad said this,
So to everyone who is struggling with something right now: you will get through it. I did. It wasn’t easy, but taking small steps every day to grow really helps. So does letting go of the things you can’t change.
Today I’m 21, and I’m so excited for the years to come. This year was hard, but I’m grateful for everything that helped me grow.
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