Thoughts as I Turn 22

"I don't know about you, but I'm feeling..." - Taylor Swift

Here I am again. My reflective soul comes out every time my birthday comes closer. It's like a twin that has been sleeping the whole year and wakes up when it's another time to add another year.

I will be 22 on the 22nd of March, 2024. To be honest, I didn't notice myself getting older. I didn't notice that another year was coming my way. All I know is that I am getting wiser and that I'm getting a lot of experience.

During my 21st year, a lot of things happened and changed. I discovered a lot of things about myself. I got to know new people and friends. I have been to new places. I especially got to experience new things. And I am very grateful to have experienced all those things.

The first year of my defining decade was full of roller coaster rides. Headaches had been all over the place, but still, it didn't stop me from going on. Actually, I've learned a few more things about myself, and I keep learning. I still remember how I anticipated my 21st birthday because I thought a big change would come my way. But I learned that we don't change overnight. We change so constantly and gradually that we don't even realize we're changing. Well, it's scary to think about it, but I'll do it anyway. The mere fact that I am existing and improving serves as a sign that I deserve to live and experience the world. Honestly, I had a lot of promises I made last year that I didn't achieve, but it didn't hurt that much. I learned that a plan without consecutive actions really won't be achieved, no matter how hard we try. I admit that I procrastinated a lot this year. I wasted too many hours. But I didn't regret them. In fact, I am grateful that I experienced it, learned from it, and am now improving. If I had never made those mistakes, what would I look like now?

When I play Taylor Swift's "22", I always remember the line, "We're happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time." And this is what I expect for my 22nd year. And I think it has always been like this. Sometimes, we find ourselves in the middle of Catch-22, with baffled expressions, staring at the labyrinth leading nowhere. I think that's just how life works. All we need to do is figure things out. So for the next entire year of my life, I will do my best to make it the best year. For sure, this is the year where things will drastically change as I graduate from college (manifesting!) and get to experience more new things. And I am totally ready for it! From now on, I'll walk down the path that is in front of me. And go on. And breathe. And be free.