turning 23
jan 16, 2026
9:51 AM (really sleepy and poor writing)
i think i’m doing this growing up thing right. well, i hope so. today i turn 23, and i woke up to a call from my best friend and a phone full of messages, all overflowing with love. i know i’m just a normal girl, but moments like this make me realize how rich my life feels. rich in people who show up and reminds me i’m supported, even when the world feels big. i am currently in the comfort of my own bed, with my family around me, surrounded by familiar noise and warmth. i am exactly where i want to be, and this is more than enough of what i could ever ask for.
as i reflect on 22, i want to say this is the best version i’ve been of myself so far. of course there is always, always room for improvement, but as i stand here now, i feel more at ease with who i am. i’m learning what matters to me, what i’m willing to let go of, and how to show up for myself with more patience and honesty. i’m proud of the growth that isn’t always visible, the lessons learned the hard way, and the softness i’ve allowed back into my life. if this is what becoming looks like, i’m grateful for every step that brought me here. and honestly? i can satisfactorily say (knocking on wood) that if this were the last day of me being here on earth, i would be happy knowing i lived with love, curiosity, and intention. i’ve felt deeply, laughed loudly, taken chances, and let myself be changed by people and places. there’s still so much i want to do, but i’m at peace with what i’ve already lived, and this fulfillment is enough.
this year, believe it or not, i took chances on myself for the FIRST time. i took a gap semester and traveled to europe. i gave myself permission to pause instead of constantly pushing forward and spent real time with friends. even when i already had a FT offer lined up, i decided to take a risk, picked up another great internship, and lived away from home. that summer, i stressed endlessly, unsure of what would come next, and somehow it still gave me everything i hoped for. i traveled with my best friends in new york and across europe. i worked several customer service jobs for the first time. I freaking graduated. And now i have two great FT offers from amazing companies. through all of it, i let myself want things out loud. i chose experiences over comfort, honesty over convenience, and growth over familiarity. some things worked out, some didn’t, but every choice felt like it was mine. and that alone makes this year unforgettable.
so, for 23, i hope to continue becoming and to honor the version of me that got me here. i hope to move through this year with intention and understand and that i don’t need everything figured out. i just want to keep showing up as myself, trusting that the rest will meet me along the way.
