24.

Today has been overwhelming, to say the least.

I turned 24, today, and absolutely nothing about my life has changed, except for the fact that I have to update my age to ’24’ on all my socials.

Well, one thing that has changed is the fact that I value my existing pool of the people I choose to surround myself with even more. It’s not just because they are thoughtful or mindful about the way they see me as a part of their lives, but it’s also because of how much I’m beginning to understand that some people will go above and beyond for you even if they aren’t related to you by blood.

I wasn’t expecting this to be a big bash or anything because I have no stamina for big social events anymore. But I secretly did hope that the day took a turn for the better, and in many ways, it really did.

It’s not that my friends and family don’t often remind me of how grateful they are for my presence in their lives, but it is a whole other thing to be celebrated for it. I think I can allow myself this one tiny moment of narcissism to say that I am glad that I am surrounded by people who celebrate me when it matters the most. Because I know that when the roles are reversed, I would do it for them, too.

This year has been one filled with many trials. It has tested my patience and resilience at many different points, in many different situations. I’ve grown from being the hot-headed one to being someone much calmer. I’ve learned to take better care of myself and to be grateful for everything that my body does for me, to keep me alive. I’m grateful for my friends who have never given up on me, and only believed in me to do my best. I’m grateful for all the lessons I’ve learned, for the achievements I’ve made, for the milestones crossed, and for all that I am going to be in the upcoming year.

But most importantly, let me tell you that your age is not a ticking clock above your head. You’re not going to feel any different when you turn a certain age. You’re not going to figure things out magically, like how to be a functional adult or to know how to plan your lives 10 years ahead, as you turn a certain age.

People are going to remind you, at all times, that you’re a certain age and that you need to have crossed certain milestones by this age. But that’s just something all of us have got to learn how to brush off of our shoulders because there is no rule-book to life. You figure things out as you go.

You don’t know who’s going to stay, who’s going to leave, whom you’re going to love, who’s going to break your heart, who’s going to stay by your side, who’s going to go above and beyond for you– and a bunch of other non-questions that really don’t have any kind of answers that will convince you. Honestly, nobody ever knows how they’re going to deal with life, unless and until they finally do it.

My advice to you is to not be ashamed of your progress, and to always be willing to expand your horizons a lot further than you had imagined for yourself.

Everything else that comes with life, you’ll figure it out. Eventually. Slowly. Over a very long time.

But you’ll come out a lot wiser on the other side. I promise. Xx

---

Featured Image by Jennie Brown on Unsplash