Thoughts of a 20 Something Year Old

Ever pause just to wonder? I do, all the time. I wonder how I’ll ever choose just one passion when I have so many deep interests. How can I possibly pick one path to pursue?

I wonder what life would have looked like if I had taken a different turn when the road divided. I wonder why life isn’t linear and how we’re supposed to make forward-looking plans when nothing is ever truly certain.

But along the way, I’ve noticed one constant: everything is perspective.

The illusion of having it all together, of being perfect, is just that, an illusion. Growth doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from struggle, from taking risks, and from stepping outside our comfort zone.

No one is going to force us to chase our dreams or figure out what we truly want from life. It’s up to us to take gradual steps in the right direction, leaning in and resisting the fear that we’re missing out on something better.

Choose a growth mindset.

Don’t waste time overthinking the image you’re creating for the world. Instead, focus on being genuine. The people who are meant to stay will respect your authenticity, and those who don’t were never meant to.

Life is a collection of moments and experiences that shape who we are becoming. So with every decision I make, I think of my future self. Would she be proud of the person I am becoming?

Over time, I’ve come to see the power of community and mentorship. There is wisdom in seeking guidance from those we admire, from the people whose lives reflect the kind of person we hope to grow into. We’re all walking different paths, but with the help of others, we can find our first steps and clarify our priorities.

I’ve learned to follow my curiosities and embrace the life of a lifelong learner. There’s so much to gain from our younger selves, especially the reminder to live a life full of color and creativity, not one dulled by fear or conformity.

We are given passions for a reason. Pursue them. And understand that those passions might change, because we will change.

Being happy and kind is a choice.

We won’t feel content until we give ourselves the grace to pause, look back, and appreciate all we’ve overcome just to arrive at this moment.

So I try to enjoy the journey and learn from it. I have no regrets, because every decision I’ve made has shaped who I am today. I carry with me a lifetime of stories.

I’m far from perfect, but I am content. I’m not pretending to have everything figured out. Instead, I’m open, open to life’s lessons and to the people I meet along the way. I’m excited to learn their stories as I write my own.

I am, now and always, living the dream.

The odds of any of us being alive, exactly as we are in this moment, are one in 400 trillion. So why not live fully, embrace our uniqueness, and appreciate the simple gift of being alive?

Say yes when opportunity presents itself.

Don’t let fear or insecurity hold you back.

Be the change you want to see, and never try to be a version of yourself that you’re not.