25

The days before I turned 25 were spent busying myself with work and attempting to be an adult. The pressure, or rather, the sudden need to get my act together were what moved the gears. That, coupled with my second year of celebrating away from the people I grew up with - the ones I know and love, the ones who feel the same. 

I guess that's what led my heart to feel like the day shouldn't be a big deal. That it needn't be special. So I filled it up with everything practical. I got health stuff sorted, I saw the doctors about my anxiety, a skin therapist about the parts of I hate. I started looking at tools to help me manage my finances and started using words like "manage my finances".

It didn't feel special and lying in bed, this wasn't the way I wanted to greet another year. So here goes:

Dear One-Year Older Me, 

You have turned a quarter of a century old - if you live to be a hundred, and even if you do, 25 doesn't seem like a lot.

You've made it this far.

Through the fears, challenges, heartbreaks, joys, times you felt like giving up but went on for another day and another till we're here now. I hope you are better this year than all the other years put together. I hope you are strong, braver, smarter, kinder, more generous, less hurt and more loved than ever before. 

I hope you learn from your mistakes and take the time to be better. When tough days arrive, know that you've met and conquered them before and that you'll make it through just one more and then one more, till we get to where we need to be. 

You're older now and I'm not even sure what that means but be good, be kind, be less annoyed. You have an extra year of lessons under your belt. Use it, help others. And above all, try not to give up. 

"Never give up. Win." - Adam J.K

Love, 

Me.