I woke up one morning and screamed. Not the scream of ‘OMG! It’s my birthday and I’m elated!’ But the scream of ‘OMG! My 20s are almost over, I’m screwed!’

You see, like many young people, I put so much pressure on my twenties. Being blessed to be done with the university at age 20, I was so sure I’d be a successfully married woman with two kids and over a million dollars in my accounts. Yup! That was the dream. I also wanted to be a Foreign Affairs Minister. Haha.

But you see, right now I’m none of those things, and yes the twenties are almost over. However, this isn’t a ‘pity me’ post, rather one that celebrates the path I’m on. You see, I have been on a journey of discovery… in terms of traveling, experiencing new cultures, making virtual connections from different parts of the world, exploring different career fields and industries. I have written loads of poems, started my creative stores, and have blessed some people (and still blessing more to come). I could never have imagined this for myself!

By God’s grace, I ran a 29 -day challenge where I focused on doing things that I always wanted to do but did not have time for. From practical things like visiting the dentist, getting new glasses, to whimsical things like watching the sunrise and sunset, practicing mindfulness through yoga, turning off my phone for a day and just being in the moment. I also went beyond myself by paying attention to others- providing help, listening to a stranger’s story and making new international friends. This challenge may seem random, but it isn’t. It has extended me and even made me more self-aware.

When you are in your twenties, even if you’re confused and uncertain about your aims and purposes, you have a strong sense of what life itself is, and of what you in life are, and might become.

Julian Barnes

Life is a marathon, and while the ultimate goal is to make Heaven, it’s also really fulfilling to set and achieve goals while here on earth. What I’ve learned from the goals I set for my twenties is that while they are valid and meaningful goals, it’s alright not to achieve them all right now. Why? Because it allows you to keep running without becoming complacent. No matter how many heartbreaks I’ve had, I still believe in true love. No matter how many highs and lows I’ve had in my career, I still believe I have a place where I will shine excellently. God has blessed me with the freedom to become all He wants me to be. And yes, it’s a journey that may seem really bleak sometimes, but I know it’s not yet over. We’re just getting started!

Our job in this life is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it.

Steven Pressfield

So here’s to the last year as a twenty-something. It’s going to be mind-blowing! Great is His Faithfulness!!!💃💃💃

Lots of love,

M.