Thriving Through 26!

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I’m sitting here, thinking about what to say as I turn another year older tomorrow, and honestly, I don’t even know if I’m ready for this. But I’ve decided to be vulnerable and honest with myself, because that’s all I can really do at this point.

So here goes, I’m writing to remind myself that no matter how tough it gets, no matter how much stress and struggle come my way, my dream will not die. It may feel buried under all the pressure, but trust me, it’s still alive. It’s still there, even if it feels like a tiny ember sometimes.

Year 25 was something else. I thought I had it all figured out, but turns out, I didn’t. From the surgeries, to the constant mental battles, to feeling like I was stuck in a never-ending loop of “What am I even doing with my life?”, I’ve been through it. I’ve felt tired. I’ve felt lost.

I’ve cried for nights I can’t remember, questioning whether I would ever find peace or direction. But guess what? I’m still here. I’m still standing, and somehow, I’ve made it through all the mess, all the confusion, and all the chaos.

And that’s something to be proud of. Even when I felt like I was losing, even when I wasn’t sure how to pick up the pieces of my life, I kept going.

I made progress in my career, even if it didn’t always look like it. I tried new things, some worked, some didn’t. I bought new gadgets. But all of that didn’t come without its challenges. I’ve struggled with a deep sense of emptiness at times, and honestly, I’m still figuring out how to fill that void. But I’m not giving up. Not this time.

God. That’s how I made it through. Honestly, it’s been His grace that has kept me alive, kept me breathing when I didn’t want to. When the surgeries tried to take me, God said, "Not today."

When I thought I couldn’t push through any more hard days, God was there, picking me up, lifting my spirit, reminding me that I am stronger than I know. And when I felt alone, He was there with me, even if I couldn’t see it at the time. I know that I’m here by His grace, and I’ll forever be grateful for His protection and love.

So, 26-year-old me, I’m hoping this year brings some clarity, maybe even some peace. I don’t want my heart to be heavy again. I hope I stop running around like a headless chicken trying to figure out life’s big questions (shout out to the “What am I doing with my life?” gang).

I hope I get better at trusting myself and making decisions without stressing about every little thing. I’m hoping to laugh more, like, real belly laughs, the kind that make you forget everything else for a moment.

I’m also hoping that by 26, I’ll have figured out how to handle my emotions a little better. Because sometimes, I feel like I’m on a rollercoaster of emotions; up, down, left, right, and a little bit of “Am I okay?” in between.

I hope I finally learn to breathe, to stop panicking every time something doesn’t go the way I thought it would. I’ll try to stop doubting myself so much. Trust me, no one has been harder on me than me, and it’s time I give myself a break.

Family and friends, they’ve been my backbone this past year. They’ve been the ones picking up the phone when I felt like giving up, the ones who made sure I ate (yes, I’ve had days where I forgot to eat, don’t judge me).

I’ve had moments where I wanted to quit, where I felt like I was too tired to keep fighting. But they were always there to remind me that I wasn’t alone. They’ve been my lifeline, even when I couldn’t see it. I’m hoping this year I lean into that love more, because I tend to forget just how much they mean to me when I’m caught up in my own head.

I also hope that at 26, I’ll start to figure out this thing called “balance.” You know, the mythical concept of balancing work, life, relationships, and a bit of fun? I still don’t know how people manage to do it, but I’m hoping by the end of this year, I’ll have at least some sort of clue. No more all-nighters in the name of “hustle,” no more ignoring my mental health because I’m too busy trying to keep up with everyone else. If I don’t take care of myself, who will, right?

So here’s to 26. A year of peace, growth, and lessons learned. A year where I finally stop pretending that I have everything figured out. A year where I laugh more, cry less (but, let’s be real, I’ll still cry, probably a lot), and take a moment to enjoy the ride.

I’m still figuring out what I want, but I’m not afraid to keep trying. And above all, I won’t let this dream of mine die, not now, not ever.

I’ve got this. And even on the days when I don’t feel like I do, I’m going to keep telling myself that I do. Because if I don’t, who will?

Here’s to 26. To surviving, thriving, and making it all count.

With love, humor, and God’s grace,
Adefunke.