In 24 days, I’ll be turning 27. It hasn’t quite sunk in yet that I’m now entering my late twenties, but it has been such a journey.

As I sit and reflect on my 26th year of life, I’m humbled at how much I’ve learned, grown, and been able to experience. Before, birthdays used to make me a little sad because I felt like I didn’t have any big accomplishment to celebrate or anything that had made that past year worthwhile. I now realize that it was because I was so wrapped up in what other people were doing and comparing my life to theirs.

This year has been such a whirlwind and to my surprise, I was really able to embrace that. I got a promotion, traveled, and started doing things I was passionate about. And while all of those things are great, it doesn’t compare to the positive shift in my mindset. I started going to the gym and getting outside and appreciated how much better I felt physically but also how much being active calmed my mind. I started therapy and rather than trying to tackle all of my problems on my own, I learned healthy coping mechanisms and was able to talk things out with someone without feeling like I was constantly burdening my family and friends. I began writing as another way to process my emotions, as well as journaling from time to time so I’d have something to look back on and reflect on my progress.

There were some challenging times that I thought I wouldn’t come back from, yet always managed to find a way. The highs were high and the lows were low, but for once I was grateful to experience everything life had to offer.

So thank you year 26 for showing me who I am, what I’m made of, and all of the potential I have. I have laughed, cried, succeeded, failed, and found the strength to try again. I’ve met beautiful people, seen beautiful countries, and felt freer than I ever have. I know things will not always be easy, but I find solace in knowing that I have built myself up to fight anything that comes my way. As I approach 27, I can only hope to have more experiences that set my heart on fire, push me to better, and continue to set me free.