Embracing 26: Lessons, Growth, and the Year Ahead

I’m 26 years young!

Last weekend was my birthday! I turned 26 on March 6. Life has been a blur since graduating college but overall I’ve been so blessed with a stable job, good health, friends, family, I could go on and on. I use to be so down about getting old; the flip side of that coin is that I love aging! You get to learn so much about yourself and life. I have gained so much knowledge, maturity, and confidence since I turned in the keys to my college apartment. Now to get on with this post, three lessons I’ve learned in the past year:

1. Time is finite – I used to think I had all the time in the world to do everything I wanted. But the older I get, the more I realize how quickly time passes, and once it’s gone, I can’t get it back. That’s why I try to be intentional with my time—focusing on what truly matters instead of letting distractions steal it away.

2. Set goals and create steps to achieve them – I’ve always had big dreams, but for the longest time, I didn’t know how to turn them into reality. I’ve learned that setting clear goals and breaking them down into small, manageable steps is the key to making progress. It’s not about making giant leaps overnight—it’s about consistently moving forward, one step at a time. Starting this blog is one step to achieve the creation of my personal brand in a digital space.

3. Confidence is an important key to success – There have been times when I doubted myself and let fear hold me back. But I’ve realized that confidence isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about trusting myself to figure things out along the way. The more I believe in myself, the more opportunities seem to open up, and that mindset shift has made all the difference.

Photos from birthday party

Reflecting on what I’ve learned

So, as I sit here on this ordinary Tuesday in March, reflecting on what I’ve learned, I can’t help but look forward to what’s next. Being 26 feels like a fresh chapter—one where I take everything I’ve learned so far and apply it with even more confidence and intention. I don’t know exactly what this year will bring, but I do know that I want to make the most of my time, chase after the things that excite me, and keep pushing myself outside my comfort zone.

Starting this blog is one way I’m stepping into that mindset—documenting my thoughts, my growth, and everything in between. Maybe a year from now, I’ll look back and see how much I’ve changed, how many new lessons I’ve picked up along the way. If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that I’m ready for whatever 26 has in store.