BIRTHDAY POST: I'M ALMOST 23!

It's not 12:00 a.m. yet. There's about four hours and twelve minutes until, the 29th. I received early birthday gifts from my aunt this past weekend but it didn't completely sink in that I'll soon by 23 years old but it's seems as if it's starting to now! I wasn't that excited at first but since yesterday evening I have been. My 23rd year of life "officially" begins around 5:00-6:00 in the morning!

I'm sure my phone will be ringing off the hook with calls and text messages when the clock strikes 12:00 a.m. and not to mention social media notifications. This year is flying by! It's weird to think that I'll be 23. Getting older is a blessing and scary! As I reflect on this year and being 22, it has been an exciting one yet one that has challenged me to really take time out to get to know myself more. It's easy to get so caught up in every day tasks and not make time to think about things such as what you like, don't like and truly want out of life. Being 22 and thinking about how I will soon be a year older brings about a little anxious when it comes to me figuring out what it is that I REALLY want to do with my life.

Some of you may be thinking "a year isn't that much time" but a lot can be done in 365 days and when the days go by fast that can make a person think otherwise. But, with that being said, 22 came with me graduating from college, self-discovery, developing more patience, starting this blog website, and so much more! 22 also came with some difficult moments..someone close to me recently passed away, the process of being patient (YES, I MENTIONED IT AGAIN) and 2017 has been the one year when I have felt behind, according to my timeline. Key word here is "MY!" I constantly need to remind myself that "its not about my timing but God's." If you find yourself discouraged, comparing yourself to others, impatient, confused, not where you want to be..you should keep that in mind as well. Things will happen how they're meant to and when they're meant. So don't go on Instagram see others' engagements, new job or baby posts and get in your "feelings." Maybe, it just isn't your time yet! It's easy to compare your journey to others but when you notice yourself doing so, take a step back and intentionally think about how and WHY you are on a different journey and the significance of that.

As I prepare to enter into a new season in my life, I plan to take the lessons I've learned from the previous one with me as I focus on being more present, enjoying the moment I am in, making the best out of every situation, not letting society or what I perceive as milestones prevent me from being happy and making the most out of the life that God so graciously has given me. It's okay to have plans and goals but it's even better to know when to take a step back and with open arms, allow God to be the driver when the road is foggy on this journey called, "life" [Psalm 56:3] and enjoy the ride. And I'm excited to be more purposeful about doing so.

On that note, I already started celebrating! I got my nails done after work today and wanted to create this blog to share some of the experiences that 22 brought me, what I've learned and what turning 23 means to me! Growing up isn't all that bad after all lol. It's a blessing to see another year! Before anything, thanking God for allowing me to see it is most important. I'm looking forward to starting off my day with a productive work day and getting dinner with some amazing coworkers then continuing the celebration over the weekend! Let's make a wish together to living life..purposefully, taking-risks and not putting too much weight on our shoulders!

Blow out the candles!

Thanks in advance for all the birthday wishes,

-K.T.