Today’s my birthday. Another trip around the sun. Another candle on the cake. And if I’m being honest, it feels a little surreal.
When you’re a kid, birthdays are all balloons and sugar rushes—loud, messy, joyful. But as we get older, they start to take on a different tone. It’s less about the party hats and more about quiet reflection. Not in a gloomy way—just in a thoughtful, “Huh, I’ve lived through some things” kind of way.
There’s something both comforting and unsettling about getting older. On one hand, it means more experiences, more stories, more people loved and lessons learned. On the other, it means change. It means letting go of versions of yourself that no longer fit, and stepping into ones that might still feel a little unfamiliar.
I’ve found that each year teaches me something new—even if I don’t realize it in the moment. This past year, I learned how to let go of control a little more. I learned that time isn’t something you “make”—it’s something you prioritize. I learned who I can truly count on, and who I need to stop chasing. I learned that small joys (a good cup of coffee, a long walk, a kind word) matter more than big, flashy moments.
Getting older doesn’t scare me like it used to. In fact, there’s a quiet strength in it. There’s grace in showing up for yourself again and again, even when things are messy or uncertain. There’s beauty in being able to say, “I don’t know everything—but I’m trying.”
So today, I’ll blow out the candle. I’ll make a wish. And I’ll step into this new chapter with gratitude, curiosity, and maybe a slice of cake.
Here’s to growing. Here’s to evolving. Here’s to another year of becoming a better me.
