Birthday Reflections

Today I turn 23.

In honor of this, I’ve been reflecting a lot on everything that I’ve done and that’s happened to me in the past year. I’m often very hard on myself, but when I think about everything I’ve endured and celebrated in the past year…I’m pretty damn proud of myself.

I made it through a very difficult breakup.

I began the process of finding myself again and dove back into my yoga practice.

I graduated from Virginia Tech cum laude with a bachelors degree in Biological Systems Engineering and a minor in Biomedical Engineering.

I moved back home.

I spent months searching for a job. One of the most discouraging processes I’ve ever been through.

I started my 200-hour yoga teacher training.

I went off social media.

I got a job as a substitute teacher.

Before I started that job, I got a job as a Medical Research Assistant doing HIV and Zika Virus research.

I went vegetarian and then vegan two months later…very difficult for someone in the medical research field…

I moved out to a beautiful condo on the water that my family owns.

I endured some heartbreak.

I started dealing with anxiety and depression.

I started a blog.

I moved back home after realizing I wasn’t in a good place to be living by myself.

I read at least 15 books.

I went on a yoga retreat with my greatest inspiration and met so many truly incredible people.

I opened up my blog to the world and got the most inspiring response.

I went back to creating art.

I got an apartment in the city… signing the lease next week and moving in June 1st!

I signed up to teach my first yoga class next week.

I made it through to my last month of yoga teacher training and will be graduating the first weekend of May!

I’ve been through so much in the past year, and I’m so grateful for every little bit of it because it’s brought me to where I am today. My life is far from perfect but I can feel myself becoming more and more true to myself and what I want out of this life.

So thankful for everyone who helped me through my low points and celebrated with me at my highs.

Happy birthday to ME!!