I came across this piece of writing while browsing on the Internet on a summer day in 2018. Now I can’t remember who wrote this but it was so beautiful that I’ve kept it in my writing corner since then.

On the last day of my 25th year I’ve escaped the hustle and bustle of everyday life and everyday environments to spend a weekend alone, playing in the snow, decompressing, and reflecting.

This year has been a journey for me.

After what feels like a lifetime of trying to be something I’m not, I feel like I’ve finally learned to be okay with who I really am.

So much of my life until recently has been a constant struggle of trying and failing at stuffing a square peg into a round hole. Deep in the folds of my consciousness it feels like an emergency parking brake has disengaged and been released.

I am not a square peg, and I honor that.

I honor my voice. I honor my spirit and my body. I honor the space I take up on this planet.

I honor that my existence is meaningful.

As well as my mistakes, bridges burned, paths unexplored and stones unturned.

I honor my shame. My grief. The challenges I’ve overcome and the hardships I’ve endured.

I am especially thankful for my struggles.

I am thankful for my strengths which this year I’ve come to deeply understand and appreciate– my self-awareness, ability to communicate, perspective, humor and (sometimes brutal) honesty. As well as my optimism and deep love of humanity.

I’m also thankful for my weaknesses. The parts of me that still need work. My ego. My addictions. My perfectionism which has caused me to give up on things at the first sight of choppy waters. The parts of me which are still selfish and mean. As well as my uncanny ability to misplace my keys.

These parts remind me that my journey of self-discovery isn’t over, but just beginning.

I’m also thankful for you. And your journey.

However our paths have crossed, be you a close friend, a far-away acquaintance, or complete stranger– please reach out and share with me a small piece of your story. Share your deepest fears, insecurities, greatest triumphs, or anything in between. Give me a call anytime or shoot me a message out of the blue– I will listen.

• 10.06.2018