Chapter Twenty-Eight

Hello hello! 

September… my absolute favorite month of the year (yes, I’m biased), is about to end, which means… My birthday’s coming up!

I’ve always loved my birthdays. For me, they are much more than just a way to commemorate another “trip around the sun”. They act as a platform for fresh starts, a time for introspection and a chance for me to personally set goals that are tailored to my personal growth, and the significance they hold in my heart makes them more tangible and attainable.. Not in the typical way of making New Year’s resolutions, but rather in a deeply intimate one!

My birthday often has an enchanting way of making me feel special. It marks the anniversary of my existence, reminding me that I have another year of fond memories and endless possibilities ahead. There’s an excitement that comes with starting a fresh chapter in the book of my life. It’s a time to celebrate my unique journey and appreciate the experiences that have shaped me thus far.

Unlike New Year’s resolutions, which often feel like societal expectations or transient pledges, this allows me to reflect on the past year of my life. It’s a time of year where I can be honest with myself about what truly matters to me.

I see myself in a meeting with my other selves sitting around a room having truthful conversation. I expect myselves to tell me everything, the good and the bad I’ve put them through this year. It’s a conversation where we open our hearts to each other and evaluate our friendships. We provide feedback to one another and, ideally, exit without any disputes.

Although I may occasionally be harsh on myself, I try to remind myself that we love me. We are a team. And we won’t be turning against one another. I’d like to think that I have an inherent flexibility that empowers me to embrace my imperfections.

This also provides an ideal opportunity for gratitude. Of course, 27 hasn’t been my best year, in fact, it ranks high on my list of “not-so-good” years, but despite this, there were moments that have quite literally rocked my world and lessons that I wouldn’t have wanted to learn any other way.

I sit here, deeply conscious of the downsides that 27 has presented, but for the first time this year, I’m focusing only on the positives. I have a feeling that the upcoming three days will be filled with more fond farewells than bitter ones. I’ve been whining to my friends about how much this year “sucked” all year, but as I sit here and write this, I believe that it was the most eye-opening and crucial year of my life. So, yes, I LOVED my 27th! It had no trouble exposing all of my shortcomings, and I wish to carry everything with me into my 28th.

So, let us welcome each new year of life with open arms, cherishing the past while eagerly stepping into the future. Here’s to the joy of birthdays, where the commitment to personal growth is personal, true, and deeply gratifying.

Happy birthday to me!

XOXO, 

FFB, a year older 

(in three days)