The day this article is being uploaded happens to be my 20th birthday. It feels almost customary for me to write an article with my birthday in mind, even if this is only my second year doing it. Being honest, my birthday generally has been a topic of anxiety for me. It comes and I am instantly reminded of my mortality, of the fact that I am alive and have been for x amount of time. The thing is, I’ve become far more comfortable with the concept of aging. The older I get, the less anxious I become, and the more I realize how much of a blessing life is.
Before I keep going, I want to say that I’m not a religious person. It isn’t something I grew up with and it isn’t something I sought out. This isn’t to say I’m not interested—I think religion is something beautiful in itself, something that can bring a lot of people a sense of community and comfort. With that being said, you might be thinking, Tess, why are you saying life is a blessing if you aren’t religious? And my response to that is, blessing’s don’t have to have a religious connotation; it can just be something you’re lucky to have and grateful for. That’s how I feel about life; I’m lucky to have the one I have, and I’m grateful for it.
My life hasn’t been easy at all. It’s been really hard, honestly. The thing is, getting older has brought to my attention how beautiful the little things are. I have friends who I care about, and who care about me in return. I’m going to college for something I’m passionate about and that I love deeply. I’m currently dating someone who brings me a sense of peace that nobody has brought me before. I live in a place where nature is always beautiful, sunsets are lovely, and the air always feels crisp.
I have a cat who brings me indescribable joy (despite her being a little sh*t at times). I write stories that I want to write. I read books that match my interests, I test myself by trying new things at least once a week, and I change up my routine just to keep myself on my toes. I meditate more, focus on myself more, and enjoy my life more, solely because of these tiny things I had never thought to enjoy before. I am in love with life. Despite it never being easy, it is a beautiful thing that I have learned to cherish. I can only hope I will continue to have that feeling as I get older and gain more life experience. Although I am nervous about entering my 20’s, I’m also really excited. It’s a new chapter in my life that I’ll be welcoming with open arms.