Well, here I am at 26, watching my life plan crumble before my eyes, and what do I do? Start a blog, of course.

Our twenties seem to come with a laundry list of “shoulds” that leave little room for what we actually desire. As I strolled through college, these “shoulds” danced through my mind like persistent mosquitos at a summer barbecue. I should snag a fancy job downtown, live the quintessential city life sans significant other, and keep up with the latest fashion trends. At 21, I snagged that coveted downtown job, promptly checked it off my list, and despised every moment of it.

Turns out, the glitz and glam of the city grind didn’t quite suit me. It was a dull routine devoid of purpose, where I felt like a lone soldier in a battle I didn’t sign up for. Freshly transplanted from the quiet comforts of rural Quincy to the bustling chaos of Seattle, I struggled to find my footing. I felt like I was playing catch-up, fumbling through cultural nuances, clueless in the professional arena, all while trying to navigate the maze of a new relationship (which, incidentally, was a big reason for my move).

Somewhere along the line, I found myself reaching for NyQuil just to coax myself into sleep—a habit I didn’t realize could spiral into addiction. Mornings became a battleground, with me clinging to my sheets until the last possible moment, often arriving at work teary-eyed and tardy. After a few months of this exhausting routine (and once I felt more secure in my relationship), I finally confided in my now-husband.

After nine grueling months, I bid adieu to that soul-sucking job. The weight lifted off my shoulders was nothing short of euphoric. I took a leap into the world of fitness coaching with Orangetheory, where I found my voice and honed my leadership skills. Then, like a cruel twist of fate, COVID hit. Another blow to my professional aspirations, and I was only 22.

I pivoted once again, this time diving into the realm of ophthalmic technician work, where I found fulfillment for three solid years. Simultaneously, I felt the itch to broaden my technical expertise and pursued nursing school prerequisites. Amidst all this, I tied the knot. Three years down the road, armed with all my prerequisites in hand, I secured a spot in nursing school. Huzzah! My life plan seemed to be finally clicking into place, albeit fashionably late.

But at 26, with thoughts of starting a family looming large, I found myself at a crossroads. When was the right time to expand our little nest? The summer break between my nursing school years seemed like the perfect opportunity. After all, I could juggle being a stellar 4.0 student with the joys of new motherhood, right?

Then, we discovered I was pregnant. Cue the confetti and cheers—genuine ones, this time. But reality hit hard. Turns out, I couldn’t have it all. I couldn’t be fully present in both my studies and at home with my husband, soon-to-be child, and the rest of our tribe. So, with a heavy heart, I made the tough call to drop out.

Our twenties are riddled with these “shoulds,” these expectations that sometimes feel like shackles. But what if we flipped the script? What if, instead of seeing our life plans crumble, we saw it as an opportunity to pause, reflect, and truly consider what we want out of this crazy ride called life?

Maybe it’s embracing motherhood full-time. Maybe it’s launching a blog. Maybe, just maybe, it’s a little bit of both. Let’s give ourselves permission to embrace the uncertainty, to let life unfold as it may.

Through this blog, I hope to embark on a journey of self-discovery, and I invite you to join me. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to lose sight of ourselves amidst the chaos. Yet, I believe it’s crucial to carve out moments for introspection, to reconnect with our true desires and passions. Personally, I’ve always been drawn to laid-back fashion, holistic wellness, and the simple joys of a relaxed lifestyle. These are the pillars I intend to explore in this blog and eventually integrate into my social media presence. Speaking of which, I’ve taken a hiatus from social media for the past two months—a decision that’s brought me immense clarity and peace. Now, as I contemplate my return, I aim to find a balanced approach to navigating the digital realm. So, will you join me on this journey? Dive into my posts, share your thoughts, and perhaps even experiment with some of the ideas I propose? I hope you’ll accompany me as we embark on this adventure together.