to 28,

to 28,

Going into my last year of my twenties tomorrow I’ve been thinking about all of the things 29 will bring to me. I know it isn’t really “my last year” of anything, but there’s something about turning the corner on a decade of my life that feels significant. With a birthday around the corner, regardless of the age I’m turning, I always tend to reflect on what the year I just had taught me, gave me, and showed me.

28 was honestly a mix of a lot of different things. Sitting here scrolling through my memories of the year, there was a lot of beautiful. A lot of happy. So much fun, laughter, and unforgettable nights. A lot of special nights. A lot of people who were really there for me and friendships that grew into something even more special.

If I’m being 100% honest with myself though, I think 28 was more of a stepping stone year for me. I don’t think I was really right with myself for a lot of it. And that’s okay. I’m fine to admit that because of where I’m at now.

For the first half of year 28, I was spreading myself really thin. I was trying so hard to be there for other people that I wasn’t there for myself. I was caught up in circles that I was trying to be a part of, seeking approval from people who shouldn’t have had that much weight in my life, and looking at too many situations through rose-colored glasses, knowing deep down what the reality was without having the courage to admit it to myself.

It wasn’t until January of this year that I finally just let all of that go.

I remember talking to Sam about my goals for 2026 when the new year was starting, and the biggest one I had was to live this year in a more feminine energy. I know that can sound dumb and I don’t mean that in simply the sense of just being more girly. I meant being more receiving. Learning to step back and allow and accept rather than constantly chasing results. Getting back to the version of me who shows deep empathy and compassion not only for others, but for myself too, like I used to. Living in the moment and connecting more deeply with my body and emotions, rather than always connecting myself to chaos and trying to keep up with everyone else’s life.

And in this second half of year 28, I think I’ve done a pretty good job of finding my way back to that person.

Since January I’ve made such a conscious effort to just let things be. To let whatever is supposed to come to me, just come. To stop forcing things that are so clearly trying to leave, to stay. Even in a more physical sense I’ve been cooking all these new recipes, taking care of and committing to my body so much better, and honestly even caring more about the way I show up for the world. Those are all things I feel align with a feminine energy too.

Going into year 29, there are a few things I want to tell myself.

Stay on this path. Don’t give up on that goal you set, because it is changing your life in beautiful ways.

Remind yourself that it is okay to be taken care of. Better yet, let yourself be taken care of.

For the last 4 years, in a lot of ways, you haven’t been. And while that has taught you to take great care of yourself, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too, it has also made you really comfortable doing things on your own. That doesn’t mean you always have to though.

You’ve had people there for you. You’ve had people help you and love you. But you’ve done a lot of things on your own that I guess you never thought you would have to. Be proud of the person that created that, but don’t let your ability to carry everything yourself convince you that you always should.

In year 29, don’t dim your light for anyone. Don’t let anyone come in and make you feel like you need to be a different version of you other than your most favorite one. Get back to having so much fun no matter what anyone says, and literally just doing whatever the hell you want.

I’ve always loved sunsets. Obviously because I think they’re pretty, but also because they make me feel a way that nothing else in the world really does.

When I look at one, I feel every emotion.

Gratitude for the day coming to a close. Nostalgia and some sort of bittersweet heartache for the moments I miss. Pure sentiment for the opportunity to experience a life so beautiful. Amazement at a view that so many people, living completely different stories, are sharing at the exact same time. And hope in knowing that tomorrow, the sun will come up and we get to do it all again.

So tonight, I give year 28 it’s sunset.

28 is over, but it has given me beautiful things to look at as I let it go. I can be grateful for everything it gave me without wishing for it to stay. I can appreciate the view while being so so ready for what comes next. Because an ending isn’t emptiness; it’s creating room for another beginning.

And to year 29, I plan to make you the best one yet. And I mean that wholeheartedly, not just in the cliché “this will be my best year yet” way. I mean it because I can truly feel it with every day I’ve had these last 6 months and that energy continuing. I can just feel that this one will be different, because right now, I’m my favorite version of me I’ve been in so long.

So here’s to all the golden hours that 29 will hold. I can’t wait to experience you.