This is a mandatory birthday post.

My 26th birthday is coming up. Let me just have a moment to take that in? TWENTY-SIX!?

While I am truly grateful to have lived such a wonderful life so far – I still feel like a lost teen playing adult👧.

In the grand scheme of things, me reaching another year of my twenties is not all that – grand. But I still think I have some thoughts worth sharing😇.

I was initially going to drone on about how life is so unfair for young people. Having to deal with societal pressures and just ‘figure life out’ – all within the span of a decade.

But I digress…Instead, here is my positive take on a somewhat turbulent time in human life.

You start to love your own company

I don’t remember having many friends as a child or teen. I was not popular, nor did I stand out much at school. It’s something I was always insecure about. And I often sacrificed parts of myself to fit in by certain groups or with people: because the thought of being alone scared me so much.

Now, as a young adult, I finally feel happy in my own company😊. Comfortable in my body. And content in the values and opinions I hold. I will never (again) let myself down for the sake of not being ‘alone’🤗.

Plus, the relationships I have made during this time of my life have been more meaningful, more grown up, with less drama✨️.

Love is real, and it exists in you

No, I am not saying this because I got married in my twenties, but because I learned it the hard way.

Love is fickle and is in no way unconditional. You’re kidding yourself if you think this is love. Humans come with conditions, baggage, emotions🙂🙃, history, and more baggage. True love only comes after you put in the work.

Work to build trust. You need to WORK at openly communicating, being honest, and setting boundaries. Work on YOUR character flaws or past traumas that hold you back. Self-love is the key to expressing love❤️.

Do not be fooled by friends who were only around when times were good. Be kind to your parents. Give yourself some grace🌱, time to grieve, and space to grow.

You begin to love how big the world is

Take note of where you can learn. The situations that test you. The people who test you. Take it all as opportunities to level up. These experiences are going to help you mature like cheddar💸!

Your twenties are the time when you build your foundation for the future. The time when you grow your emotional intelligence👩‍🏫 and resilience. And the best time to learn when it’s important to let go.

You begin to value people who are older – your parents, aunties and uncles, grandparents – and the knowledge they’ve gained by traversing the highs and lows of life🤱.

And that’s all for now!

I know I am now certified ‘ancient’ to the iPad kids. But really, there shouldn’t be any pressure to have to ‘make it’ so early in life. There is literally a whole life ahead of you – Zahraa💚.

Find my online thrift store: https://www.yaga.co.za/zahraa-schroeder