To My 20's

Does your birthday ever make y’all reflective or just me?

I just had my 21st birthday recently, and although I am grateful for every year I have on this Earth, year 20 for me was very transformative.

The decade of your 20s is one that has many stereotypes. Your 20’s are known for being a bridge from your teenage/high school years into college and/or the workforce; they are also known for entering the era of adulthood.

I know legally you are considered an adult at 18, but for me, that is a scary thought…

I look at who I was when I was 18 compared to me as a 20 year old—21 year old now WOW—and see soooooo many changes and new perspectives that I didn’t have and have since developed.

In my poetry class this past semester, we wrote “addresses” to certain people, objects, or memories that we have had as young adults so far. For me, I chose to write one, titled, “To my 20’s”—reflecting on this time in my life, pondering over past moments, and appreciating the present moment of this new era.

I thought it would be fitting to share it now because of the timely associations it holds. The poem is mostly a back & forth discussion between my internal dialogue & I, referred to as “you” in the poem.

My 20’s have taught me a lot so far: from the cringy moments, the mistakes, the lessons, the growth, the victories, the up’s, the down’s, and everything in between. Despite it all, I hope to carry this with me throughout the rest of them.

I hope y’all enjoy!

To My 20's

Sticky notes, planners, visible quotes, career meetings, appointments, timers:

You’re preparing for the woman you want to become.

So much is still unknown.

You spend the first few dwelling on the teens,

that took from your spirit,

the pain that you couldn’t hardly bear it.

You didn’t identify with the lies.

You saw the harsh reality from “friends”.

How one can have the truth bend.

The truth you saw, wasn’t the same,

despite the betrayals that remained.

So much is still unknown.

You became one of your own,

singing pop 2k in the wrong tone.

You reminisce.

You’re nostalgic.

You decided what was of value; it’s in your bones.

You pushed though,

you grew—

just as the Starbucks coffee brewed.

You made space, for what’s needed:

that of grace.

So much is still unknown.

You’re chasing time; you look forward.

The future looks on you with laughter.

She says: “please don’t make fun of my seemingly disaster”.

The decisions are looming—to do this or that, which option?

Of course, while albeit, you’re unconsciously blooming.

Ask yourself: How do you make the most of it? More importantly, who do you want to be?

Answer: Carry yourself with grace, be who you were raised to be. Your identity must be true, true of that to you.

Ask: Does this identify with you?

So much is still unknown.

Day in & day out

make a friend with the past,

say thank you for the last.

Grasping essences until they slip away,

they aren’t found if they’re faded gray.

Looking through the looking glass,

constantly on the search for who you are.

Attract what you radiate,

don’t just choose simply what you validate.

Open your mind to the places, faces, and the values you want to hold.

Don’t contribute to being a part of any molds.

Conformity is not a friend,

nor the majority,

even kin.

Ask: How can you make a friend with your twenties?

Answer: I am not sure.

So much is still unknown.

While so much is still unknown, you’re happy, grateful.

Always striving to live with grace you are.

You might as well try anyways; it’s in your name.

I have decided. Even yet while still so much is unknown, I do know this:

Be it in your twenties—even if it’s kinda funny—

be authentically you.

My birthday wish for you

is that you recognize it too.

Welcome 21,

Grace