Once in a while, I face challenges that remind me just how much I’ve grown over the years. I’ve come to understand that challenges are actually opportunities for personal growth—and that some setbacks are blessings in disguise. Looking back, my younger self could never have imagined how resilient I would become.

She would be proud of how much my perspective has shifted as I’ve grown older and wiser. I used to cling so tightly to people, places, and things that I ended up suffocating the very opportunities life was offering me—to explore, to learn, and to flourish in unfamiliar territory. It was hard to say no to things that drained my energy and happiness. But over time, I’ve learned that while life can be unpredictable and full of obstacles, I have the power to choose my perspective. And today, I choose to believe in myself and trust that I can handle whatever comes my way.

There was a time when I believed strength meant always keeping it together—never showing vulnerability, never asking for help, and always being there for others, even at the expense of my own well-being. But now I know that true strength lies in authenticity: in being honest about my struggles, in setting boundaries, and in choosing to care for myself with the same love and compassion I show others. Sometimes, strength means walking away from what no longer serves me and protecting my peace.

My younger self would be proud of the boundaries I’ve learned to set, and the calm I’ve created within. Most of all, she’d be proud that I didn’t give up on myself. That through every fear, failure, and uncertainty, I kept going. I grew into someone who not only survives life’s storms but dances in the rain when they come. Someone who doesn’t just chase dreams but creates a life rooted in purpose, compassion, and self-love.