Every year before my birthday, I’d sit myself down to reflect on the past year. It’s also a reminder to myself all that I’ve achieved and to really thank myself for… just being me.

The past few months have not been easy. I was faced with difficult decisions that would change my life forever. Not everything is resolved, but such is life right? We just get better at dealing with our emotions, managing relationships and learning to let go when the time is right.

I am blessed to have people who truly care about me, who have showered me with so much love during this period. It’s not been easy, but I know I can deal with the curveballs as they’re thrown my way.

I remember the time I turned 20. Being a goal-oriented person, I had set so many goals and I wanted to tick off certain milestones and achievements. I knew your 20s was gonna be the most jam-packed time, having to: find a partner, date enough to know who you want to settle down with, get married, travel, move through the ranks at work…

Alas, not much has happened to my love life though I must say I’ve grown wiser and have a clearer picture of what I want. COVID has truly set us back and taken 2 years of our lives away. It almost feels like a reset now that the world has reopened. But I’ve really grown to like myself more during this time – going through the grind, and nurturing the next batch of talent at work. It’s been fulfilling.

Now, as I turn 30, I’ve not actually set any hard goals for myself. I want to live in the moment, experience new lifestyles, and just continue to work on a better version of myself. I want to remind myself never to stop learning, continue to be selfless (even if people around you have their agendas), and just… be me. I never want to change because of society’s pressure on women, or to pander to people. But what I also want to tell myself is that time is most telling of people’s characters.

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Dear Olly,

You do you, and just keep going. Things will be fine.

Love,

Myself.