BIG GIRL TIME

There is really something about turning 25 that feels… significant. Not in a dramatic way, but in a quiet, reflective one. Like I’m standing at the edge of one version of myself and gently stepping into another. My early twenties taught me a lot, some beautiful things, some hard things, and some patterns I didn’t even realize I had formed. And now, as I grow, I’m realizing that becoming who I want to be isn’t just about learning new things, it’s about unlearning what no longer serves me.

One of the biggest things I’m unlearning is the need to always be available. I used to respond immediately, say yes without thinking, and stretch myself thin trying to be everything for everyone. Especially in my love life, I confused availability with value. I thought being there at all times made me more lovable, more chosen. But all it really did was leave me with no time for myself. I’m learning that boundaries are not rejection, they are protection. And the right people won’t be threatened by them.

I’m also unlearning the habit of rushing through my own life. Somewhere along the way, I started moving through my routines like they were tasks to complete instead of moments to experience. Everything became quick, efficient, and honestly… a little empty. Now I’m learning to romanticize my routines again. Not every day, not in a forced or unrealistic way, but intentionally. Taking an everything shower and actually enjoying it. Making my bed and spraying a linen mist. Brushing my teeth slowly and appreciating the feeling of being clean. Life doesn’t always need to be rushed, especially when there’s nowhere I truly need to be but present.

Another hard truth I’ve had to face is that it’s not cute to be abrasive. I used to think that in order to be respected or not taken advantage of, I had to be sharp, a little hard, a little unapproachable. Like softness meant weakness. But I’m learning that being kind doesn’t mean being a pushover. You can be gentle and still have boundaries. You can be warm and still be firm. There’s a strength in softness that I didn’t understand before, but I’m starting to embrace it now.

I’m also unlearning the habit of starting my days in chaos. Waking up 15 minutes before I need to leave, rushing out the door, already behind, it never set me up to feel my best. It set the tone for stress, not intention. I’ve realized that how I start my morning shapes everything. Waking up earlier isn’t about productivity for me, it’s about peace. It’s about giving myself time to breathe, to think, to exist before the world starts asking things from me.

And finally, I’m becoming more aware of what I consume, because what I take in is shaping who I become. The content I watch, the voices I listen to, the environments I immerse myself in, they all influence me more than I’d like to admit. If I’m constantly watching travel content, I start to crave movement and exploration. If I’m listening to sermons, I feel drawn closer to God. If I’m surrounded by content centered on partying and chaos, I feel pulled in that direction too. So now I’m asking myself more intentional questions: Does this align with the life I’m trying to build? Does this reflect who I want to become?

This isn’t about perfection. It’s not about suddenly becoming a completely different person overnight. It’s about awareness. It’s about choosing differently, little by little. Letting go of habits that once felt necessary, but now feel heavy.

My early twenties taught me how to survive, how to make due with what I have, how to show up. But this next chapter? I want it to be about alignment. About peace. About softness, intention, and faith.

What about you? What season of your life do you feel like you are going into? Let me know in the comments TTYL!