This is something that I wrote for Facebook as a new year post, but I think that it translates well as an Odyssey article as well.

To put it very bluntly, this decade really sucked for me. I experienced so much hardship, adversity, heartbreak, and loss; probably way more than anyone my age should have by this point in their life. I struggled fiercely (and still do) with my confidence, mental health, and self-worth. I lost my way before I even began to figure out who I actually am, and that's a really scary place to be in having recently entered my twenties.

Despite the terribleness of these years, I did fight some light in the dark, thanks to my discovery of theatre. While I loved to sing and dance in the comfort of my own room, ten years ago, the thought of getting up on stage would have bought me to tears.

Through theatre, I learned how to talk to people (something I could not do for the life of me 10 years ago), work collaboratively, and be a decent person, among many other lessons. I found friends and many other people that I care for deeply, places that I can call home, and a chosen family that I'll have for the rest of my life. I accomplished more than I ever thought possible.

Theatre is also something that will form my next decade, as I am almost halfway through my undergraduate studies to become a theatre teacher. I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for all the people I've crossed paths with along the way and the people that have inspired me the most.

I hope that the 20s are better for me. I hope that they bring more opportunities and more artistic fulfillment than I can even imagine. I hope they bring me joy, success, and love. I hope they bring me a family to call my own.

But most importantly, I hope they bring self-care and self-love. I hope that I will learn how to take better care of myself and my mental health. I hope that I will learn how to prioritize my own needs. I hope that I will fully learn that it is okay to ask for help when I need it. And lastly, I hope to begin to discover who I am and what it means to be me and to love myself for it.