Before I was 26
Before I was 26, I was many other versions of me
I was 3, small and fearless, learning how my body could flip and fly in a gymnastics.
I was 6, surrounded by dolls and crayons, creating worlds and stories with my hands.
I was 8, curled up with my Nintendo DS, completely absorbed in tiny pixel adventures.
I was 12, discovering makeup and clothes, experimenting with who I could be.
I was 15, moving to music, dancing, traveling.
I was 18, graduating high school and packing my life into boxes, brave enough to start over in a new state for college with my brand new kitty.
I was 19, when I lost my best friend.
I was 20, when I did hard things and walked away from people who no longer promoted my growth, but found myself and found & fell in love, a love I had prayed for.
I was 21, ordering my first margarita, tasting independence in a salt-rimmed glass.
I was 22, when I graduated college, feeling silly for paying that much money - for a piece of paper.
I was 25, standing on stage for my first bodybuilding show, proud of the discipline and strength I had built along the way.
I am all of her, and none of her.
Every version still lives inside me, shaping & molding the woman I’m becoming🤍
26, I’m not finished, forever evolving, changing, and honoring every chapter that has made me who I am today, all glory to God for another year of loving🩷
Reflecting on the journey before turning 26 reveals how every experience shapes who we become. From the fearless energy of childhood gymnastics to the creative explorations with dolls and crayons, each stage builds layers of self-awareness. I remember the joy of immersing myself in pixel adventures on a handheld Nintendo DS, a moment of pure escapism that taught me focus and imagination. Teen years were about experimentation—discovering new passions like makeup and fashion was less about appearance and more about expressing identity. Dancing and traveling at 15 opened my eyes to different cultures and rhythms, teaching me flexibility and joy in movement. Moving to a new state for college at 18 was daunting but vital; it was my first real taste of independence and resilience. Turning legal at 21, I celebrated with that symbolic first margarita—a small but powerful taste of adulthood and freedom. By 25, competing in bodybuilding showed me what discipline and dedication could achieve, both physically and mentally. Each version of myself is preserved within: fearless child, creative dreamer, independent young adult, and strong competitor. What I’ve learned is that growth is not linear. We continuously evolve while carrying our past selves within us. This personal journey reminds me to honor every chapter — the triumphs and struggles — because they form the complex, unique person I am today. If you are reflecting on your own path, embrace where you’ve been and the endless becoming ahead. Life at 26 is not a finish line, but a continuous unfolding and thriving.