(Was meant to be posted at the end of April.)
Hello everyone! I hope all of you are doing as well as you can be! A few days ago I celebrated my twenty-second birthday. I could sit here and say how amazing it was and talk about all the gifts I got, but while that may be partly realistic, that would not be the full story. I was fortunate enough to celebrate with a pre-birthday dinner on the twenty-sixth, the night before my actual birthday. On the twenty-seventh, my actual birthday I was having a tough day. There's no way around that. As my mom said, everything was just kind of sideways that day. Whether I was just having "birthday blues" as she also referred to it or not. Either way, the day just felt a bit crummy and off. I did my morning walk, and my mostly typical routine upon waking up. I also had to take my final for my class which I was sad about because I didn't want my class to end yet. I was grateful to hear from some family and friends throughout the day. I really did appreciate all the love that was being shown and given to me. I just couldn't shake the funkiness on my birthday, unfortunately. I think there were a lot of factors contributing to the funk. Nonetheless, I still carried on. I am proud of myself for pushing through the day and just allowing myself to feel all of the things that day. You have to feel and acknowledge these things in order to grow and allow them to pass by easier. That is something I am working on. Spending a birthday in a pandemic is really weird. So, SO many people this year have had to spend their birthday during this pandemic. While it is easy in some ways, it is not easy in other ways. It can take a toll. Or, maybe that is just the entire pandemic and situation itself. My heart goes out to anyone else who may have and who may have to spend their birthday during this time. It is hard spending your birthday without the opportunity to see other ones you love. I was fortunate to spend mine with my mom, stepdad, stepsister, and two of my grandparents. I am so grateful for that, but I was also sad that I wasn't able to see so many other family members who are back home. Even if this wasn't happening, I would not be able to see them on my birthday, but I would have already had seen them before if my plans to visit for spring break hadn't had to be changed. One thing I am really hoping to see come from this ordeal is people appreciating so many things more than before all of this. I can't wait to see my family back home again. Hopefully really soon! Despite having a tough day on my birthday, I am really looking forward to this new chapter ahead. There is definitely a new growth phase happening, and I cannot wait to see where it takes me and what I get to learn in this new chapter. I am also very grateful for and hope so many of you continue to come with me on my journey. I really appreciate all of you who have shown support to my blog and shown me support in general. Your love and kindness do not go unnoticed and I truly value it so so so much! At some point, if I feel up to it and think of it again, I may do a birthday gift haul. This is already getting a little lengthy, but know that I have not forgotten about any of you. I hope and wish all of you are doing well. The light at the end of the tunnel grows nearer and nearer each and every day. Keep pushing through, and I will plan on seeing you guys really soon! With love, The Inspiring Hummingbird!