Goodbye 25, Hello 26. 

Featured photo credits go to: Jill Wellington

*Disclaimer: This is technically another letter to me… expressing my accomplishments and just basically sharing a bit of my thought process. I appreciate all of you that have supported me in all ways possible; even if you’re new here. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. 

Birthdays have always meant a lot to me. Not just my own but those of my loved ones too. I try my best to make those I care about feel loved every day but life sometimes gets in the way and it’s just not always possible to make happen. 

But birthdays? Solar returns?! Those are the special days that someone should truly feel on top of the world. 

It’s the day you came into this world… the very first day you impacted the world in ways you didn’t know happened. No matter how old (or young) you are, you have created endless amounts of smiles, waves of laughter, and a lifetime of memories. The good and the bad moments are things to be cherished at all times because one thing we do not get back? Is time. 

Today is my 26th birthday… it’s so bittersweet.

Society makes it a big thing when you turn 18 then 21 and then 25 but once you hit 25 the next big one is 30 then 40 then 50 and so forth and so on. But for me? Yeah, I’m weird and ever since I was 16 years old, I told myself that my next big year would be 26. Of course, I enjoyed all the ages that came after 16 and celebrated with those I loved in those moments of time however this year? It’s personal for me. Nobody but myself can understand what this age means to me and there really are no words to best express them to all of you. 

I have learned incredibly a lot about myself in these last 2 years and I never understood why people would say the age 21-23 is a whole lot different than the ages 24-28.. but in a sense, I’m starting to grasp it. The best perspective about birthdays I got from a TikTok is that even though I’m turning 26 today, I’m carrying on the ages before this one. 

I am still 25, 21, 18,16,etc… I just have taken those moments and lessons into a box within my heart for safekeeping. The version of me every day is the one who’s working truly hard to be better than yesterday. There is no competition or comparison to anyone else other than me from yesterday. I am super grateful and blessed. Chapter 25 was a difficult one for more than half of the story but I made it through holding onto the best days and grateful for the people that I have in my corner.

The people I have lost, the people I have gained, the people that are within a distance; you all matter in some shape or form to who I am today. BUT don’t get carried away because I am the main character and the main reason for the decisions I have or haven’t made. The things I have or haven’t said and the experiences I have or have not lived through… up until this point. 

Earlier this year I wrote a note about what I’ve accomplished at 5 months of being 25 and I’m thankful I did because I get to be reminded of that today. 

I did it. 

I went back to school and completed my associate’s degree when I thought I couldn’t. 

I started my virtual assistant business on impulse and passion AND landed my first client— someone I have adored & supported for over a year— within my first two months of launching. 

I started 3+ online courses to receive knowledge in my passion for e-commerce, marketing, and skills that could help my new business as a virtual assistant. 

I paid off a big chunk of debt that weighed me down for years. 

Started writing ebooks & sold a few copies online. 

I networked with countless individuals who have opened up doors for me, taught me more skills, and helped me understand my next move in this industry. 

Relaunched my blog and taking it a whole lot more seriously than before. 

I may have left some things out because, in a world where we do so much, we tend to forget to give credit where credit is due… especially to ourselves. However this is still a long list… an amazing list and I am not done with my work, and my plans, I am not done at all. 

I am blessed to see another year. 

I am blessed to have the opportunity to make a plan and work on it every day that I open my eyes. 

Today I wrap all the things I have done up until this point, the memories along with it, and lock them away to make room for the new love, new friendships, new memories, and milestones. 

Today I start a new chapter of my story and I just know it’s going to be a very personal and magical year. 

Happy 26th birthday Bri.