30 Oct, 2025
San | 30 Oct. 2025
Life between 20 and 25 felt like a storm I couldn’t escape.
It was that turbulent phase where ambition collided with reality. I wanted to achieve so much—climbing the ladder from middle class to upper middle class, not just for myself but for my family. But staying grounded while dreaming big was a constant tug-of-war.Coming from a culture where family is everything, expectations weighed heavily.
As a woman, the message was clear: "Your job is to marry and settle down." But as I became independent and crossed that “acceptable” age for marriage, the expectations only grew heavier.Then came the era of the internet, where everyone had an opinion and wasn’t afraid to share it. The constant scrolling, the unsolicited advice, and the comparison—it was all overwhelming. I felt lost in the noise.What saved me was going back to my roots.
I began shutting out the world, journaling my thoughts, chasing sunsets, and traveling to find solace in places where time seemed to slow down. Music became my therapy—a playlist of calm that helped me reflect and reset.
Those quiet moments taught me that mental health in the phase of growth is everything.If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Growth doesn’t have to be a race. Give yourself grace. Pause, breathe, and let the sunsets remind you that beauty exists in every phase of life—even the messy ones.
A song that kept me afloat : “Brave” by Sara Bareilles.
(Its lyrics reminded me to speak my truth, even when fear tried to silence me. )
A movie that inspired me : “Eat, Pray, Love”
(it showed me the power of rediscovering yourself and finding joy in the simplest moments.)
A phrase that stayed with me : “Growth is uncomfortable, but nothing beautiful ever blooms without rain.”
(It reminded me that my struggles were shaping something extraordinary within me.)
If there’s one thing I’d like to tell anyone navigating this chaotic phase, it’s this:
“Life is not a checklist. Allow yourself to pause, breathe, and embrace the present. Chase sunsets, listen to music, or write your heart out—whatever makes you feel alive. Growth doesn’t have to be perfect; it just needs to be yours.”
