Coming up in December marks one full year of being in my own place 🏡🙏 It still feels unreal sometimes. This past year taught me so much about independence, peace, and what it really means to build a life that feels like mine. There were nights I sat in silence just taking it all in, realizing that after everything I’ve been through, I finally have a space that’s safe, calm, and full of love. It hasn’t been perfect. There were struggles, lessons, and moments I wasn’t sure I’d make it through but I did. Every challenge shaped me into someone stronger and softer at the same time. This home has seen my growth, my healing, my laughter, and even my tears. And through it all, I’ve had Cleo and Paddington right by my side 🐶🐾 my little shadows, my comfort, my constant reminders that love doesn’t have to hurt or be loud to be real. They’ve made this house a home in every way. So as December approaches, I’m just feeling grateful for peace, for progress, for the woman I’m becoming, and for the two fur babies that never left my side. Here’s to one year of standing on my own, and to everything still ahead. 💛✨

I’m 20, but life made me grow up quick. There was no slow transition, no step-by-step guide. Life just threw everything at me at once and said “deal with it.” Some days I feel young. Other days I feel old. I’ve seen and felt things that aged me before my time. I learned how to pick myself up without waiting for someone to save me. It gets heavy. I get tired. I cry. I get back up. Every time. People don’t talk about how confusing this part is. You miss who you used to be, while trying to become someone better. You want rest, but you keep moving because stopping isn’t an option. I’m still figuring myself out, but I know one thing for sure: I’ve survived everything I thought would break me. So yeah. I’m only 20. But I’m strong. I’m changing. I’m still here. And I’m proud of me for that.