At 36, I’ve learned that healing is not a straight line but a spiral—filled with grief, joy, and rest along the way. What once felt like urgency and survival now feels like softness, pacing, and presence. This reflection is both a letter to my younger self and a reminder that healing is about becoming whole, not racing to be “done.”

Turning 36 invites reflection on what I’m carrying forward and what I’m leaving behind. From rest as resistance to honoring chronic illness and celebrating Black joy, these lessons ground my healing and growth. This is both a release and a recommitment to living with alignment, softness, and purpose.