Year 25 in Review
Top 25 in Year 25! Let's run it!
Inspired by my friend Jared and with the help of past Thalia's commitment to documentation, I present 25 things that made my 25th year of life.
- Got a grip. From age 22 to 25, I had been doing a lot of talking about my goal to move out, but not a lot of working toward that goal. That changed on a sunny April afternoon on the shores of Lake Union in Seattle. I heard in my spirit the words "get a grip" and immediately resolved to pull myself together. I had never experienced anything like that in my life.
- Let it go. Three weeks of prolonged stress in late August landed me in a Charleston urgent care and eventually a Decatur cardiologist office. Once I realized the physical and financial cost of stress, I resolved to let go of things I don't need to hold onto.
- Learned to swim. From Johnson Park Rec Center in April to Monroe Harbor in August. S/o Miss Janet for her instruction and for not allowing me to settle for anything less than excellence.
- Went to Japan. Had Brynn and Alondra join me for my first quinquennial visit to Osaka and bought my favorite pants of all time.
- Moved out. Made the sacrifice worth it by doing what I said I wanted to do. I wake up everyday in an answered prayer. I do not over-exaggerate when I say I'm living the dream.
- Took a personal style class. Learned about color, texture, and fabrics. Realized that what I sought, I had within me all along.
- Became an athlete. Against all odds, I assure you. Finishing a triathlon as my introduction to sports was a wild choice, but it was mine to make and I had a great time.
- Made besties. S/o The Quad™️, Khalil, Yaw, and Bella. My stinkabutts fr <3
- Picked up my violin again. Private lessons this summer and a seat in a community orchestra this fall, you heard it here first.
- Read Stronger by Poorna Bell and The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker. Those two books changed so much for me. Talk about impact.
- Learned to give myself grace. I don't have to suffer or punish myself when I make mistakes. I have the resources, space, and ability to pivot in the moment. I can use new information to make better decisions in real-time, not just next time.
- Canceled my trip to London and Lisbon. A huge indicator of maturity and growth. I didn't think I had that discipline in me. I truly shocked myself.
- Read some really great fiction. The ending of The Temps still has me shook.
- Drastically reduced my social media consumption. Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance!
- Improved how I respond to getting stood up.
- Discovered how delightful Amtrak can be. Now that I know that, prepare to be sick of meee. I'm finna be on that train to go everywhere, chile.
- Published writing outside W2D.
- Overcame my aversion to taking headshots. There was a lot of deep-seated emotions around beauty, desirability, and what it means to be photographed and I overcame all of it during a very delightful photoshoot with my friend in his studio.
- Cut my hair.
- Paid off my credit cards. We talkin’ sacrifice?
- Discovered bouldering. Much love to Bestie Andrew!
- Got strong. Like real strong. After that post-triathlon break in September, I hit the gym starting in October and baby...let's just make some noise for Noble Clay Fitness, okay?? I look and feel and am the strongest I have ever been. The fastest too.
- Put my full trust in the Lord. During my fast in January, I realized that no job, no company, no government, no relationship, no salary, no apartment, no nothing can save me or really can be depended on. All of it comes and goes. All of it is fickle. But my faith is in the Lord. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
- Got deeper into my outdoors bag. S/o Bestie Réal for being down to go on the many random adventures I keep inviting him to.
- Was intentional about how I move in community. I really put a lot of effort behind being a friend, a sister, a daughter, a neighbor and all the things from a place of love, care, and authenticity. I considered what it meant for me to be a Southern Christian Black woman and how my identity and values play out in my day-to-day experience with others. I apologized, I forgave, I communicated, I even fell out with somebody and worked to repair the relationship not because I wanted to, but because I knew it was the right thing for me to do.
Thalia, 26, looks forward to seeingw hat the Lord will do in this next year of her life!
