Issue 3 — Level 30

This will be the last thing I write in my 20s. In less than 3 hours I will have been on this planet for 30 years. For most of history, life expectancy was in the mid 45s; I would be about 3 thirds through with my life. Fortunately, we live in the 21st century and in all likelihood I have a good 50 more years to live. 50 more years of trying one more time.

I’ve spent the past 3 weeks vacillating between excitement and anxiety. Anxiety, because there’s so much I’d hoped to have accomplished by now. There are many ways I've felt let down by myself and the circumstance surrounding a great deal of my life. Excitement, because I’ve grown so much from each struggle I've gone through. My hands are thick with calluses from enduring and returning to the battlefield many times over.

When I was 18, I moved to Cape Town with no family or fully formed prospects, and yet somehow here I am. Every frustration I’ve experienced, every moment of seemingly insurmountable doubt and every friend I’ve made along the way, has lead me to this moment. A time of deep understanding and acceptance of self I could have never imagined to have needed, or had the capacity to achieve.

As the minutes tick past, I am filled with pride and gratitude. I now understand that all that has come before has served to prepare us for what comes ahead. And what comes ahead is a beautiful journey. Thank you for choosing to walk it with me.

I’ll talk to you soon. Be you, be great!