The Child That Carried Me.

To realize that my 6-year-old self carried me all the way through my teenage years is truly mind-blowing. Then, to think that my teenage self carried me through my early and mid-20s with the help of 6 year old me —it's honestly crazy. I owe so much to both of them for everything.

For the past five years, I've been quietly saying goodbye to different parts of my six-year-old self—the little girl who, grew up too fast, carried me through so many moments of my life. She was the part of me that responded instinctively, out of pure survival, when life became overwhelming. She was in her fight-or-flight mode, doing her best to protect me from harm, even if it meant retreating into silence or fear. Because that was all she knew at the time, she held her ground, often frozen in place, unable to fully and freely evolve or express what she truly needed.

During this reflection, I recognized that other parts of me—those vibrant, daring, and curious teenage selves— were in a kind of limbo, frozen, unable to step forward. Fear kept them in the freeze stage, waiting patiently for the right moment to emerge and be acknowledged. But they did come through eventually. Something I've recognized last year. 

Mid-2024 marks a significant turning point in my healing process. I've begun the slow, tender transition of sending my teenage self her portion of farewell—thanking her for her resilience, her passion, and her youthful dreams. I realize now that she was a vital part of my journey, and her farewell is a recognition of the wisdom she's imparted. It’s a symbolic act of gratitude, allowing her to rest peacefully as I step into the next chapter of my evolution.

It was as if I needed to honor each phase of my growth, to gently release what no longer served me and invite new parts to take their place.

This year, which also marks a ten-year cycle, feels like a completion—a cosmic doorway closing on one chapter and opening to another. Having honored each phase of my inner landscape, not only am I bidding my 6 year old self a final farewell but I am also sending a farewell to the teenage me that took over until this present version of me was ready to take over. In doing so, I am reclaiming my present, embracing my current self with compassion and love, and stepping into a space of authenticity and alignment.

This transition is not just about closure; it’s about celebration. It’s about recognizing the resilience, growth, and transformation that have brought me here. And with an open heart, I welcome the new self—one rooted in awareness, acceptance, and a deep sense of peace—ready to embrace what lies ahead with courage and grace.

Now that I’ve caught up emotionally and mentally, everything that’s to come is dedicated to the sacrifices they made to get me here. We chased our dreams and experienced the things we wanted. From now on, no more chasing sunsets. No more chasing dreams. We’re finally living the life we want and building something better.

And as we move forward, we are in our season of receiving. May everything we’ve put out continue to come back to us — in memories of them, in celebration of them, and most importantly, in celebration of life as we continue to live for us.