Redefining What Forward Means

Birthdays have the tendency to make me slow down, push pause, and take note. It’s a great time to notice where I’ve stretched myself over the last year, what I’ve released, and the ways my life has reshaped itself in both subtle and undeniable ways.

My growth doesn’t always follow a straight line. Sometimes it slows, circles back, or takes an unexpected turn. Living with a body that has its own pace has taught me to see progress in new ways—in giving myself space, in holding steady when things seem unclear, in trusting that my movements don’t have to be rushed.

This year, I’ve watched my creative work grow alongside me. Community has shown up, and I’ve learned that the right people will find what they need at the right time. It’s something so special to see when it happens.

So when I look at where I am now, I define “forward” less by milestones and more by moments—moments of patience, of trust, of choosing stability over temporary ease.

Forward isn’t always linear, but it’s always there, unfolding in its own time.