five lifetimes

2023 reminded me 

it’s okay to go back home. 

Six weeks in New York was the space 

I needed to reconnect with myself 

after months of unexpected changes 

and survival mode.

2022 pushed me to mature faster 

in a new city on my own. 

I outgrew and resigned 

from the job I moved 

to Chicago for, in

this same year. 

Life’s wild. 

2021 inspired me to level up 

even though others 

couldn’t climb with me. 

I paid off my student loans, 

declined a wedding invitation, 

and moved into my first home

— in that order. 

2020 taught me to persevere. 

Joining a handful of passengers 

on a plane during quarantine 

was scary as hell, but my 

Grandfather’s cancer 

had spread to his brain. 

2019 was when my life started.

A necessary breakup,

turning 22 on 2/22,

a solo trip to San Francisco,

college graduation, 

and my first “real job,” 

all led me to where 

I’m meant to be now.