The Bittersweet Timing of Change

There’s something about birthdays that always makes me pause and reflect. Maybe it’s because another year has been added, or maybe it’s because life has a way of reminding me that time doesn’t stand still. This year, though, the reflection feels heavier than usual. I know why things have to change. I’ve played the reasons over and over in my head, and logically, it all makes sense. But knowing doesn’t take away the sting. The sadness and anxiety often grow louder than the rational explanations, and some days it feels like my heart is carrying more weight than my mind can balance. It’s funny how life works in circles. Last year, just two days after my birthday, a new chapter opened for me—one that shaped my days, my routines, and even parts of who I became. Now, a year later, that chapter is ending right after my birthday once again. The symmetry almost feels like the universe is trying to tell me something, even if I can’t fully see the message yet. There’s a bittersweetness to it all....