By Karen

Writing WordPress articles has crossed into my third year. When I first started the website, I was just a disillusioned young woman with nowhere to vent, hoping to express my personal emotions through words. I remember—I was 26 years old then.

↑This is what I was like when I started writing.

At 26, I still remember that sense of helplessness and resentment toward the world, always feeling that the world treated me unfairly.

Unexpectedly, these words sparked a qualitative shift in my life.

Regarding changes in my career, the unfolding of my life, and the milestones that came with age, I had long encouraged people to boldly pursue their dreams and follow their hearts. Many young students and lost souls found what seemed like driftwood, a spiritual refuge, and suddenly had the courage to achieve whatever they desired.

Years passed. At 29, I stumbled in my career, but fortunately for me, from that failure and dissatisfaction with myself, I gained greater clarity about who I am and how to reorganize my life after facing reality.

At 30, facing the key person I thought had brought me setbacks, I resolved nearly two years of reluctance within myself. It was a gentle, open-hearted conversation—perhaps only in that moment was I willing to face my own heart.

Now, I know I no longer need challenges from others to prove my shortcomings, nor do I need their setbacks to experience the feeling of growth.

Because I already know my own insufficiencies.

"Only with time to think do you develop the ability to think."

Recently, as my alone time has increased, I've begun new reflections on life.

Next month I'll turn 31. What's different now compared to before?

The difference is that I now have my own family and career, partners and a team. I'm learning to let go of extra responsibilities I no longer have the heart to bear. I'm learning things I never needed to understand before—financial statements, strategic planning, data analysis.

Will these things propel my life forward, so I'm no longer gasping for breath under the weight of reality? I don't know.

But only now do I understand that as a child, I thought adults were so free. But growing up, and being an adult in my child's eyes, I still don't want to be one, and I'm certainly not as free as I once imagined.

Probably the only comfort is that I at least still have the ability to solve problems, though everything takes time.

↑This is me recently