I’m 20, but life made me grow up quick. There was no slow transition, no step-by-step guide. Life just threw everything at me at once and said “deal with it.”

Some days I feel young. Other days I feel old. I’ve seen and felt things that aged me before my time. I learned how to pick myself up without waiting for someone to save me.

It gets heavy. I get tired. I cry. I get back up. Every time.

People don’t talk about how confusing this part is. You miss who you used to be, while trying to become someone better. You want rest, but you keep moving because stopping isn’t an option.

I’m still figuring myself out, but I know one thing for sure: I’ve survived everything I thought would break me.

So yeah. I’m only 20.

But I’m strong.

I’m changing.

I’m still here.

And I’m proud of me for that.