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So many of these lines seemed like they were speaking directly to me. A few that especially made this piece so close to home:

“To me, getting older is thrilling because I believe that if I fully own my age, I’ll finally have permission to stumble through life the way others do.” — I can relate so much to romanticizing chaos to be truly “living”, which is funny because people only want it when their brains are wired to reject it

“I have a grip on who I am, but it’s loose because I understand my own capacity for change.” — so real. Funny that society really rewards those who from the youngest age have the highest resolution self image. People aren’t encouraged to change much after college, like you mentioned: “now, on the edge of twenty-one, I’m realizing I don’t need to finish it all at once. There’s room to save some for later. I want leftovers.” This line is crazy powerful.

Anyways happy early birthday 🫶 thanks for sharing this beautiful piece

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isabelle, i'm so glad our community brought us together. you are such a lovely, intentional person and i am really so glad to know you. i'm glad my work could resonate with you and thank you so much for the birthday wishes <33333

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another and it's just me friday post oh wow we all cheered. love this. perfectly captures how i feel. happy early birthday, fellow autumn baby <3

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sophie, you're such a fucking diamond. i adore you so much. thank you <333

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Happy early birthday!!! ily 🫶

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i love you more actually!! thank you, you star!! <3

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Nov 1Liked by allyson.

this was very cute to read! i'm really glad to see you rise above the norms and are surrounded by loved ones as you grow and continue to navigate through this vast life. happy early birthday!!! thank you for this amazing piece!

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thank you so much, emily!!! you're such a treasure!

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such an incredibly lovely and heartfelt piece<3 happy early birthday!

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thank you so much, angel!!!! <3

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this was gorgeously written. have a wonderful birthday when it comes <3

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thank you so much, my star. ily!

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I don't know how to respond to this other than to say that you're amazing. I hope it's a fantastic bday next week 💗💗

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rachel, one of the highlights of my year has been meeting you. i adore you so much.

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