Nemmys

24: Continuing My Journey

Added 2025-03-23 23:40:01 +0000 UTC

Well, tomorrow, on Tuesday, I turn 24. Youth is rushing by so fast that I don’t even have time to grasp it—life’s problems don’t let me hold onto the moment. Every year, I look forward to this day with warmth and excitement. I’ve always loved holidays, loved the feeling of something special, loved that moment when your day is about to come… even if there’s nothing particularly special about it, haha.

But somehow, throughout my life, I’ve never had helium balloons or a colorful cake with drawings. As a child, my parents would set the table, invite guests, and the adults would have fun—drinking, singing, fighting. They gave me presents, but the celebration passed me by. I would sit alone, playing by myself, and the holiday never really felt like mine. And this went on until I was 17 🙈. Then, I once tried going on a picnic with friends, where everyone ended up arguing 😂, and after that, I only ever celebrated in the company of just one person. Another example of how social media tends to exaggerate the importance of people, while in real life, things are completely different.

I can’t say I feel very sad about it. It’s just… strange. Like I’ve always been waiting for something that never happened.

Tonight, I’ll be on a bus heading back to Kyiv, where my aunt, the spring air, and a small gathering await me. Maybe it’s not the best idea to travel to a war-torn country for my birthday 😂, but I just want to be where I’m invited, where someone wants to be with me on this day.

Now, I realize that true happiness isn’t found in grand celebrations but in small moments, in everyday little things. In the way the light falls on the walls, in a gentle breeze, in a random smile, in breathtaking sunsets. In the realization that I’ve managed to break free from the darkness and pull back the curtain just enough to see what this world truly looks like. And that alone makes life worth living.

If you’d be interested, I could write a little reflection on my birthday. And if a miracle happens—I’ll definitely share it 💙❤️

Photo by David Dubnitsky 2022🎂