This is 25 – A Glance Back @ 24

This is 25, today, on my 25th birthday, I’m sharing an honest glance back at what my 24th year had in store for me & what I envision for this year ahead!

Oh man, what a year! I seriously cannot even begin to believe that I’m turning 25 today AH! Last year, I didn’t post a reflection on my actual birthday, but instead a smoothie bowl, but I guess that’s what I was feelin! 25 definitely has me feeling very sentimental, reflective, grateful, mindful, & excited, so I want to start making it a tradition to recap my year here on the blog! I feel like 24 came & went, & now I’m about to embark on this whole different journey into the later half of my twenties – I know I’m only 25, but still!

At the beginning of every month, I always write a little note to myself, it can be a mantra, an intention, a quote that I’ve heard, a little bit of inspiration, or just a few of my own words to myself, to help guide me through the month.

For October, my beloved birthday month, I wrote.

You have what it takes.

Strength.

Patience.

Steadiness.

Peace.

Resilience.

Mindfullness.

25 years of building & growing.

For me, that about sums it up. I’ve put so much work into myself, for many years, & I feel like my 25th year will be the year that I enjoy the fruits of my labor.

So with that said, let’s recap year 24.

One of the most exciting things year 24 has brought, has been some improvement in terms of my health & my digestion. I’ve struggled for years with daily discomfort & pain, & this year has brought me many days of not being in pain from eating, which has been huge for me. Not everyday is seamless & pain free, but there has been major progress & I’m beyond grateful for it.

Along with being truly committed to my healing journey, I’ve continued to work on myself, welcome new growth, new ideas, & new ways of living, some that even called for periods of discomfort, unknown, & persistence.

Devin & I lived in Canada for 6 months while he played his third year of professional basketball. He continued on to play in Australia for 2 months & Columbia for a few weeks. Those two months were the longest we’ve been apart & man, did I miss him, but it just reminded me that what we have is so strong & love is 100% about making sacrifices. At the end of this month, we will be celebrating 4 years of being together, which is really exciting!

I spent time in Florida visiting my family for a few weeks here & there. It never seems like long enough & I wish daily, that I lived closer to them all. Also shoutout, to my beautiful mom, who also shares this Libra birthday with me! (LOVE YOU 🙂 )

I’ve watched my three brothers progress, the second one surpass me in growth, & even got a black eye from playing 1v1 with the one who is now taller than I. Obviously, I’m still a slave to my competitive side…almost 3 years retired from basketball but I’ll lace them up once I’m around my family haha!

This past year, I worked with an incredible healer who has helped me tremendously. I was so hesitant to reach out to a new holistic doctor/healer after being treated by the same person for most of my life. But wow, it was so needed, so much growth was encouraged, I was awakened to so many new ideas, mentalities, & my own power regarding my healing journey.

AND, I was awakened to my love of healing crystals!

I’ve worked religiously on this blog day in & out. I taught myself new things, improved, created, & pushed myself outside of my comfort zone. My blog has grown tremendously from where I was this time last year. I can’t wait to see what this next year has in store for Everyday with Madi Rae. I’m BEYOND excited.

Maintaining everything blog related is tricky enough, but doing it all, while doing life & working 40+ hours a week at my full time job is A LOT. I was definitely feeling it at the beginning of this month. There’s always this storm of emotions that passes through me every October. Knowing that I’m embarking on a new age always just puts me in my feels. This year, I just let myself feel it. I can do a pretty good job of holding everything in, but I’m trying to get better at vocalizing my emotions which Devin is definitely compassionate enough to help me with. With that said though, my communication has gotten SO much better throughout my 24th year.

But there are definitely days where I wish I could write it all out instead haha!

Within the past year, I’ve completely transformed my diet. I was gluten free & dairy free already, but after meeting a man named Ron in Canada, who I mentioned in my intuitive plant based diet post, I made the decision to go fully plant based, as well as, still being gluten free, because I do have Celiac. Wow, wow, & wow, Ron warned me that after going vegan, I’d experience more light & love welcomed into my life, & he was spot on. I feel so empowered with my food choices. My overall relationship with food & eating has improved by leaps & bounds this past year which is so relieving. I’m looking forward to sharing more about this journey soon!

24 welcomed back an old enemy of mine. Acne. Hormonal acne to be more specific. In between my freshmen & sophomore year of college, I had a horrific outbreak of acne engulf my entire face. Thankfully it cleared beautifully within 4 or so months & ever since, I’ve feared it’s return for the life of me. Well it came back, & I truly couldn’t be prouder of the way I’ve handled it this time around. I’m learning to control what I can control & I understand that acne absolutely does not define me or anyone. It all came up this February, & I’m still dealing with it. I’ve been very patient & kind to myself, which has been something I’ve become most proud of.

It’s so funny, because I look back to the person I was just a few years ago & I barely can recognize her. To me, that’s a good thing. I never want to be stagnant in regards to anything. I’d much rather be thrown into uncertainty & have to hustle to make everything happen, than to just BE. Like I said, I’m competitive, but with myself. I don’t think there will be a day where I’m not. I always know I’m capable of more & that’s how I like living my life, I want to be better, I want to do more, I want to achieve everything I know I’m capable of, throughout my 25th year & beyond.

24 has been amazing. And even though I’m still in shock that I’m turning 25 today, I’m SO ready for this new year to bring upon new challenges, new beginnings, new ideas, new growth, & so much more love. Ah I can’t wait!

Also, hopefully by the time I turn 26, I’ll have chosen a wedding date 🙂

So many good things to come, for me, & for all of you. Thank you for being on this journey with me!

Where’re my fellow Libra’s? Drop your sign below!