I'm writing this coming back from an event at my old high school. Being back there felt strange. Teachers who once felt like authority figures treated me like a peer. Some observations on turning 21:
- Most adults ~= big kids. People change very slowly (esp. on the inside). Even if they might look different on the outside.
- For most of my life, my age was my identity. Starting my company with Fireship, building Million.js at 16, dropping out, I always associated my identity with "the young person who did [X]."
- 21 is supposed to be college, drinking (legally!), finding a stable jobs. I'm doing none of those in the traditional sense. Maybe that's okay. I used to feel like I was missing the "normal" version of my life. I'm coming to terms that it's okay
- I get to code all day, and I fucking love it. Teenage me could never have imagined that!
- I write a lot more now. My notebook is almost always strapped to my hand. I read more. When I do, I read voraciously, and it changes how my brain thinks.
- I'm more grateful for those who choose to love me. I understand (now) how rare that is.
- I'm more okay with conflict now. I'm learning to set boundaries with people who don't respect me. I embrace tougher convos.
- I still suck at giving gifts. And texting. And I probably need to sleep more (trying to go from 5 -> 8). Those are on my list for 21.
It's surreal to see how different I was a year ago. I hope that keeps changing.
PDX → SFO. Here's to another year!