Though Opal and Orchids’ birthday is on May 29th, I want to dedicate a few minutes to acknowledge this blog’s second birthday before the month ends!
When I first began this blog, I was living in an officetel in Korea with my husband. While the space was tiny, it was filled with dreams, ambitions, and a version of me where I was starting to feel genuine happiness and living healthy. This time last year, I could barely make myself to walk out of the room to get a snack because I was once again in the cold, familiar embrace of something that I can’t bring myself to talk about yet, but it’s something that only happens when around my family. Looking back at both years, my heart goes out to 2022 me and yearns to tell her that it’s unfortunately a year she needs to endure in order to grow and appreciate 2023.
Something today made me realize that I can clearly remember all the times, while growing up, I wanted to be myself and speak my honest thoughts, but instead censored it all in order to try to fit in with others. I was afraid to be deep, be emotional, be poetic and voice my introspection because I wanted to be able to have something in common with other around me. I was so afraid of others’ opinions, that I forgot my opinion mattered the most. As I grow older, this could not be more true and is something I am really trying to practice more now. I still battle with it, but I need to hold myself to it and with it let go of what holds me back (in every sense).
To my current 2023 self: You’re safe now, you’re okay. Lose the fear and learn to fly again. Embrace Opal.
To my 2021 self, the one who started this: This is one of the best things you’re going to start, and it will be rocky, but so worth the passion it brings.
To you, reading this: thank you for being here with me and reading my words. Let’s keep going on this path of self-love and healing. Let us shake off the fears of society and allow ourselves to grow.
Happy 2nd birthday, Opal and Orchids- you are, thus far, my proudest creation.