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Living In Community With Others
Life is more joyous when you have others to share it with
A couple of months ago, I celebrated my birthday. I took the day off, spent time with friends, and reflected on my personal life.
I pondered about a contradiction: equally important to fostering a sense of independence and resilience is learning how to ask for help and depend on others.
In this web of interdependence, you must give and take.
In our 20s, we often like to believe otherwise. With a newfound sense of independence, whether living alone for the first time or moving to a new city, you want to do it your way. Some may even struggle to ask for help, thinking it’s a sign of weakness.
This year, I stopped feeling the dread that often comes with turning older and the uncertainty of what’s next. Instead of anticipating my next steps and having it all figured out, I feel grateful for the people in my life, and my community of supporters.
It hasn’t always been this way
Growing up as a high achiever, I was ambitious and always prioritized my goals first. I didn’t worry too much about making friends or pursuing relationships because my parents always encouraged me to “go far and the rest will fall into place.”