It’s my birthday today and I’m feeling nostalgic. Isn’t it a little too early for me to be 22 though??

I started the day feeling very uninterested and somewhat sad, but my younger sisters baked me cake and it’s really hard to argue with cake. That was a solid case, I won’t lie. So I gave in.

I still feel unaccomplished and just weird but I realized that, maybe I feel this way because I did not have a well mapped out goal for life up to now. It’s just a hazy sketch I have in my head which doesn’t cut it for me anymore. So I guess you already understand why you’re here now reading this. I want to know I’m not heading for a finish line that keeps shifting so I need you to bear witness. If you see anybody trying to play smart by shifting the goal post, kindly raise alarm – even if that person is me. Stand against injustice!

Here’s 15 things I would love to have achieved by 25. Let’s just say a bucket list, but for 25:

1. Write a bestselling book, or two.
2. Move to a new country.
3. Teach 1000 people intentionally to live simple, productive lives.
4. Visit at least 15 countries.
5. Learn to play the violin
6. Finally learn to stop laughing at serious matters.
7. Get another degree (another Masters or Ph.D)
8. Address a >3000 crowd
9. Have a skincare routine.
10. Learn to bake.
11. Own a house.
12. Have seven 6-figure (at least) streams of income.
13. Get 500 children off the streets and into school.
14. Set up a foundation for sickle cell and education.
15. Sing in front of a crowd.

Some mundane, some life-changing. These are 15 things that form my checklist for 25. Hopefully, my 25^th birthday wouldn’t have me all gloomy and sad like this one did.

I received a lot of messages and calls today, and my heart is full. If you sent in one, I appreciate you so much!
Cheers to 22!

Yours waiting for grey hair,
Alma