Next to Normal

So much of my life has been trying to sync my normal with everone else's normal. Growing up, I was told that my normal wasn't really normal at all. My family was unusually happy and my childhood was incredibly unmarred. Honestly, I was scared of EVERYTHING when I was little because I didn't really know from bad or pain. You're rolling your eyes but I'm sorry, it's true. If I can't say it here, where can I say it?

Twenty-five has been a lot of growing, learning, and realizations. Lately, I've reconnected with a number of old friends. In a word, it's been amazing. In two words, it's been eye-opening. I am still close to my three best friends from childhood and my three dearest friends from college. It's taken effort and time, but has been beyond worth it. It's made me see how much people DO change, and it's almost as though in reaquainting with them, I've seen this reflection of myself and how much I'VE changed. For the better.

It is also very interesting (and a first) to be the single girl among most of my friends. For so long I was a serial monogamist, and now I'm swinging solo. It's bizarre. So many of my friends are in healthy, wonderful relationships, and seeing them so happy makes ME happy. It also helps me feel like maybe, just maybe, I'll get lucky and it'll happen for me too. And if or when it does, I will be ready. I'm confident that I'm becoming the best version of myself.