What 31 Feels Like

knowing the proper steps to a skincare routine and sticking to it. laughing at the memory of someone who once shattered you. less than eight hours of sleep becoming an episode of Survivor. scrolling TikTok and saying, I wore that in 6th grade. the release of emotional baggage. friends to confide in without providing context. self-care podcasts. the freedom of saying no. having a favorite candle brand. email anxiety. the cloud mattress you bought after one night in a luxury hotel. 2000’s throwback playlists = religion. knowing the blue colored drink will make you sick. unrealized dreams. randomly categorizing friends into potential bridesmaid order. getting mistaken for a college student at a bar. periodically Googling “_age fertility." moving on from the tortured artist, and in with the man who watches Love Actually with you even though it’s June. 3 day hangovers. quitting your career to start something new. having earned a portion of wisdom, with the soft pink scars to prove it. no longer trying to be someone you’re not. still searching for the big answers. saving your love for the few who deserve it.