Becoming an Adult: Creating the Life I Dream Of

I turned 22 last week. February 26th, 2024, marked a new year of life, and this time, it feels different. This isn’t just another birthday; it’s the beginning of a chapter where everything is changing for me. Graduating college, moving out, stepping fully into adulthood, and taking on responsibilities I’ve only ever shared with my family until now. March is my month of growth, transition, and actively creating the life I dream of.

For so long, I’ve had the comfort of knowing that my medical needs were managed with the support of my parents, my mom always scheduling my appointments, picking up medications, and handling insurance. But now, I’m entering a phase where I have to take the reins. Slowly but surely, I will start paying for my own doctor’s visits, medications, and everything else that comes with managing a chronic illness as an adult. It’s a daunting reality, but one I’ve been preparing for.

Owning My Health: Becoming My Best Advocate
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my journey with chronic illness, it’s that advocating for yourself isn’t optional, it’s necessary. As I step into this next phase of life, I’m working on becoming an even better planner, ensuring that I have what I need to be a healthy, symptom-free girl. This means organizing my medical records, tracking my symptoms, and making intentional choices that will allow me to thrive, not just get by.

Staying Ahead of My Medical Needs
Scheduling appointments, keeping track of lab work, ordering medications on time, and budgeting for healthcare expenses will now be fully in my hands. It’s overwhelming, but I’m ready to embrace it. Having a system in place, using and keeping up with planners, health logs, and a dedicated binder for all my medical records—will ensure that I’m never left scrambling for answers.

Focusing on Long-Term Health
The way I care for my body now will determine my quality of life in the future. I’ve already made major shifts in my diet and lifestyle to keep my body feeling its best, and I plan to keep pushing forward. Eating clean, intermittent fasting, limiting red meat, and avoiding gluten to reduce inflammation are choices I make for myself because I know they make a difference.

Meal planning is a goal of mine that I hope to implement consistently once I move into my new apartment and start my master’s classes this summer. My new routine will include preparing nutritious meals and making things like fresh juices each week to ensure I’m getting all the nutrients I need. Taking care of my body isn’t just about medications, it’s about fueling it well and giving it every possible advantage.

Building a Support System
Even though I’m taking on more responsibility, I know I don’t have to do it all alone. Surrounding myself with people who uplift me and encourage my growth will be essential. This is a scary and uncertain time for all of my friends as we wait to see where our jobs will take us. Personally, it scares me too, we are all about to be spread across the country, just as my high school friends were four years ago. I thought my world was ending when that happened, and I’m not sure I’m ready to go through it again.

But I’ve learned that change brings new opportunities. I need to use connections, put myself out there, and find people around me who share my passions and values. Building a new support system doesn’t mean replacing the old one—it means expanding it.

Graduating and Moving Out: A New Beginning
College has been a whirlwind, and now, it’s all wrapping up. In just a few months, I’ll be walking across that stage, ready to take on the world. The reality of moving out, building my own space, and creating the life I want is both exciting and terrifying.

Finding Independence:
No longer having the structure of school and home means learning how to build my own systems. This is going to mean managing work, health, and personal life all on my own. This means being intentional with my time, understanding that I have control over how I spend my 24 hours each day, and making sure I prioritize what truly matters.

Creating a Life I Love
Moving out isn’t just about having my own space; it’s about setting up routines that bring me joy and structuring my life in a way that makes me feel fulfilled. Some key adjustments I plan to make:
✔️ Meal planning and cooking nutritious food—having a nice kitchen in my new apartment will allow me to create meals that nourish my body and keep me feeling my best.
✔️ Developing a structured running and workout plan—I want a schedule that aligns with my work and studies, making movement a non-negotiable part of my day.
✔️ Prioritizing meaningful relationships—setting aside dedicated time for friends each month so that I always have something to look forward to.
✔️ Romanticizing my own life—creating an environment where even the small things feel intentional and special. Whether it’s fresh flowers on my table, cozy nights in, or setting aside time for creative hobbies, I want to love the life I’m building.

Embracing the Unknown
Change is scary, but it’s also full of possibility. This is my time to take risks, set new goals, and chase the future I’ve always dreamed of.

March Goals: Stepping Into My Power
This month isn’t just about acknowledging change—it’s about embracing it. My goals for March are clear:
✔️ Plan for life after graduation – job searching, budgeting, and making big decisions for my future.
✔️ Continue prioritizing my health – staying on top of appointments, fueling my body well, and managing stress.
✔️ Embrace independence – taking charge of finances, medical responsibilities, and creating a structured routine.
✔️ Be intentional with my time – structuring my days to align with my goals, making time for movement, and ensuring I’m investing in my personal growth.

Manifesting My Dream Life: Becoming the Healthiest Version of Myself
This is the year of becoming,the year I push myself to new levels, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I’ve fought through so much to get to where I am today, and now, I want to take that fight and turn it into something bigger. My dream life is about more than just existing; it’s about thriving, pushing my limits, and showing others that they can do the same.

I want to become the healthiest, strongest version of myself, not just for me, but for those who feel like they’ll never get their life back. Chronic illness takes so much from you—not just your energy and physical strength, but your confidence, your sense of self, and your belief that you are capable. I’ve been there, and now, I want to prove that you can come back from it.

Becoming an Athlete Again: Pushing My Physical Limits
The girl who once struggled to make it through a school day is now setting her sights on goals she never thought possible. I want to run more half marathons, full marathons, triathlons, ultras, anything that proves I am stronger than the body that once tried to hold me back, and to prove to myself, I am NOT this disease. 

Running and endurance sports are my way of reclaiming my body, proving that I am in control. I want to train hard, push myself, and show others that no matter how broken you may feel at times, you can rebuild. You can be an athlete, no matter your past struggles.

One of my biggest passions is helping others, especially kids and young adults who have been through their own battles. I want to coach, train, and mentor those who are struggling with physical, emotional, or mental health challenges. Whether they’re dealing with illness, injuries, or mental blocks, I want to be the person who helps them see their strength again.

Chronic illness doesn’t just attack your body, it plays HUGE games with your mind. I’ve lived through the anxiety, the depression, the fear of not knowing what’s next. I’ve felt the isolation, the frustration of watching everyone else move forward while you feel stuck in place.

I don’t want anyone to feel alone in that battle. That’s why mental health check-ins will be a part of my future. Whether it’s through coaching, running groups, or one-on-one training, I want to be a mentor for others. I want to create a space where people can talk openly about what they’re going through while using movement as a tool to build themselves back up.

This isn’t just about exercise, it’s about healing, confidence, and proving to yourself that you can do hard things. Because when you start to push yourself physically, your mind follows.

Teaching, Coaching, and Impacting Lives
Teaching has always been at the core of who I am. I know I’m meant to be in the classroom, shaping young minds, helping kids build confidence in their abilities, and giving them tools to succeed. But teaching isn’t the only way I want to impact lives.

I want to have other jobs on the side—coaching, counseling, and supporting kids and adults who need guidance in their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. With my education degree and my own experiences, I know I can help kids who are struggling with similar issues, whether it’s chronic illness, learning differences, or mental health battles. 

I want to help kids and young adults train, set goals, push through their struggles, and realize they can reclaim their lives. The fight isn’t over just because you’ve been knocked down. You can get back up. You can build something beautiful out of your hardest moments.

Advocating & Becoming the Best Version of Me
More than anything, I want to be an advocate. An advocate for people fighting invisible battles. An advocate for kids who feel lost. An advocate for young adults who are trying to find their way back to themselves.

And the best way I can do that? By becoming the best version of myself first. By proving that it’s possible to fight through chronic illness, to push past limitations, and to create a life that is full of energy, movement, and joy.

I want to be the person who shows others that you don’t have to stay stuck. You don’t have to accept feeling weak, or tired, or like your body is working against you. You can fight back. You can rebuild. You can live fully.

Manifesting It All: The Dream I’m Creating
✔️ Running more races—half marathons, marathons, triathlons, ultras.
✔️ Coaching & mentoring kids and young adults through physical and mental challenges.
✔️ Using my education degree to guide and support students who need extra help.
✔️ Making mental health check-ins and physical activity a way to heal and grow.
✔️ Moving around, living in different places, and embracing every opportunity.
✔️ Advocating for people with chronic illnesses & showing them they can reclaim their lives.
✔️ Becoming the strongest, healthiest version of myself.

This is my vision. This is the life I am creating.

It won’t happen overnight. It will take work, discipline, and commitment. But I know deep down that I am capable of building this life. I’ve already fought through so much—I know I can take it even further.

So here’s to the future, to the journey ahead, and to becoming everything I was meant to be.