Silver Standard | My 25th

I keep freaking out that I am finally 25.

I have no idea what I wanted to be when I envisioned myself being 25 anymore. I’ve undergone massive unlearning, so much so that my dreams are no longer the same. Sometimes I wonder if I have dreams anymore, or I am perhaps just riding the wave. I do like riding the wave.

I completed my 25 years of life representing the country I so love at the SADC Youth Parliament. What a rather symbolic way to say goodbye to my ‘youth’.

25 years around the sun. I’m grateful.

25 taught me to draw boundaries. I have been very intentional about those. I learnt how to teach people how far they can, and cannot, go with me. I am very intentional about what I tolerate. This is very important to me.

I continue to unlearn my self-importance; and I am still learning a ‘we’ way of existing. I like this way of being.

I’ve spent the better part of my year working my ass off; and building things I want to last for, and beyond, my lifetime.

What freaks me out the most about 25 is that I can no longer be ‘trying’. I have to start doing. It seems like I have been doing for a while – but to me; I was still trying. Trying this and that; trying to make things work.

I am still figuring it out; but I’ve built some pretty great things; and it’s time we started doing.

For my 25th birthday, I would like to introduce you to:

**NEW MEDIA NETWORK AFRICA** | *The Media Platform*

and

**NTHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION** | *The Education Trust*

These are the things I, alongside my absolutely amazing team, have spent my year building, and this is my way of no longer trying, and now ‘doing’.

I’d say much about them, but I will allow you to check them out for yourselves. We will be launching them as soon as Corona can allow.

Grateful for all my friends and family for making me feel as special as you have this year. This is likely my best birthday ever – and that’s saying something cause Dave ensured the past 2 were great too.

As I start my 26th chapter, I am grateful for my soulmate Dave; for being my rock, my center, and everything he is to me; for always pushing me to become my greatest self. I wouldn’t be me without you, kipenzi.

And to you all, 84,000+ readers – I am grateful you join me every so often on this journey. When I am the media mogul I aspire to be, someday, I will say it was because you spared a few minutes of your day to stop by here whenever you could. From the deepest parts of me – thank you!

Let’s see what 26 holds. Let’s upgrade the silver standard, and see if we can go for gold.