It’s the Twelfth of December, and I’m Twentish

It’s the Twelfth of December, and I’m Twentish

This year, one post on TikTok always stops me in my tracks. It says: "Hindi na marami ang tubig ng instant noodles." Simple words, yet they hold so much weight. Each time I read it, something inside me shifts. It’s funny how the simplest things we overlook can make us reflect on how far we’ve come.  

I dove into the comments section and found countless stories mirrored my childhood. Each one hit differently:  

- "Sawsawan na yung toyo, hindi na ulam."

- "Hindi na magsisinungaling sina mama at papa na busog sila."

- "May coke na kahit walang bisita."

- "You can buy Jollibee now, kahit walang okasyon."

- "Hindi na itutulog ang Pasko at New Year."

- "May cake na sa birthday."

- "Hindi na naghihintay mabigyan ng lumang damit at sapatos ng pinsan."

- "Cravings na lang ang sardinas."

- "Nakakapag-grocery na yung batang inuutusan dati mangutang ng itlog at noodles sa tindahan."

Reading these made me tear up. This was my life, my family, our story in every line. What once felt like impossible dreams—Coke without guests, birthdays with cake—have quietly turned into my reality.  

Sometimes, we get so caught up in chasing big goals that we forget to celebrate the small victories. It’s easy to dwell on where we’re not yet, but when we take a moment to look back, we see how far we’ve come. And that? That’s worth celebrating.  

This realization feels particularly poignant as I approach my 29th birthday. I’m in this "twentish" stage—a middle ground between two decades, a mix of endings and beginnings. It reminds me of Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story, coming to terms with the fact that he’s not just a toy but part of something bigger. That’s where I am: slowly figuring it out, one small step at a time.  

This year brought challenges that pushed me out of my comfort zone. I started teaching in a new school, met incredible students, and connected with people whose experiences have enriched my own. I also faced the academic mountain of my comprehensive exam and thesis—an ongoing battle (or perhaps a mutual wrestling match).  

I have always included the word of the year in my lengthy birthday essays; for 2024, it’s “brain rot.” This reminds us to guard our intellectual and emotional well-being in an age where trivial content floods our minds. The phrase may have gained prominence this year, but its roots go back to 1854 when Henry David Thoreau wrote:  

"While England endeavours to cure the potato rot, will not any endeavour to cure the brain-rot – which prevails so much more widely and fatally?"

Thoreau’s critique resonates with today’s concerns about how overconsumption of shallow content can erode our capacity for depth. My takeaway? Stay mindful of what I consume—not just online but in life.  

So here I am, on the cusp of twenty-nine, reflecting on growth, lessons, and progress. I’ve learned that moving forward doesn’t require grand celebrations or perfect milestones. It’s about recognizing the quiet victories that build up over time.  

This year, I’ve realized that we’re all in a constant state of becoming. And while I’m not yet the person I hope to be, I’m proud of who I am today because every step—big or small—has brought me closer to where I need to be.  

Here’s to twenty-nine. To the struggles, the small wins, and the endless possibilities ahead.  

We’re not done yet. We’re just getting started.