Marielle Ignacio DeTorres

Growing up will demand of us to become new. Still, I feel more grounded in myself at 27 than I’ve ever been in my twenties.

There is a quiet peace in knowing who I am, while understanding who others are. I have a better sense of what I’m accountable for, and I know when to make space for others to grow. I’ve learned to accept some things as they are, but I’ve also earned the courage to fight for what’s valuable and worth keeping.

True, I’ve been guilty of overreaching too. It’s given me nothing but anxiety and shame for things that are not my own. I used to grasp for things beyond me, but I’ve found the unique freedom of letting go.

It took me a bit of time, but I know now that I don’t exist to fix people nor am I responsible for choices that they knowingly make. No matter how bad it gets.

I can watch the pieces fall as they may. The best that I can offer is to stay and accompany them on their way. Perhaps the blessing is in being able to do it gently, without forcing control. I can let go of my self-righteousness, suspend my judgment, and be malleable enough to allow people to meet me halfway.