The Weight Of 25

Being an adult has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’m not even sure I qualify as a full adult yet. I’m 25, with six months and five days left before I turn 26, life feels a lot heavier than I expected. Honestly, some days I wish I never grew up.

Hi, I’m Melody Sky. She/her.

Even though I’m closer to 30 than I care to admit, I still feel like a teenager figuring life out. There’s a lot I thought I’d have accomplished by now, but I’m slowly learning the meaning of “Man proposes, God disposes.” You can plan your day or week down to the last detail, and suddenly life throws unexpected challenges your way.

Growing up, I didn’t have a clear passion. I wasn’t the kind of kid who knew they wanted to be a doctor, engineer, or artist. I just floated. The only thing that brought me any peace was journaling here and there. Looking back, that uncertainty followed me into adulthood.

As the last born in a family of five, I was never given the space to make my own decisions until I was 21. Even when I got into college, my parents didn’t trust me to handle things myself. My dad never listened to me. Anytime I asked for help, he’d call my sister first to “confirm” if what I was saying was true. It crushed my confidence. I grew up with social anxiety and low self-esteem. It took everything in me to rebuild that part of myself.

That’s probably why today, I can’t stand being told what to do. I hate being silenced or dismissed because that was all I knew growing up.

Now here’s the thing: even though I can’t be open about my sexuality, I’ve always been proud of who I am. I’m bisexual. I’ve dated both men and women, and trust me, neither is easier. I’m currently in a relationship with a guy, but that doesn’t erase who I am. I will always be attracted to my own gender too.

Anyway, back to my story.

I didn’t realize how unprepared I was for life after college until I was thrown into it. My parents didn’t exactly plan a future for me. I had to figure everything out on my own. Life felt overwhelming. I felt like a burden. So I took a job as a sales representative in a gadget store and that changed everything.

It was a whole new world. I slowly fell in love with the business. I watched, I learned, I adapted. My boss became an unofficial mentor, and soon I wasn’t just selling gadgets I was dreaming of owning my own business. For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged somewhere. I found something I was good at. Something that was mine. No help. No hand-holding. Just me. Melody.

At 24, I had my first real aspiration. Before that, I was just letting life take me wherever. But now? I see a future. I have plans. Goals. Dreams.

And as I step into the next chapter, here are a few hard lessons I’ve learned in my first 25 years:

Always put yourself first. People are naturally selfish. Learn how to protect your space.

• Be mysterious. Silence can be power. Let people wonder.
• If someone does it once, they’ll do it again. Believe actions, not apologies.
• You can’t satisfy everyone. So stop trying.
• Only go out with people you trust. Your peace matters.
• Trust no one blindly.
• Listen to your instincts. Your body knows before your mind does.
• Everyone has ulterior motives. Don’t be naive.
• The first to be overly nice might be the one who talked behind your back.
• First impressions matter. So make yours count.

Nothing and I mean nothing can prepare you for adulthood. No book, no advice, no lecture. Life will humble you in ways you never imagined. But this is just the beginning. My author is only now picking up the pen.

I’ve always been afraid of the future, but now I realize: you can’t run from life. You can only face it. At 18, it felt like I had forever. Now at 25, I catch myself wishing I’d done things differently. But regrets don’t write our stories action does.

So here I am, finally ready to face life, my dreams in one hand, lessons in the other.

Wish me well, dear reader, as I step into the greatest journey called LIFE.