I’m so excited for my birthday next week. (That’s December 5, for those who are asking.) And yes, my birthdays since 2020 have been lovely, but after all the joyful moments this 2025, I have never been beyond-cloud-nine excited for my birthday in years.
And on this 20th Notes to Self, let me share a quote that proves why my 2025 has been the happiest year of my life yet. And this time, this quote comes from my mind.
Sometimes, you need to get out of the shadows and enjoy light, especially with people who matter.
As I said before, I have had many happy moments this year. Most of them involve social interaction, and as an awkward introvert, socializing is not my strong suit. But sometimes I have to get out of the shadows and talk to people.
And from meeting childhood heroes and recent favorite musicians to spending time with old and new friends (most especially, a friend I met in Seoul recently), I looked back on those moments, and I’m proud to say to myself, “I’m better at socializing now!” Now, I think I have found a way to interact with people politely and friendly, but… still me. And I believe that even if my social battery gets drained in the process, sometimes being social is worth it, especially with people who matter.
But like I said: sometimes. I need to get back into the shadows and finalize my birthday plans.
See you in the next post.
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A part of 14 Days of The Deranged Writer (2025).
Header image: Burak The Weekender of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.
The Diary of The Deranged Writer 