Ashley Liao Instagram – this is 22 (i guess)! i’ve always thought of birthday posts as a nice yearly check-in. this year is no exception. i loved being 21 and loved the life and woman that was created this year. 21 was a year of saying “yes” to learning how to love more well and fully. i fell in love and fell out of it and found that my friends are the best relationship in my life. they are generous by default and passionate about their work— they have made my world bigger. people ask if i’m in love and i tell them about my wonderful friends— the people who keep me afloat when my anxiety and depression get the best of me. oh! in my 21st year of life, i got medicated for those things and it was one of the best decisions of my life. don’t be afraid to go to therapy or be on an SSRI— we must continue to talk about mental health to break the stigma!! i want to acknowledge the pain of this year of life too. growing up is so confusing and if you feel the same way, you’re not alone! “one thing i do know is that we have to be kind—especially when we don’t know what’s going on” find the humanity in others and connect yours to theirs. talk to your friends about how the heartbreaking and scary things in our world make you feel—especially right now. hope is hard to find sometimes. stay close to the people that feel like hope. if you’re turning 21 this year the best advice i’d give is to have more open and candid 2 am calls with people you trust. you’ll never regret them but i’m sorry to your sleep schedule in advance. here’s to 22..ooh ooh! (cue the track!)