How Old Are You?
I am 26. But I am also 8, and 14, and 17, and 22. I carry inside me all these ages, with all their hurts and joys and challenges and learnings.
And that’s why my 26 is not your 26. Like Matryoshka dolls, we carry our years within us, and sometimes, a 4 tumbles out and bawls for attention, an 8 crumbles with hurt when people leave. The adult you may understand the reasons; meanwhile the 16 year old craves to build or rebuild a new self.
We are never just X years old, we are always all the years that came before as well.
So, Darling, if today a younger you ruled for a while, don’t be angry with yourself. Honour the journey you have been on.
Vatsala Joshi is an artist, doodler and young Indian woman. She is on Instagram as @wee_vatling and writes on self care, mental health and all the existential issues that concern young women growing up in a patriarchal society.
