“The most beautiful part of your body is where it’s headed. & remember, loneliness is still time spent with the world.” -Ocean Vuong The goal was to capture myself as authentically as possible. A birthday present to myself—for understanding the importance of putting myself first. For being patient. For continuously granting myself the space to let my creative soul roam. Undisguised. I was nervous to share this. Full of critiques and excuses—sloppy, tired legs, rough ground. Did I pick a good song? Should I have perfected the choreography? The sun broke through the clouds on the last take; I knew it would be imperfectly perfect. I had dreamed of making a personal video like this for years now. I needed a deadline (turning 21) and a themralex (can’t thank you enough) to make it happen. It’s funny— I thought I would stop dancing altogether when I got to college. Now I feel like it’s just the beginning. 21. Excited and afraid. Confident and nervous. Intoxicated by all of it.