In this pre-birthday episode, I talk about the strange in-between space of growing up — that feeling of being not old, but not young either. I reflect on what getting older means to me, how birthdays feel different as an adult, and why slowing down before entering a new age matters more than we think.

I also share the cultural differences between celebrating birthdays in Indonesia vs. the U.S., my Sweet 17 experience, and the hilarious confusion around who pays the bill here. And of course, I talk about the pressure of being 24, the unrealistic expectations placed on young adults, and how everyone’s timeline is different.

This episode is a warm diary-style conversation about aging, nostalgia, cultural identity, and embracing the messy but beautiful process of becoming yourself.