Plot Twists & Progress | Jin’s March 2026

March came with the start of spring and an unexpected heat wave here in Los Angeles that had me wondering if it was somehow already summer. Along with the warmer weather came a handful of plot twists, but luckily all in the best way possible. This month ended up being filled with fun surprises, little adventures, and so many moments that let me cross things off my bingo in ways I did not expect. Somehow, March turned into a month that felt both exciting and fulfilling, and I’m excited to look back and share what plot twists and progress came in March.

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Lifestyle: Travel & Relationships

Bingo

Church

One thing I ended up crossing off my bingo this month was going back to church, which felt more meaningful than I expected. I grew up Christian, but I really have not gone consistently since college, and even then it was never very frequent. It was always something I had thought about doing again, especially with how anxious I have been feeling lately and just questioning life in general, but it had been one of those things that felt easier to keep putting off. I think part of me built it up so much in my head that it started to feel intimidating and overwhelming, which is actually why I put it on my bingo last month in the first place, just to give myself a little extra push. But once I finally went to the first service, I realized it was not nearly as intimidating as my mind had made it out to be. Since then, I have actually really enjoyed the process of getting back into it. I have been trying out a few different locations, easing into the routine, and finding comfort in waking up early, getting ready, going to church, and then having a nice meal after. It has been a really grounding rhythm for me, and I have been enjoying learning and easing back into that part of my life.

Escape Room

Another bingo moment this month was going to an escape room on a double date, which ended up being such a fun little adventure. The mystery of figuring out where one of the characters went was definitely stressful at times, but that’s part of the thrill. We technically only asked for one official hint, though the moderator was so kind and gave us a few extra nudges along the way, and even extended our time a few minutes because we were so close. The mix of teamwork, strategy, and just laughing through the chaos made it such a memorable experience. Of course, the best part was that we actually escaped in the end there’s nothing like that feeling of victory after a challenge!

Meseum

Another big bingo check this month was visiting the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures for the Ponyo exhibit, which was a first for both my boyfriend and me. We spent so much time exploring every section, including a free Jaws walking tour that I didn’t even know existed, and it was such a fun way to see the museum from a different angle. I had watched Ponyo the night before to get ready, and it was extra exciting because my boyfriend is a big Studio Ghibli fan, so seeing the exhibit together felt special. It was also a big win for our bucket lists, finally checking off a museum visit! The day turned into a full little adventure: we grabbed mango after the museum, wandered around LACMA, and even tried a Studio Ghibli–inspired restaurant for dinner, though my boyfriend wasn’t exactly a fan of his portion. All in all, it was such a fun, full day, and a perfect memory to add to our March adventures.

Library

The last bingo check for the month was finally visiting the library in my area. I’ve lived here for over three years and had never been, so it felt like a little overdue adventure. It was such a peaceful spot, and the timing couldn’t have been better since I had a huge portion of my book club book left to read. The quiet atmosphere made it easy to focus, and it was also a perfect way to stay cool during this unexpected heatwave. It ended up being a simple but surprisingly satisfying little check off the bucket list.

Birthdays

Pickleball Tournament

This month also brought a fun birthday celebration for one of my friends, and the theme was a pickleball tournament! I loved that it wasn’t just about playing games, but also about giving back as we packed up donations for local shelters, which made the day feel even more meaningful. The tournament itself was such a blast. We got to mix it up with some new faces and ended up winning all four games in our first round. When we moved up to play another pair, we lost but still took second place. Even though we usually play pickleball just for fun, it was rewarding to see how much progress we’ve made over the past year or two and to celebrate that together.

Home Cafe

Later in the month, we celebrated my roommate Sophie’s birthday with her very own at-home cafe day. She transformed and rearranged our apartment just for the occasion, and it was so much fun to see all the effort and preparations she put in throughout the week come to life. From the little details to the cozy setup, everything felt so thoughtful, and I loved being able to celebrate with her. It was such a warm, fun way to mark her special day, and I hope she had the best time enjoying all of it.

Disco

Another birthday this month was my ex-coworker Adam’s. He’s invited me to a few of his events in the past, but I never got the chance to attend, so I decided to stop by and wish him a happy birthday at a disco club, even though going out isn’t really my vibe anymore. It ended up being super chill, and I’d like to think he really appreciated seeing me. Another coworker of mine also stopped by, which made it feel more like a small, fun reunion than a big night out.

Work

This month came with a major plot twist at work as our company trip to Cancun got canceled. With everything happening in Mexico, it made sense, even though Cancun was technically safe to travel. The announcement came just a week before, and while I wasn’t upset, I was really looking forward to some time away from my laptop and a break from the usual chaos. Even though we didn’t get the week off, I realized it gave me a chance to stay in LA, explore a bit, and take life a little easier. So, even with the plot twist, it ended up working out, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we get a chance to go somewhere later this year.

Work has also been busy this month, and I’ve been adjusting to my new role. I feel like I’m finally reaching a point where I’m comfortable, but it still feels new, and there’s this constant expectation from everyone that I know everything already. It’s been challenging at times, but I’m learning to navigate it and take things one step at a time.

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Lows & Lessons:

This month wasn’t without its lows and lessons, even if the adventures and bingo wins helped keep me smiling. Work has been tough, and transitioning into my new role has pushed me in ways I didn’t fully anticipate. I’m at a point where I feel like I almost know everything, but everyone still expects me to have all the answers, and that pressure sometimes makes me question if I’m doing enough or if I’m moving fast enough toward the career I want. I know I’m young, but not that young anymore, and it’s strange balancing ambition with patience.

On top of that, I’ve been wrestling with anxiety about almost everything - from future plans to small daily choices. There were moments this month where I felt like I was spiraling, like I was having a mini-life crisis. One thing that has helped me navigate this uncertainty has been going back to church. I was nervous, anxious, and honestly intimidated to go, but having a partner who is so understanding and willing to join me in this new adventure made all the difference. I’ve always communicated that I wanted to return to church, but never wanted to force it on anyone, and it’s been so nice to have someone supportive alongside me, being part of this journey and making it feel less intimidating.

I’m realizing that growth isn’t always linear, and that being hard-working and ambitious doesn’t mean I have to carry the weight of the world by myself.

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Songs on Repeat:

Beauty and a Beat - Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj

Stateside - PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson

Midnight Sun - Zara Larsson

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My Pick of the Month: Russian Nails

My pick of the month has to go to getting my Russian nails done. My roommate had warned me that her appointment earlier that week took 2.5 hours without removal, so I was mentally preparing for about three hours and even brought my headphones to pass the time. It ended up taking exactly three hours, but it was so worth it. The nail techs really cleaned everything and used a strong builder gel to keep my nails safe, and my nails have stayed long ever since. I went with a fresh green color for March, which felt perfect for the month and gave me such a satisfying little self-care moment.

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Looking back, March really was full of unexpected moments that ended up shaping the month in the best ways. From small adventures checked off my bingo to navigating challenges at work and in life, it reminded me that even when things don’t go as planned, there’s always room for growth and progress. Sometimes the plot twists feel big and overwhelming in the moment, but with reflection (and a little patience) they often turn into lessons, memories, or even new traditions. I’m grateful for the highs, the lows, and everything in between, and I’m excited to see how the rest of 2026 continues to unfold.

Talk to you next month,

-- Jin