By Kirsten Real
Hello Clients of OWA, it’s a pleasure to meet you! I’m Kirsten Real, this year’s summer intern. As I wrap up this wonderful experience, I find myself in yet another transition — one of many I’ve faced recently — as I begin to shift from the familiarity of a nurturing home and guided to the daunting uncertainty of independence and adulthood.
Turning 19 years old over this last weekend led me to reflect on the looming chapter of my 20s, where the relationships, friendships, and hobbies that once defined me are slipping away and new ones are evolving rapidly. Amid all this transformation, one question keeps resurfacing in my mind: What should I invest in? Not just financially, but emotionally and mentally as well. How do I decide what’s truly worth my time and energy when so much feels uncertain?
From what I observed within the stock market this past summer, navigating this stage of life feels similar to enduring a volatile market. There are always gains and losses, moments of clarity mixed with waves of confusion. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the noise around me and to wonder whether the choices I’m making now will lead to a fulfilling future or one as unpredictable as the present.
I’m beginning to realize that “figuring it out” isn’t just about chasing the highest return — or, as I’ve learned, seeking “alpha” — whether in finances, relationships or personal growth. For me, it’s about diversifying the experiences that shape who I am. I’ve been trying new things that push me out of my comfort zone, reconnecting with old friends, and staying open to the unexpected twists that seem to define this stage of life. It’s a bit like balancing a portfolio: sometimes the investments you least expect turn out to be the most rewarding. After all, isn’t growing up the most meaningful investment we can make?
