Illumination Writes

Originally Published August 29, 2022

I’m officially level 22! And yes, I have listened to the famous Taylor Swift song several times today. In some ways, I can’t believe that I’m only twenty-two, because I tend to feel and act older than I actually am. I think that might be due to ‘oldest child syndrome.’ Simultaneously, I still feel like I have a lot of growing up to do.

I have had mixed feelings about my birthday for years. I grew up thinking it wasn’t important as it can get overlooked by crazy end-of-summer schedules and back to school. In fact, twice in my life now I started a school year on my birthday. Once was on my fifth birthday, when I started kindergarten, and my eighteenth birthday, when I started Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM).

Despite those feelings, this birthday in particular feels significant for a few reasons. One is that it is a double-digit year. I think it’s cool how I never have to figure out the math for my birthday since I’m a Y2K baby; I’m always turning the age the year is. 2022 has been a very significant year for me, and it is icing on the cake that I can turn twenty-two in 2022.

I’ve also accomplished quite a few milestones this year. I entered my twenty-first year of life feeling quite heartbroken as I had just ended a three-year relationship a few months prior. However, I was bubbling with expectation and nervous excitement as I would be starting a new job just a few days later…which has turned out to be my dream job.

Through this job, I met some amazing mentors, friends, and new acquaintances that have changed my life. I look at the people I know now—those who I’ve received messages from today—and I am blown away. I thank God for every single one of the new friends and acquaintances I have made this year. The caliber of people I am surrounded by truly amazes me. You all have been such a blessing to me.

I finished my bachelor’s degree in March! I didn’t think I had enough creative ability left in me to finish my senior project, but I did and passed with flying colors.

I went to my first tent revival and met some awesome people of God, who I am so honored to get to know. I went to another tent meeting two weeks after that, meeting other awesome people! It was a political event, but it really felt like church. I’ve made many more trips to and from Salem than I thought I ever would this year.

I flew across the country by myself to see my friend in Ohio. That was an adventure! I now have a bad airport experience story, but I had such a fun stay in Ohio and I would love to go back. That trip might get a post of its own at some point, who knows?

Perhaps one of the biggest things I have done this year is launching the very blog you are reading now. It might not function to the full capacity that I want it to currently, but it’s a start. I am very proud of this achievement in particular because it is something that I decided to do for myself on my terms. The whole theme of this blog is for me to explore what “writing on my own terms” means to me. Sure, I had encouragement from a friend to go for it, but I was the one who called the shots. I am so glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone and started this project to document my journey and to encourage and inspire those who read my posts. Thank you so much for reading! I appreciate every single one of you.

While I may have entered year twenty-one feeling broken, I am now reflecting on all of the good that has come out of this last year, and I am looking ahead to year twenty-two with greater expectations. I thank God for every blessing He has brought me. I am looking forward to becoming bolder, more confident, wiser, healthier, more loving, and kinder in the next year.

If twenty-one was one of my best years ever, the double twenty-two is going to be even better.

Here’s to twenty-two!