My Past Year: The Crazy, the Chill, and the In-Between

Today's my birthday.

I've officially aged another year, and I almost can't believe it. These past few days, I've switched between excited to disbelieving to ... well, my usual chill. Almost. I will not give my age on here, but I will say that it's a terrifying age to be, in more ways than one. At least in my mind. 😂

But this year, I'm just so thankful. Thankful that with each precious year that slips by, God has revealed more and more of His incredible faithfulness. He has revealed so much about Himself and how to best live for Him. And in the humblest way possible, I can really see how He has grown me a little way beyond my comfort zone.

So I thought it would be suitable to explore that vein a little more with 10 lessons I've learned in this past year of life. Because y'know, I love life lessons. A bit too much. 😉

1. Every moment is precious.

This one was definitely a big one this year! Through a series of events and sober reminders, God taught me that I really do take every moment for granted. Too often I think it's really easy to slip into the habit of living for the days to come, rather than focusing on where I am right now. I definitely haven't mastered fully appreciating the people and moments God has gifted me with, but I'm learning ... slowly, through moments of gratitude and journaling memories.

2. Trust is practical.

Last year, I evaluated my spiritual life and chose a word to really focus on this year—trust. I read the verses on it, focused on aspects of God's character that linked to it, and tried to apply it to my own life. But little did I know before this year how genuine trust in our Heavenly Father can eliminate fears and anxiety about the future and replace it with peace.

3. Awkwardness eases with practice.

This is kind of a funny one. At the start of the year, I was so awkward—like you-would-not-believe-awkward. 😆 I would literally shake before calls. I would rehearse what I was going to say hours in advance. I dreaded social events and public speaking. And to be honest, I was kind of content to stay that way.

Well, this year, God had me face my fears head-on. He provided multiple opportunities to do presentations. I even had the chance to do three book signings, which of course consisted of meeting readers and chatting with them, which was really fun! A little peek into the life of what it feels like to be a real author.

But miraculously, I not only survived, but the book signings provided such a boost of confidence for me. Speaking really does get better with practice. I'm definitely not perfect, of course, but lately, I've been able to carry some conversations with a few strangers. And not gonna lie, I'm actually pretty proud of that. 😉

4. Life is short and trivial.

Now I definitely don't mean this in the way that's dismissive of life, with all its trials and adventures, but I do mean it in the way that in contrast to the amazingness of our Savior and eternity, life is both of those things. Too often we're focused on small issues that to us believers don't contribute to the things God's Word has told us matter—and of course, an un-Christ-focused culture doesn't help. This past year of my life really dialed things down for me and helped me see from a birds' eye view that I should start focusing on the things that matter. Not the things I think matter. But the things I know matter.

And what are these things?

The Greatest Commandment. Loving God. Loving one another.

In other words, we as believers are all instructed to put a relationship with God first, and then spread the love of Christ to those around us.

So in everything I focus on, I try to ask myself: does this truly matter, according to God's Word?

5. Patience with yourself is essential.

Talk about a hard lesson to learn. Part of learning this is realizing that no matter what, there will be days that I don't get my to-do list done. There will be days where I'm just so braindead and exhausted I just can't. There will be times where I'll have to put my own wellbeing ahead of a neat and tidy checked-off to-do list.

And you know what? That's okay. Because at the end of the day, there's always more I could have done. But as humans on this earth, we have limitations. Contrary to popular belief, a to-do list isn't everything. I can't count the amount of times that I've completed all my tasks and still feel I haven't used my day to the best of my ability. And ultimately, a completed to-do list won't bring fulfillment—only God will.

6. Life may be overwhelming, but it won't stay that way.

This year, God also showed me my own limitations. I spent so many days exhausted and braindead this month, overwhelmed by life and how it all felt too much for me at times. It didn't help that this year brought many new changes, ones I didn't see coming. I've had good days and bad, but I can honestly say this season of my life, no matter how painful it was at times, brought me closer to God. And through it, I've learned that dark days don't last forever. Life will slowly ease into a place of familiarity again, like crocuses bursting through the snow after a long winter.

7. Laugh at your mistakes, but learn from them.

Yes, I did just quote Anne of the Island. 😆

But really, it's true. I realized this year that I take my mistakes wayyy too seriously, beating myself over everything I do wrong and avoiding decisions like the plague because I'm afraid of regretting it later. But over this year, I've slowly started to recognize the fact that I can't change the past. I can't change the decisions I've made. However, I can peer into the past and see those lessons I've learned all along the way, then use those lessons to move forward.

Other highlights

I went on many crazy adventures this past year of my life, but these are just a few!

• Left my favorite writing community in the entire world, YDubs (I miss you guys 🥲)

• Wrote my first-ever writing sci-fi/dystopian novel, The Library of Lost Cures

• Read more books than I ever have in a year—120 and counting

• Participated in a formal graduation

• Celebrated Quill of Hope's 1st birthday

• Started dabbling in photography and poetry

• Got published on Story Embers

• Started a new job doing clerical work for a health organization

• Published Shards of Sky

• Participated in three book signings

• Organized the official YDubs Conference

• Hiked four local peaks and didn't die

• Learned sailing and was forever scarred after multiple capsizing accidents (that's the dramatic version 😆)

• Joined the Author Conservatory

• Went camping for the first time in my life, and loved it so much

• Spent many peaceful moments outdoors in the autumn weather listening to music, primarily Riley Clemmons (Godsend & I'll Stay), Sarah Reeves (Motions & 2009), Leanna Crawford (What You Can't Forget), Hollyn (literally allll the music, or Tension), Matthew Parker (Bloodstream & Darling), Rachael Nemiroff (How To Save a Life remix & One Heart Two Homes), Social Club Misfits (Without You), and STARSET (Everglow)

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So in all, I've learned quite a bit from this past year of my life. And while I certainly don't have it all together, I would have to say that I've definitely grown as a person. Those are the lessons and memories from this past year that I'm so beyond thankful for.

I think one of my favorite songs sums it up best~

These are the days we'll talk about for years and years Raising our glasses full of all our tears, cheers To the fight that we won with our hands tiеd To the nights that we turned into sunrisе These are the days we'll talk about for years

\\ Years, Sarah Reeves

This past year was one of struggle. But it was also one that I know I'll look back on and laugh at. Because ultimately, these moments of darkness don't define the course of my entire life, and God is bigger than it all.

I hope you enjoyed this rambly post that really sums up the past year quite well. It was definitely a bit hectic, but here's to more adventures in the future. 😉

Now it's your turn!

While you may not be celebrating a birthday, what are some crazy things you're thankful for this Thanksgiving? Have you listened to any of the artists I listed above?

'Til next time, and happy Thanksgiving!

~ Em ✨ / E. C. Colton