For the last several years, I’ve been posting a short reflection on my birthday.

At 33, I set out to have more lightness and ease to my life. I hoped for a year of less regret, resentment, and doubt. I wanted to learn to be gentle with myself and others.

At 34, I admitted I wasn’t free from the grip of comparison, but I celebrated our move to a new city and church, as well as some strides I’d made in my physical and emotional health.