Phenomenally Becoming

I shared something with my healer today that felt both profound and strange: I told her I think I’m finally becoming a woman. At first, the thought felt unusual, almost foreign, but she understood me immediately. I explained further, saying I’ve spent most of my life as a student. For years, my identity was tied to learning and academia. But now, three years out of school, I’ve stepped into the workforce, endured significant loss, and faced a near-death experience. These moments—both beautiful and painful—have reshaped how I view my career, my relationships, and my place in this world.

As I unpacked this with my healer, our shared understanding of my statement deepened. I realized, though, that this isn’t unique to me. Many women experience something similar between the ages of 29-32. It’s a phase of life where our brains reach full maturity, and we start developing more independent, grounded thoughts and judgments. It’s fascinating to consider that, biologically, a woman’s body signals adulthood years, even decades, before her mind fully catches up. It feels backward in some ways, but I know that God makes no mistakes. Every part of this journey—every phase, every contradiction—is woven into His divine plan.

This conversation reminded me of something a colleague once said to me. He told me, “I see you as a grown woman.” He paused and added, “But then I look down and see your light-up shoes.” It felt like a metaphor—his way of saying he sees my growth and potential, but also my youth and the room I have to grow. It struck me because both can be true at once: I am maturing and evolving, yet there is still so much more ahead of me.

Right now, I am learning, healing, and growing on every front—emotionally, spiritually, and professionally. I am discovering who I am, piece by piece, and becoming someone I truly admire. I am becoming a woman—phenomenally.

To the women who shaped me: those I’ve loved, those I’ve lost, and those who remain in my life—thank you. And to my mom, who I miss so deeply: thank you for everything. Your lessons, your mistakes, your victories—they’ve all become a part of me. Without you, I wouldn’t be here, becoming the woman I’m meant to be.