how do I raise my light level or am I soft capped?

[Sisyphus]

okay so I used to play a lot of destiny 1 and then destiny 2 year 1 but I stopped after they removed content I payed for and made other free anyways i'm getting back into destiny and I brought forsaken shadow keep and beyond light and my light level is stuck at like 1520 I feel like the light level is way higher for other people so I dont even feel like playing now just because my light level won't go up is this normal?

[Ixamesh]

https://www.blueberries.gg/leveling/destiny-2-beginners-guide/
https://www.blueberries.gg/leveling/destiny-2-max-power-level/

[N33MA]

Once you reach 1520 you are at the soft cap for gear. You now need to do weekly challenges marked with the yellow icon for 'Powerful Gear'. That cap you out at 1570 power at which point you need to do 'Pinnacle Gear' challenges to get to 1580.