So Maybe It Wasn’t a Highlight Kind of Year

As we step into January 1st, I find myself scrolling through others’ highlight reels and reflecting on my own 2024. I grabbed my phone and started looking back through my camera roll to begin gathering the memories to compile and share all that has happened in the last 12 months. How fun, right? But as I scrolled the hundreds of squares on the screen, I found my heart feel just the tiniest bit heavy as I was reminded of what this past year really was. No fancy events, no exotic destinations, and no jaw-dropping milestones. This year didn’t involve big changes or bucket-list checkmarks. Not really a highlight kind of year, huh? What I did see was a lot of simple, humble, everyday living. I came across birthdays, morning snuggles, daily studies, and family walks. I came across kids’ selfies, sports games, and car rides. Because this past year? It was about showing up, even when it felt like nothing was moving forward. Maybe you felt this way too?

Five years ago, we made a leap of faith moving to Nashville, full of hope and big dreams for what we envisioned for our family. What has followed has been years of challenges that have tested us in ways we never could have imagined. It has often felt like we have been stuck in the mud, simply spinning our wheels, unsure of how to move forward. But here’s what I have learned: You don’t get unstuck overnight. There’s no magic moment when life suddenly starts running smoothly again. I’ve learned the power of small steps, the beauty of showing up even when it’s hard (and quite frankly the last thing you want to do), as well as the importance of gratitude for the simple things. These lessons are shaping how I approach this new year.

Here’s what’s “out” for me in 2025:

Scarcity mindset. Over the past month or so I have done a deep dive into mindset work. Because when you can’t control everything, you work to control what you can. And it’s made me realize just how much harder life becomes when you’re operating from a place of lack. This year, I’m letting go of the belief that there’s never enough and embracing the abundance that is always there should you choose to seek it.

Anxiousness. Years of navigating challenges has taken a toll on my mental health. I’ve seen how debilitating anxiety can be when it seeps into every corner of life. This year, I’m choosing peace and grounding, prioritizing practices that help me feel centered and moving at a slower pace as much as I need to in order to heal.

Playing small. After walking through struggle after struggle, it can feel easier to avoid going big just to avoid any potential disappointment. This year, it’s going to be about going all in, embracing bold moves and trusting the process.

And here’s what’s “in” for me this year:

Prioritizing my nervous system. After years of living in fight-or-flight mode, I’m focusing on rest, recovery, and daily practices that bring calm and balance back into my everyday.

Healthy aging. Turning 40 this year as a bit of a wake-up call in the fact that I don’t have all the time in the world to “get started”. I want to keep up with my kids for the long haul—and dangit I want to look good doing it! This year, I’m embracing habits and choices that nourish my body, mind, and spirit for the future.

Creativity. Somewhere along the way, I lost a bit of my spark while just trying to put one foot in front of the other every day. This year, I’m making space to rediscover the joy of creating, not just in work but in all areas of my life.

So... maybe it wasn't a highlight kind of year after all. I'm reflecting on 2024: all about surviving, finding clarity, what's in for me as well as what's out, and embracing small steps forward in 2025.

I have long outgrown the need for a mile-long list of resolutions aimed at perfection instead of intention. Older and wiser now, you know? For the last handful of years now, I simply focus on choosing a word. A word that will act as my North star, my compass in all that I do (I wrote about this back in 2022 as well as 2023).

My focus word for this year is ‘consistency’.

This year, I’m leaning into it—showing up for myself and the things that matter most, even when it’s messy and imperfect. And in every area of my life—from chasing my business goals to nurturing my health to being present with my family. I’m committing to showing up wholly and intentionally. On some days maybe this means embracing the chaos that sometimes comes with being a working parent, or giving myself grace when plans don’t go according to plan. But through it all, remembering that small steps forward are still progress. It’s not about doing it all; it’s about doing what matters most with purpose. And doing it with a hell of a lot of heart. If you’re feeling stuck or uninspired, let me remind you: small, intentional steps are still steps forward.

So maybe I didn’t see anything big or exciting when I looked back through all of the memories of this past year. But what I saw was a life full of quiet simplicity. Full of love. Full of seasons. And if that’s not something worth celebrating, then I don’t know what is. It reminded me that life isn’t just about the big, sparkling moments; it’s about the quiet ones that build a foundation for everything else.

___

Finally, I just want to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you for being part of this community, for your kindness and encouragement throughout the years. For every IG story you watch, comment made, DM sent, email responded to, purchase or investment made with me. For following along as I navigate all the things through the many different seasons of life we have shared together. Your support means more than I can ever put into words, and I’m so grateful to have you here.

So here’s to 2025. Here’s to showing up, embracing the messy middle, and taking those small steps forward. Here’s to creating a life that feels meaningful, intentional, and beautifully our own. And here’s to cultivating a well-designed life like never before.

So... maybe it wasn't a highlight kind of year after all. I'm reflecting on 2024: all about surviving, finding clarity, what's in for me as well as what's out, and embracing small steps forward in 2025.

January 1, 2025

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