Well, here I am, writing my first post on here! I’ve been meaning to do this for a while, and what better way to start than with a look back at 2024? It’s been quite a year – the kind that feels like several years packed into one, with moments that made me laugh, cry, grow, and sometimes all three at once.
Before I dive in, I should mention that this post is as much for me as it is for you. It’s my way of processing everything that’s happened and, hopefully, sharing some experiences that might resonate with others.
So, grab a cup of tea (or coffee, I don’t judge), and let’s recap my year together.
Personal Milestones
2024 was a year of significant milestones, both the kind you celebrate with cake and the kind that make you pause and reflect.
My partner and I hit 14 years together – quite the journey that keeps getting better.
Our family hit some big moments too: the twins turned 13 (hello, double teenage energy!), and our eldest reached 15.
Sometimes I look at them and wonder where all the time went. It probably sounds cliche, but it feels like I was bouncing them on my knee only yesterday.
Professionally, I celebrated my 5-year anniversary with Awesome Motive. It’s one of those milestones that sneaks up on you, and when you realize it’s been five years, you can’t help but feel proud of how far you’ve come.
I started out writing articles, but my role has evolved so much over the years. Now I manage the planning, SEO strategy, content creation, and marketing for three different projects. It’s been quite the journey and I’m so grateful to be working with a team that puts people first and supports me in my growth.
My bucket list also saw a new checkmark this year. In April we were able to witness the Aurora Borealis with the naked eye here in Devon, which is super rare.
Since I’ve always wanted to see it, I was right out there with my phone and caught the following snaps before it vanished:
This year also marked 8 years since recovering from my stroke. While it’s not exactly an anniversary I celebrate, it’s certainly significant. I still face daily challenges – left side weakness, temperature sensitivity, balance issues, and sleep apnea – but they’re just part of my story now.
Loss and Growth
This year brought me face to face with one of life’s hardest experiences – losing a parent. While it wasn’t my first experience of this – I lost my mum 13 years ago on Christmas Day – it was my first time handling everything alone.
There’s a special kind of weight that comes with being the one to organize funeral arrangements, deal with the estate, and handle selling a house. It’s a lot of practical responsibilities piled on top of your grief, and if you’ve never done it before, it can be overwhelming.
My way of handling it was pretty straightforward – I let myself completely fall apart on the day, then switched into organization mode. I needed that one day to just feel everything, but then there was work to be done.
However there were moments like this brief spark of life in my dad’s garden when clearing out the house. It allowed me the space to appreciate the smaller, beautiful things during the sadness.
Everyone handles grief differently, and this was my way of coping. Some throw themselves into work immediately, others need weeks to pause, and some find comfort in talking about memories. There’s no right or wrong way to process loss – it’s as individual as we are.
Being parentless now brings its own kind of feelings – a sort of isolation that’s hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it. It’s like being untethered in a way, having to go through life without the support and wisdom of the generation above you.
Health and Wellness
This year brought some encouraging wins on the health front. I managed to lose 10kg, though the journey taught me a lot about not getting fixated on numbers.
I found that taking a simpler approach worked better for me, and most importantly, I learned to be kind to myself when things didn’t go as planned. Those occasional blips? They’re just part of the journey, not the end of it and the crucial thing is to keep going.
One of my biggest challenges was pushing myself to get out of the house more. After realizing I’d become somewhat isolated, I made a conscious effort to take walks, even when it felt painful and scary.
This is where I had to swallow my pride a bit – I started using a walking stick, and you know what? It helped tremendously. I’m not ashamed of it anymore; it’s just another tool that helps me live my life better.
Living with the lingering effects of my stroke is a daily process of adaptation. But each year brings new ways of managing and working with these challenges rather than fighting against them.
Professional Projects
Like many in my industry, I spent a good part of this year grappling with the impact of AI. Initially, I worried about how it would affect my work and future. But rather than resist it, I decided to learn creative ways to use it to my advantage.
One of my colleagues shared a perspective that really shifted my thinking: think of AI as an actor, and yourself as the director.
This analogy helped me see AI as a tool to enhance my work rather than replace it. It’s about giving the right directions and using the output creatively, not letting it take over the whole show.
On a separate note, an exciting project that closed off the year was OnePageGA. This project pushed me well outside my usual WordPress comfort zone, requiring me to really dig deep into the complexities of Google Analytics.
I needed to ensure I thoroughly understood it so I could provide accurate, helpful information to our readers. It’s been both challenging and rewarding to work on this and I’m excited to see how the project grows this year.
Creative Projects
While most of my year was focused on professional work and personal challenges, I did manage to squeeze in some creative projects.
One that brought me particular joy was crocheting a scarf. It might seem like a simple project, but there’s something incredibly satisfying about creating something with your own hands. The best part? I shipped it off to a friend who absolutely loves it.
Poetry also became a way for me to process feelings and moments that were hard to express otherwise. Here’s one I’m not too embarrassed to share with you:
A Quiet Space
There’s a space you’ve carved,
not in the world,
but in the quiet
where everything else fades.
It isn’t the miles
or the hours that make you real—
it’s the way you settle in,
without asking,
without warning,
and become something
I can’t quite name,
but can’t forget.
You aren’t just a thought
or a distant voice.
You’re the feeling that stays,
the pull that doesn’t let go,
the quiet hum of something
I didn’t know I needed
until you filled it.
Today will pass,
like any other.
But you will stay—
in the space between,
in the places where words
can’t quite reach,
but you’re always felt.
I’ve written more throughout the year, but most are too personal to share. Poetry was something I used to write often and had somehow lost touch with over the years. It’s been wonderful to find my muse again, using words to capture moments and feelings that prose just can’t quite reach.
Reading List
While I didn’t read as many books as I usually do this year, the ones I did tackle were substantial reads that demanded time and attention. War and Peace isn’t exactly a quick beach read, after all!
My reading list included some heavyweight classics like “War and Peace” and “Les Misérables,” alongside modern works like “The Cloisters” and “I’m Thinking of Ending Things.”
Some other notable reads included:
- “The Matrix“
- “American Psycho“
- “The Memory Police“
- “Before and After“
- “Flesh and Blood“
- The Uplift trilogy
Looking back at this list, what I lacked in quantity, I definitely made up for in depth and variety.
Note: The above links are affiliate links, which means if you buy any of these books, I’ll earn a few pennies towards to my next bookish purchases. Thanks!
Simplifying Systems
This year taught me an important lesson about productivity: sometimes less really is more. I realized I was juggling too many tools and apps, and it was becoming overwhelming rather than helpful. As someone who thrives when things are dialed down to their essentials, I made a conscious decision to simplify.
I stripped back to just the core tools I genuinely need: Asana for project management, Slack for communication, and my trusty Apple Notes app for syncing ideas across devices.
No more jumping between multiple apps or trying to maintain systems that honestly created more work than they solved.
One of my most valuable tools turned out to be completely analog – my written journal.
Looking back through its pages while writing this post, I’m grateful for the habit of putting pen to paper. It’s been invaluable for processing thoughts and tracking the year’s journey.
Personal Reflections
This year brought some valuable perspective about relationships and self-worth. I made a conscious effort to forge new friendships and maintain those connections. It wasn’t always easy, but the impact on my self-esteem, confidence, and overall positivity has been remarkable.
I’ve also been grappling with something many of us face – an inferiority complex. While I recognize it’s something I’ll likely always struggle with, I’ve come to an important realization: I’m better than I think I am. It’s a simple truth, but one that’s taken time to accept.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As I look towards the new year, I have a mix of practical and personal goals I’d like to achieve. Some are continuations of journeys I’ve already started – like my ongoing health and weight loss journey. Others represent new adventures I want to embrace.
One big goal is to focus on getting out more, building on the progress I’ve made this year. I’d also like to actually use my passport and create some new experiences. It’s a goal I really want to achieve. However, I’m realistic enough to accept that it might be too much, so smaller steps might be necessary first.
On the practical side, there’s the task of wrapping up the sale of Dad’s house – the final task on that list that will bring some much needed closure.
Final Thoughts
Looking back at 2024, it’s been a year of changes, challenges, and growth. From personal loss to simplicity, rediscovering creative outlets to pushing professional boundaries, each experience has shaped me in its own way.
While not every moment was easy, each one contributed to who I am now as I step into 2025. If this year has taught me anything, it’s that growth often comes from unexpected places, and sometimes the hardest challenges bring the most meaningful changes.
Here’s to another year of learning, growing, and embracing whatever comes next.
What were some of the things that shaped your year? Feel free to share in the comments below.
