At the end of each year, I always take time for reflection. It’s a meaningful way to celebrate the wins (and yes, even the losses) while planning for a brighter year ahead (2025). This year, I decided to follow Mel Robbins’ format of a 7-question yearly audit. She does this every year with her husband and now includes her kids, and I thought it would be a great tradition to start!
1. What were the highlights of this year?
- January: Celebrated a key MOUment with my partner 🎉
- February: Spent my first Chinese New Year in the UK 🇬🇧
- March: Made new friends through climbing and admired spring flowers 🌸
- April: Explored the stunning South UK coastline (Dover, Eastbourne) 🌊
- May: Picnicked with new church friends and played with their kids 🧺
- June: Parents visited the UK! It was a meaningful family time, living together for the first time in a while. I learned to savour every moment with them.
- July: Birmingham trips, celebrating friends’ milestones, Kenny’s birthday, and summer activities like park runs and tennis 🎾
- August: Summer in Brussels and Berlin! Reconnected with family and attended inspiring conferences 🛤️
- September: Balanced tough moments with a trip to Arundel and a beautiful Saatchi Gallery visit 🎨
- October: Admired the autumn foliage 🍂, reconnected with high school friends, and discovered cozy cafes ☕
- November: Experienced unforgettable adventures in Paris, enjoyed amazing food, and celebrated an important family milestone 🥖
- December: Winter coziness: cooking at home, visiting Christmas markets, and diving into a new book 📚
2. What were some of the hardest parts this year?
- One of the biggest lessons this year came in February/March, when I faced a bit of a financial pickle. Those days were harsh — I challenged myself to use as little as possible, and honestly, it was tough. But looking back, I’m proud of how I handled it. I got creative with budgeting:
- Tried apps like Too Good To Go for affordable meals 🍱
- Cooked at home and created new recipes 👩🍳
- Walked more instead of commuting 🏃
- Cut back on eating out and focused on the essentials 🌱
- It wasn’t easy, but it taught me resilience and gratitude. Sometimes the most challenging seasons show us what we’re capable of. 💪
- Navigating relationship challenges. I realised my partner and I have different ways of supporting each other. This led to some intense arguments that required us to work on communication and understanding.
- Facing a life-changing family event. Accepting this surprise took time, but it’s been a journey of growth, reflection, and gratitude.
3. What did you learn about yourself this year?
- I’m stronger than I thought. Life’s challenges have pushed me to grow and become more grounded.
- I’ve discovered I’m more introspective than social. Taking time for myself has been fulfilling, and I’ve appreciated forming deeper connections with a few close friends.
- Journaling has been a game-changer for understanding myself and improving communication with my partner.
4. What are you going to stop doing next year?
- Stop procrastinating and start using Mel Robbins’ 5–4–3–2–1 technique. Completing tasks instead of delaying them will help me feel proud and accomplished.
5. What are you going to start doing next year?
- Exercise daily and track progress to maintain a healthy and energetic body.
- Adopt the “Let Them” mindset: stop being a Prisoner Of Other People’s Opinions (POOPO! — haha I made this one up.) and focus on decisions that make me proud.
- Build confidence by embracing my charisma and sharing it with others.
6. What are you going to continue doing next year?
- Be consistent in my personal growth while embracing my uniqueness.
- Keep journaling, read more, and cooking new recipes.
- Work out regularly.
- Save money and stick to my to-do lists for better organisation.
7. What can you do today to take the first step?
- Start with a small action: write down a list of goals for the upcoming week and commit to crossing off one task daily!
As I wrap up this year of 2024, I’m filled with gratitude for the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Meeting new friends, keeping close ones, cherishing family moments, having new family moments of my own, career mindset upgrades, everything.
2024 was a year of balance — finding harmony between social life and self-love, personal growth and work, and stepping into the responsibilities of living independently. From the seemingly trivial tasks of cleaning and cooking to navigating deeper challenges, it’s been a year of learning and adapting. Each moment — sometimes just pure joy, but also some sooo challenging — have been great stepping stones in shaping who I am today. Embrace growth, cherish connections, and stay grounded in what truly matters.
Looking ahead to 2025, my word is transformation. A big change is on the horizon, and I’m ready to embrace it. This year, I aim to make the most of every moment, to act rather than procrastinate, be open to change and to grow into the best version of myself. Here’s to a year of change, growth, and boundless possibilities. 🌟