Reflecting on 2024: The Wins, The Struggles, and What I’m Learning Along the Way
I’ll be honest—there's no one singular word that can sum up 2024. The truth is, the year's moments that stood out to me are scattered across different points, some full of happiness, some filled with uncertainty, and a handful I’m still working through. But they’ve all shaped me in ways I never expected.
Social media looooves to count the good moments, right? The wins. The trips. All of those moments that are ‘highlight-worthy.’ We tend to share the good things on social media to get us that ‘viral’ moment.
But if I’m being real with you, those moments are not the full picture. Life is a mix of everything—the highs, the lows, and all the in-between moments that often don’t get the spotlight. And we should also share the real, raw and messy too - so this is the most real and vulnerable post you’ll get for 2024.
The Messy Part of Learning to Embrace the Setbacks
I’ve had my fair share of learning moments in 2024—things that you wouldn’t typically post on Instagram because, let’s be real, they’re not polished.
But these moments—they’ve been the ones that truly shaped me. These setbacks have allowed me to say yes to my time, my boundaries, what I really want out of life, and my business.
I made a huge leap early in 2024 with the mess of changing my ‘niche.’ Although I am so proud of myself for leaning into an industry I love, I also feel like I’m stepping into the unknown, and that’s always uncomfortable. But you know what? Every pivot—every shift—has been about getting closer to what feels right. Though it sure doesn’t feel that way in the moment.
Saying no to clients and projects that didn't align with my goals felt like letting opportunities slip away. This year wasn't my best in terms of revenue; in fact, my numbers actually decreased. However, I realize now that by saying no to certain things, I was ultimately saying yes to myself—yes to my time, yes to my boundaries, yes to what would eventually lead me to where I am now.
Diving into new things to diversify my income—figuring out how to juggle new projects, trying out freelance gigs, starting side hustles, and putting myself out there without knowing if I’d get rejected—has been a journey of both terror and excitement. It’s the excitement of new beginnings, but it’s also the terrifying, vulnerable side of hoping people don’t judge me for taking risks.
I’m not the only one right?
The Wins That Matter Most
Here’s the highlight-worthy part, but what makes these wins so incredible is I made them happen. Celebrating the wins is always important, and I don’t say that lightly. There were some standout moments this year. Big moments. Moments that I will carry with me for years to come. The kind of moments you can’t forget even if you try. Hold onto these moments because we, as humans, naturally remember the good.
The trips: I’m looking back at the adventures that took me out of my comfort zone. Hiking new trails, discovering hidden gems, or just getting lost in the beauty of it all brought me so much joy.
The connections: This year, from new friendships to deepening existing ones, reminded me how important human connection, friends, and family can be. I’m going to hold onto those moments of shared laughter, honest conversations, and meaningful bonds.
The milestones: The achievements were progress markers, no matter how big or small. They’re the moments I will remember because they represent growth, hard work, and a commitment to my goals. Regardless if they were happy, sad or somewhere in between.
The Struggles That We Don’t Always Want to Talk About
My dog. My rock. My baby. My Toby.
After 13 years together, I had to say goodbye to the bestest boy, and I’ll be honest—it broke me, and I am still broken. He wasn’t just a pet; he was my foundation. I’m tearing up just trying to write this. We started this life together when I was just 20. He saved me through a very difficult time in my life. He was my comfort, my constant. And now, without him, life feels... terribly different. I’m still learning how to live without him by my side. But grief, like everything else, is messy. It doesn’t follow a neat timeline.
I am so happy that we spent 13 wonderful years together, and we will always have a special place in my heart. I love you so much, bud.
And then there's the constant comparison to the “standard” life—being in my 30s and feeling the weight of societal expectations: the 9-5 job, the family, the house, the “right way” to live. But here I am, not following that exact blueprint… at all.
And you know what? I tried to make myself fit into that version for a long time, but it just never fit.
The last year has been a slow but powerful acceptance that this life, my life, can look different. It doesn't have to look like what everyone else is doing, and I'm finally okay with that.
It hasn’t been easy. But these are the moments that have led me here. They’ve made me realize that the setbacks are just part of this wild ride. And the lessons? Well, they’re never as clear when you’re in the midst of them—but they come. Eventually, they do.
What I’ve Learned: Life Isn’t a Highlight Reel
Here’s the truth I’ve come to accept: life isn’t a collection of moments. It’s made up of the messy, the beautiful, and the real. The wins are great—but they don’t tell the whole story.
Life isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about showing up, doing your best, and being present in both the joy and the struggle.
So, yes—I’m proud of my wins. I’ll keep cherishing those memories. But I’m also proud of the moments when things didn’t go according to plan. Because those moments taught me what I’m truly capable of.
And as the year closes, I’m not pushing to hit some reset button. I’m not waiting for the “new year, new me” moment. I’m carrying everything I’ve learned, every win, every struggle, into the next chapter. Because, in reality, we don’t need a new year to start living fully.
We just need to be present.
As we step into a new year, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that we should leave behind the bad stuff and focus only on the good. But if I’m being honest—life doesn’t work like that.
It’s a mix of both, and that’s okay. The wins and the messes are what shape us. As I look back on this year, I’m proud of it all—because it’s all part of the story that makes me who I am and who I want to be.
That’s what makes this time of year so special: it’s not about making everything perfect. It’s about acknowledging that every moment and experience adds something to the bigger picture.
So, here’s to celebrating the wins, learning from the challenging moments, and embracing the whole, messy, beautiful ride that is life.
Friend, life is beautiful even through the ugly. We don’t live to create highlight moments - we live to take it all in and determine what we want to do with it. The moments I’m highlighting are not all captured on camera - these moments are in my heart and my soul. You know those moments you can remember vividly, like a screen is playing in your head?
Those moments! If you’ve read this to the last word, I greatly appreciate you. My DM’s are always open, and if something resonates I’d love to know - the good, the bad, and the ugly.
