the lessons 2024 taught me
and my 2025 intentions
reading is fun.
One of my goals for 2024 was to read 80 books. Last year I read 74 books, so I didn’t think it would be too much of a push. But at some point during the year, I got on a roll. When I hit that goal in late October, I didn’t think much of it, continuing to approach reading with the mindset of, let’s see what happens.
I read 105 books this year.
I feel both sheepish and proud to type that. I guess I didn’t realize how badly I wanted to reach and surpass 100 books this year, and I am just amazed at myself for reaching that number at all - and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Libby and audiobooks (HIGHLY recommend joining Libby - it’s free, through your local library, and just the most amazing resource ever).
exercise helps my mental health.
2024 is the year that marks me getting a gym membership. After years of wanting one, but it not being financially feasible due to being in school, it felt good to finally commit. I’ve enjoyed creating a gym routine, even if I complain about going while I lace up my shoes. I think the gym membership, coupled with the fact that I have friends to go with as accountability partners, really has helped me prioritize moving my body.
Being able to see improvements in my running and sweat out of my high intensity emotions has been incredible for my mental health this year. Next year, I am excited to get into even more of a consistent routine, start training for a 5k, and get more into strength training too.
travel is important to me.
I feel like I see reels on Instagram all the time that say something along the lines of “the money will return, but this time in your twenties won’t”. For me, personally, I think there is a priviledge in being able to say that and enact it. Because it wasn’t until 2024 that I felt like I could really invest in travel because of the resources and connections available to me. (But maybe my mindset around money also changed?)
Personally, I find travel to be such a thrill. I love discovering new places, seeing new sights, and creating memories with the people I travel with. Plus the FOOD… Eating while traveling is probably my favorite thing ever. Already, I have some big trips planned for 2025 and even 2026, and it’s so fun to have these adventures to look forward to.
I, like, really love my cat.
Lady is probably the best thing to happen to me. Am I up by 5am pretty much every morning now? Yes. But I also have a cuddle buddy and constant companion. She’s only lived with us for about 3 months now, but it feels like she’s been part of our lives forever. It’s been an adjustment to get into a routine, find a pet sitter (shout out to our friend Mary for always being willing to cat sit), and figure out how to read her body language (my hands were constantly scratched up for at least the first month of getting to know her).
But I am obsessed with her. And I think she might be obsessed with me - she follows me around the apartment, begs for pets, and always wants to settle into my lap when I’m watching TV - or need to get something productive done.
I’ve wanted to be a pet owner for a very long time, and I am just so grateful that things worked with the way they did.
I feel like I am where I wanted to be 5 years ago.
There was a time where I was sitting in a dark apartment, watching the cars blur by because I was crying so hard. I just felt so lonely. The constant stress of graduate school was starting to take its toll, I yearned for close friends who didn’t require me to make the first move, and I craved the confidence to leave my apartment on my own terms - not just for school or work, but for something fun.
I think 2024 is the year that all the hard work I’ve done for myself came to a head. The actions I started taking over the past few years (such as starting anxiety medication, going to therapy, accidentally girl bossing my social anxiety, processing the actions of my toxic ex, grapple with the idea of Home, and discovering fulfillment within my job) were getting to a point where I was starting to see the positive effects in 2024. One thing led to another and I’m not only able bounce back quicker because of the resources available to me, but I am starting to accept that my feelings are valid, I am not perfect, and it’s okay to just be a little upset sometimes.
Much of this is due to the network of support I have available to me. I’m in a committed relationship with a partner who truly gets me. I have long distance friends that I love to catch up with over Snapchat videos and lengthy phone calls. And we live close by to a few friends - something I didn’t realize would be so important to me. The simple fact of being able to hang out at a coffee shop, play D&D, hit the gym together, and just be part of each other’s lives consistently brings me such joy.
2025… full of hope, full of other things too
One of the things I love the most about the start of a new year is the chance to start fresh. This is a time for reflection and creating new intentions for the next 12 months (or longer).
Some things I would like to be more intentional with this year includes:
Sticking to a budget.
Continuing to hit the gym, eat more protein, and meal prep healthy meals each week.
Decide what’s next for me in my career.
Create and follow better routines to keep my physical and mental spaces clean.
Have at least one fun activity to look forward to each month.
Read more physical books.
While there’s more on my list, I think the main thing I am aiming for this year is to be present in life. Lately I tend to get caught up in doing what’s on my task list and feeling stressed when not everything gets done. So I want to be less focused on all the things I can get done and be more intentional with slowing down.
what did 2024 teach you?
What will you be leaving in 2024 and what will be coming with you in 2025? Let me know.
Unit next time,
Love this! I learned a lot about how much exercise helps my mental health this year, too- and I feel so motivated to prioritize being active and eating well heading into 2025!