This will be my final blog post for 2024! Over the last few weeks, I’ve been journaling and started to notice some patterns in my entries. Morning journaling in particular, has provided a glimpse of my unfiltered thoughts—what’s bothering me, what’s lighting me up, and where my energy is going.
I thought I’d share a few personal reflections from this past year and some of the goals I’m working toward for the year ahead. This post will be less structured than usual—a bit of a brain dump of some of my thoughts.
At the end of this post, I’ve included a reflection activity (an annual tradition of mine) that you might enjoy.
Reflections from This Past Year (aka self-reminders)
Just because something once served us doesn’t mean it always will. It’s okay to change your mind. We make decisions based on the information we have at the time, who we are and what we want in that moment. Life is dynamic, and as we gain new information, our choices may shift—and that’s okay.
It’s okay to feel angry when you’re in pain. It’s okay to feel angry when someone hurts you or doesn’t show up for you. It’s okay to feel angry about the state of the world. Anger is a normal nervous system response; it’s part of being alive. You don’t need to justify your emotions to anyone, but processing them is essential for reducing your suffering and creating space for joy.
Learning to self-regulate is invaluable, but it’s important to remember that our nervous systems develop through attachments and are profoundly shaped by relationships. We are wired for co-regulation—it’s vital for both individual and communal well-being. Relational safety can only be achieved within relationships themselves.
The way we narrate our story shifts with our nervous system state. When we’re dysregulated, the survival brain steps in to protect us. Don’t ruminate over every thought during these moments; instead, focus on regulating your nervous system and reassess the story afterward. Our nervous system stores past experiences as implicit memories which inform our beliefs and predict future experiences. While the past may feel all-encompassing at times, it doesn’t need to define the future.
How we talk about pain (or any sensation), shapes how we perceive it and ultimately, how we see ourselves. Again, don't believe every thought that crosses your mind.
We all know you can’t take anything with you when you die, but it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day fixation on things—or the lack of them. When our number is called, what will likely matter to most people is how they lived their lives and the people they shared it with.
Physical, emotional, and spiritual health are deeply intertwined with the health of our environment. Rising temperatures, urbanization, increased flooding, and other climatic events contribute to the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses and other environment-induced health challenges. Recognizing these connections underscores the importance of chronic illness advocacy—not just as a health issue, but as part of the broader push for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Consuming too much news can be harmful, especially for highly sensitive individuals or those navigating mental and physical illness. Staying informed is important (now more than ever), but so is being intentional about what and when you consume. It’s okay to step away when needed, to rest, and to return when you’re ready to re-engage.
Find an entrepreneurial path that aligns with your business goals, interests, and personality, rather than getting caught up in what others say is the best way to market or run a business. Stay open to learning, but trust your intuition and what feels right for you. If you truly hate doing something and it's not essential for your business's operation, don't do it.
Looking ahead to 2025
I'm still refining my professional goals for 2025, but I wanted to share a few personal and wellness intentions, along with the gentle approach I plan to take to achieve them:
Consistent Strength Training:
I've dealt with chronic pain (and scoliosis) since childhood, which led me to believe that strength training, especially weight lifting, would only exacerbate the pain. However, I know that strength training offers significant benefits for managing chronic pain. Regularly doing my physio exercises helps with my back arthritis, so I’m ready to build on that foundation.
I’m committed to working within my physical limitations to create a sustainable routine. I plan to start by going to the gym once a week, using low weights and fewer repetitions to gradually build strength. If I can’t make it to the gym or want to include more activity during the week, I’ll use resistance bands for at-home workouts. Strength training can even be incorporated into daily housework, like adding squats, lunges, or lifts while carrying items, cleaning, or organizing.
Read More (for Pleasure):
This past year, I’ve been diving deep into personal and professional development material. While I’ve enjoyed learning, my brain is starting to feel tired and I've had difficulty "shutting off" at night. Lately, I’ve been craving reading purely for fun and enjoyment.
A friend recommended some romantasy books, so I’m going to download a few audiobooks to listen to during my daily walks or while grocery shopping. This feels like a realistic way to incorporate reading into my existing routine, and I can adjust how long I listen depending on my energy and mental capacity each day.
Find More Creative Outlets (and Play):
This past year, I dabbled in a few creative activities, including taking private salsa dance lessons (I felt shy in a group!), which was a fun way to move my body. In 2025, I’d love to say “yes” to more opportunities that spark creativity and bring a sense of play into my life.
Dancing is still on the list, and I’m excited to take a group salsa dance class (feeling braver!). I’d like to explore other styles of dance, such as Bachata or West Coast swing. I’m also considering revisiting hobbies I enjoyed in the past, such as photography and scrapbooking.
I’m committed to engaging in one creative play activity every week. To make it easier, I’ll research arts and community centers in advance for future workshops and plan my schedule around them so that I have enough spoons. I’ll also keep basic tools and supplies (like scrapbooking materials, colouring books, etc.) on hand for being creative at home.
Fun End-of-Year Reflection Activity
For the past three years, I’ve had a lovely tradition of taking an afternoon at the end of December to complete a YearCompass—a free booklet designed to help you reflect on the past year, release what you no longer want to carry, and set intentions for the year ahead. It’s been a grounding practice, and it’s always fun to look back at the previous year’s reflections as I set intentions for the new one. We often do and accomplish more than we realize, but it can easily get overshadowed by end-of-year anxieties and comparisons.
One of my favourite parts of the activity is choosing a word to symbolize and define the upcoming year. In 2023, my word was intentionality, which helped anchor me throughout the year as I faced important decisions. For 2024, I chose connection, and it did become the theme of the year—through personal growth and building new relationships, particularly as I launched my business and worked on expanding my network.
As I look ahead to 2025, I decided my word for the year will be community. I’m excited to deepen my sense of belonging, build stronger connections (particularly in person), and contribute to the communities I’m a part of, both personally and professionally.
What word would you choose to define and guide your year ahead?
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