"For last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words await another voice: - T.S. Elliot

Goodbye 2024!!

This is a very different blog post than what I have done in the past, however I feel that its important to share and to be transparent on what I am doing in my life and to share a summary of 2024. 

A few weeks ago I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and I was telling hit that 2024 was the hardest year of my life. He looked at me shocked knowing my medical history and everything I have gone through. I told him this year was hard mentally and emotionally and holds nothing to the physical things I have gone through in my life. 

 January of 2024 I made the decision to sell my house after 24 years. I wanted what I thought was a fresh start and also a simpler life. I wanted to find a townhouse or condo. This would help especially with my traveling. So for the first few months of the year I downsized and decluttered. If you have never done a major move, I will tell you it is very therapeutic, but can also be emotional as you decide what goes and what you keep. 

As I was going through this process, my mom became ill. As I shared in a previous post, we lost her in June of this year. In April we took her into the hospital and over the next 6 weeks she went through rehab and was about to get released when she got sick again. Within a week she passed. 

My mom was definitely the matriarch of our family and what she says goes. Her and I have always had a close relationship. Over the years she was my largest cheering section and was there to support me in whatever I needed. Whether it was sitting by my side at a doctor's appointment or traveling 4 hours to volunteer at an event I was hosting. I was so sad that she was never able to see the new condo I was buying. She would have loved it. 

Over the next 90 days was a blur. I did what I did best and compartmentalized my feelings and grin and nodded a lot. I helped with the planning of the funeral. Five days later after the funeral i had a large event for work, that i went back to work and did with the rest of my family. Then over the next 20 days I had to pack everything else up or throw it out because I had to close on my new condo on July 2nd. 

Moved in July, had major events at work in August and September, I knew I was struggling, but didn't know how to fix it. So I just kept moving forward. In August I met someone who gave me permission to grieve. The problem was I didn't know if I wanted to, buy I had to. Over the last couple months i have slowly gotten back on track to where I want to be and the changes I want to make in my life. 

I am sharing all of this for context and accountability Here are things that i am looking towards in 2025:

Family and friends - If 2024 has taught me one thing, life is too short. I wouldn't have gotten through this year with my friends and family. I want to spend time with friends and family and experience that time. Lately I have been reading a lot about being present when you need to be & I think that is one of my big things this year is to be present. 

Health - Over the last 6 months or so I have put weight back on, as much as I hate to admit it. I am working on building myself up to my own routine to have a better lifestyle and a healthier one. 

Life goals - I want to focus more time on writing and burning. I want to do so many things through this process that I continuously put on the back burner that I am too busy. That has to change today. So for sure more monthly blogs and some changes coming after the first of the year. 

Faith - Throughout my life Faith has played a major part in who I am. Over the last few months I have been looking into options on how to explore this more and to be able to lean more into my faith.

I share this not as new years resolutions. I share this as my plans for the new year. The availability to turn the page on this past year and start a new chapter with this one. I want to wish you all Happy New Year a great start to 2025