2024 went by so fast! It was a hard year with a lot of lessons, a lot of really big changes, and a lot of joy. December of 2023, I said I wanted to make 2024 the year of me. I was going to focus on my needs and learning who I am and unlearning who I’ve been told I am. I just wanted to find the girl who was put in a box and let her out. Here’s a little recap of my 2024 Year of Me!
- I decentered men from my life. In the past, my life was lived with a man at the center. His needs and wants came before my needs or even my kids’ needs. I wanted to spend a year not just “not looking” for a partner, but actively focusing on myself and calming my nervous system. Anyone who has been in a toxic realtionship understands the addiction to the emotional roller coaster. The constant flucuation from high highs to low lows is an actual chemical addiction that keeps you in toxicity. I decided to spend a year trying to bring down my cortisol levels and getting my dopamine and happiness from something other than a man. I forced myself for the first few months to be bored, so that my body could adjust to normal levels. If I ever decide I want to find a partner, I want that fight or flight response to be my warning sign, not my comfort zone!
- I took an amazing two week trip with my youngest! We went to San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, drove up the coast to Redwood National Park, and then over to Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. It was during this trip that I learned how much nature heals. It was truly an eye-opening experience into the peace and calming that nature brings. God didn’t just create a beautiful world for us to look at, He created a beautiful world that brings us joy just by being in it! I have never been more amazed by God or felt closer to Him than during this trip.
- I endured a Hurricane. We were hit really hard by Hurrciane Helene. That night, while it was raging for hours, was probably one of the scariest nights of my life. I could see the outline of the huge pines behind my house swirling in circles. I could see them disappear as they fell. My son and I sat in our house praying that none would fall on the house, and thankfully none did. We had no power, no wifi, and very limited cell service. But we stepped up! We found a generator, we had lots of candles, and we found a lot of joy during this time. Neighbors came together to help those in need, kids were outside playing until dark instead of inside on video games, and the stars were so beautiful and we could see the Milky Way!
- I sold my house and bought a much smaller townhome that requires much less maintenance. I miss the good memories from that house, but I didn’t realize how much the bad memories still weighed on me until I got out. This new place is all mine to create how I want and what I want!
- I started a new job and I really love it! I’m still at the same place, but a different department and no working weekends. I love my coworkers and my boss, it’s just been such a good move for me!
- I spent my 51st birthday on a cruise with friends. It was the final month of the year of me, and the perfect way to go out.
There were other trips and adventures and many more lessons. I’m sure there will be even more trips and lessons in 2025. We either choose to grow or we stagnate and emotionally die. So, here’s to 2025- the year FOR me! This year is about applying what I’ve learned about myself. I’m resiliant, I’m a positive thinker, I’m strong, and I’m learning that it’s ok to be a little selfish. I spent way too many years believing the opposite!
Finding The Good 