My 2024 Year In Review

Looking back, looking ahead.

This morning, we woke up at 6am, got ready, and packed the car full of suitcases, food, sparklers, paper crowns, and glittery plates that screamed “2025!” in gold foil. We then headed north to drop the dog off at “The Ritz.” We call my mom and dad’s house “The Ritz” because Walter is spoiled and adored there. He checks in when we drop him off and checks out when we pick him up. About halfway to “The Ritz” the child I’d had my eye on (you know when you can just look at them and tell something’s brewing) began to cry. After pulling over mid-drive to avert a messy crisis and eventually playing a game of musical chairs so mom could be in proximity to help, we decided our full-family trip to visit friends a few states away wasn’t meant to be for the full-family.

It’s a few hours later, and here I sit, in my pjs, next to a napping but feverish little one who recently spiked to 103. The last few minutes of 2024 are dwindling. While I am disappointed to miss the fun with friends tonight, I do love a quiet, reflective NYE at home. And so, chicken noodle soup is simmering on the stove, we have Ginger Ale in champagne glasses at the ready, and 2025 is near.

There have been years I have been thrilled to put behind me. Years that were filled with loss, challenges, a total lack of balance and more (2013, 2017, 2020, all eyes on you). But 2024 was not that. Thankfully. Even though the path wasn’t always smooth the last twelve months, it was full of growth and mostly a lot of fun. It’s not lost on me, though, that much of the goodness of the last year was hard won, fought for on many levels. Some of it was luck. And in some ways, we began to enjoy the flowers born of seeds planted long ago, tended carefully with love and effort.

During this magical week at the end of every year, I sit down with my Simplified Planner and allow the Simplified Prep Work (found at the beginning of each) to guide a writing exercise. I’m not always able to process the jumble of things in my head until I filter them through my fingertips onto the screen. And so, here is my 2024 year in review. A heartfelt look back, a hopeful look ahead, and a tactical plan for what’s to come.