Dear readers, I am writing this article on the last day of 2024 to reflect on the year and welcome the new 2025. A little year. I do hope to continue pursuing my interest in writing and continue blogging over the next year. So read on with some reflections, some hopes, some expectations, and lots of gratitude as I close out this year.
background
As a quick recap, I started writing this blog in January 2020 with no idea that this would be the year of the pandemic or how the next few years would unfold! In March 2020, I got home from get off work and it was a blessing in disguise because I had time to write more articles and get my blogging passion off to a good start. Within 6 months of June 2020, I was recognized as a Feedspot Team Member Top 200 Lifestyle Blogs On the Internet! This is the most comprehensive list Top 200 Lifestyle Blogs Online, I'm honored to be a part of it! Please check the link (I am #42). you can read this Blog post for more information, in which I also reflect on our Married for 18 years Through learning and growing. Fast forward to next year, the summer of 2021, when my oldest son graduates high school and starts college. This month, December 2024, she graduated from college with an honorary degree 6 months early! Time flies… In 2022, in addition to inspirational posts (which is my niche), I wrote 5 travel posts including our trip to San Francisco/Yosemite, 2 trips to Canada (summer and winter 2022) as well as the anniversary of our trip to Italy to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary and my brother's 19th birthday. That year, I changed job roles and campuses, but still worked for the largest school district in Texas. In 2023, due to work and family arrangements, my writing frequency became less frequent. We continued our annual trip in the summer, visiting India to meet extended family and traveling to Pittsburgh to attend Taylor Swift Concert. You can read about it here. In 2024, I transition into another role in my career while my brother starts as a senior in high school. She has now completed her college applications and in a few months we will find out where she will be. Excited for her, but not looking forward to being an empty nester, haha:)
Reflection
As promised, I will dedicate my final posts of 2024 to my year of learning and reflection, so here they are –
- Do your best, but don’t expect things to change overnight (or weeks or even months)
This is something I’ve learned from my professional development and my personal experience as a mom of two. So stay focused, work hard, and know that things will come in due time.
2. Self-care is important
I know most if not all of us know this. But knowing something and doing something are two completely different things. Pause and do it here now. Plan to take time for yourself regularly. Remember, you can only do your best when you feel your best. You can read some self-care ideas in this article postal From the covid era or you can check out all my posts under self-care categories
3. Set goals, plans or resolutions for yourself
It’s not just when a new year comes that you need to set goals. Goal setting or planning ahead or having a vision board can be done at any time or day of the year! Knowing what you want and taking small steps to achieve them shouldn't be daunting, but motivating, and can help you move forward in life. Think about what works best for you so you can move forward and achieve your goals step by step. Writing it down can help you focus on what you want and what your priorities are.
4. Keep your friends nearby
Humans are social animals and we cannot exist in silos. Stay in touch with a few of your close friends and check in with them as often as possible (even if it's 1-2 times a year). Life's little celebrations are better when you have a cheerleading team by your side, so make an effort to make new friends and most importantly maintain old friendships.
4. Make memories that will last a lifetime
I do believe in living in the moment and living in the moment, but making great memories while doing so is priceless. It could be a party, a trip, celebrating milestones big or small, or just a weekend getaway; whatever works for you and your family, do it!
5. Be content and happy
Make it a habit to see the good things in your daily life. Miracles will happen, but only if we look hard for them. No one has a perfect life – people are driven to pursue more money, fame, leisure, and show off their material possessions, but realize that ultimately what matters most is inner contentment. Of course, money and free time help, but try to balance what you have by enjoying it with your loved ones.
6. There is no shortcut to hard work
Diligence, dedication, hard work and sincerity are the key ingredients for success in life. So, don’t take shortcuts in life. Do your best and everything else will fall into place.
7. An attitude of gratitude
Thank you for everything you do because we all do! Gratitude literally makes you a better person. Let things go, be hopeful and positive, accept things with grace, and know that this too shall pass (whether happy or sad).
wrap up
Finally, I wish you all a happy New Year and all the best in 2025! May you all continue to bloom where you are planted, connected to everything, not attached to anything, and at peace with yourselves and the world. Dear readers, as 2024 comes to an end, please share your thoughts and reflections by commenting below or emailing nishtha@dawnandhope.com.
More inspirational posts:
Move forward with hope and positivity
