Dear readers, I am writing this post on the last day of 2024 to reflect back on the year and to welcome the new year 2025. Life has been busy as usual, as you may have judged by the fewer blog posts I have written this past year. I do hope to pursue this interest of writing and continue blogging coming year too. So read on about some reflections, some hopes, some anticipations and lots of gratitude as I end this year.
Background
To quickly recap, I started this blog in January of 2020 with no idea that it will turn out to be the year of the pandemic and how the next couple years will shape out! March 2020 is when I was home from work, a blessing in disguise, as I got time to write more and give a great head start to my blogging passion. Within 6 months, in June 2020, I won recognition by Feedspot panelist as one of the Top 200 Lifestyle Blogs on the web! This is the most comprehensive list of Top 200 Lifestyle Blogs on the internet and I was honored to be part of this! Please check the link ( I am #42). You can read this blog post for more information where I also reflected on our 18 years of marriage through learnings and growth. Fast forward to next year, summer 2021, when my older one graduated from high school and started college. This month, December 2024, she graduated from her university, 6 months early with an honors degree! How time flies… In 2022 in addition to motivational posts, which is my niche, I wrote 5 travel posts including our San Francisco/Yosemite trip, 2 Canada trips (summer and winter 2022) as well as our Italy trip to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary along with my older one’s 19th birthday. That was also the year I changed my work role, changing campuses although still working with the largest school district in Texas. In 2023 my writings became less frequent due to the work and home schedule. We continued our yearly travel in summer and visited India to meet extended family as well as traveled to Pittsburgh for the Taylor Swift concert. You can read about it here. This year in 2024, I have transitioned to another role in my career and my younger one has started as a senior in high school. She is done with her college applications at this time and we will know in few months where she will land up. Excited for her but not looking forward to being an empty nester, lol:)
Reflections
As promised, I will dedicate this last post of 2024 to my learnings and reflections from the year, so here they are-
- Do your best but do not expect things to change overnight (or in weeks or even months)
This is my learning from my career growth as well as personal experience being a mom of 2. We always have to put our best efforts, but expectations kill the motivation and joy of the work. So stay focused, work hard and know that things will come at their own time when it is the right time
2. Self care is important
I know most of us, if not all of us, know this. But knowing something and doing something are two totally different things. Pause in the moment and do it now and here. Plan to take out 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 post from COVID times or you can look at all my posts under the self care category
3. Set a goal or plan or resolution for yourself
It is not only when the new year dawns that you need to set a goal. Goal setting or planning ahead or having a vision board can be done any time or day of the year! Knowing what you want and taking small steps on how to achieve them should not be daunting but motivational instead and may help you keep moving forward in life. Reflect on what works best for you that keeps you going and take baby steps to reach there. Writing down helps you focus on what you want and what your priorities are.
4. Keep your friends nearby
Humans are social animals and we can not exist in silo. Hold on to your few close friends, catch up with them as often as you can (even if it’s 1-2 times a year). Life’s little celebrations are better with your cheerleaders around you, so put some efforts in making new friends and most importantly in maintaining old friendships.
4. Make memories to cherish for lifetime
I do believe in living in the present and be in the now or the moment but making beautiful memories while doing that is priceless. It could be gatherings or traveling or celebrating big and small milestones or just a getaway weekend; whatever works for you and your family, do it!
5. Be content and happy
Make it a habit to see good in every day life. Miracles happen but only if we are mindful to look for them. No one has a perfect life- people are driven towards more money, fame, leisure, and showing off their material possessions, but be aware that in the end it is the inner satisfaction that counts. Of course money and free time helps, but try to balance what you have by enjoying with your loved ones.
6. There is no shortcut to hard work
Hard work, dedication, efforts and sincerity are key components in life for success. So do not take shortcuts in life. Do your best and other things will fall in place.
7. Attitude of gratitude
Be thankful for all that you have because we all do! Being grateful makes you a better person, literally. Let go of things, be hopeful and positive, accept things with grace and know that this too shall pass (be it joy or sorrow).
Wrap Up
To wrap up, I would like to wish everyone a very happy and prosperous new year 2025! May you all continue to bloom where you are planted, connect to everything and attach to nothing, and be at peace with yourself and the world. Dear readers, please share your thoughts and reflections as 2024 comes to an end by commenting below or send an email to nishtha@dawnandhope.com.
More motivational posts:
Spring forward with hope and positivity
