Dear readers, I am writing this post on the last day of 2024 to reminisce about the New Year 2025 and welcome the New Year 2025. Life has been busy as usual as you may have decided with the fewer blog posts I wrote last year. I hope to continue this writing passion and blog in the coming year. So read on with some reflections, some hopes, some expectations, and a lot of gratitude as I wrap up this year.
Background
To quickly recap, I started this blog in January 2020, which would turn out to be the year of the pandemic and had no idea how the next two years would shape up! March 2020 I was home from work, a blessing in disguise, I had time to write a lot and give my blogging passion a great start. Within 6 months, in June 2020, I was certified as a Feedspot Panelist Top 200 Lifestyle Blogs On the web! This is a very comprehensive list Top 200 Lifestyle Blogs On the internet and I’m proud to be a part of it! Check the link (I #42). You can read This is For more info blog post where I reflected on ours Married for 18 years Through learning and growth. Fast forward to summer 2021, the year after my oldest graduated 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, I wrote 5 travel posts including my main destination, our San Francisco/Yosemite trip, 2 Canada trips (summer and winter 2022) as well as our trip to Italy to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary with my 19th birthday. That was the year I changed my job role, working with the largest school district in Texas. In 2023 my writing was limited due to work and home schedule. We continued our annual trip over the summer and went to India to visit extended family, as well as Pittsburgh. Taylor Swift concert. You can read about it Here. This year in 2024, I have transitioned into another role in my life and my youngest is starting high school as a senior. At this point she’s done with her college applications and will know in a few months where she’ll land. Excited for her though, not looking forward to an empty nest lol 🙂
Reflections
As promised, I will dedicate this last post of 2024 to my learnings and reflections, so here they are-
- Do your best but don’t expect things to change overnight (or weeks or months).
This is something I have learned from my professional development and personal experience as a mother of 2. We should always try our best, but expectations destroy the motivation and joy of work. So stay focused, work hard and know that things will come in their own time at 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 completely different things. Pause at this moment and do it here and now. Plan to make time for yourself regularly. Remember that you can only do your best when you feel good. Here are some self-care tips Position You can see all my posts from covid era or below Self defense type
3. Set a goal or plan or resolution for yourself
A goal should be set only when the new year is born. Goal setting or planning 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 shouldn’t be intimidating, but rather encouraging and can help you move forward in life. Think about what works best for you, what gets you going and take baby steps to get there. Writing helps you focus on what you want and what your priorities are.
4. Keep your friends close
Humans are social animals and we cannot exist in silos. Grab some of your closest friends and grab 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 make some effort to make new friends and more importantly maintain old friendships.
4. Make memories to cherish for a lifetime
I believe in living in the present, being in the now or the moment, but creating beautiful memories while doing so is priceless. It could be meetings or traveling or celebrating big and small milestones or a holiday weekend; Do whatever works for you and your family!
5. Be content and happy
Make it a habit to see the good in everyday life. Miracles happen but only if we are careful to look for them. No one has a perfect life – people are driven to have more money, fame, leisure and show off their material possessions, but know that in the end it’s inner satisfaction that counts. 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
Hard work, dedication, effort and honesty are the key ingredients for success in life. So don’t take shortcuts in life. Do your best and other things will fall into place.
7. Gratitude
Be grateful for all you have because we all do! Being grateful makes you a better person. Let things go, be hopeful and positive, accept things with grace and know that this too shall pass (be it joy or sorrow).
Wrap up
To conclude, I would like to wish everyone a very happy and prosperous New Year in 2025! May you all continue to bloom where you were planted, connect with all, connect with nothing, and be at peace with yourself and the world. Dear readers, as the year 2024 comes to an end, share your thoughts and reflections by commenting below or emailing nishtha@dawnandhope.com.
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