Goodbye 2024, Hello 2025

As i write this, i am cozy on my parents comfy couch in their living room, looking up at the Christmas tree. A few weeks ago i was in the thick of the holiday rush. Hoping all my gifts would be delivered on time, and that there would be no flight delays as i would be traveling from California to New York City. Now on the eve of a new year, all the hustle has ceased and i can finally exhale, 2024 is almost over.

Like everyone else on social media, especially Instagram, i posted my 2024 highlight reels. Even though its just another trend that we all participate in, as i combed through my pictures throughout this year, i realized i forgot more than half of what i accomplished, places i visited, and changes i made over the year. I can't say its a good thing to forget so much of what happened over a year, especially with the existence of social media. But sadly, it is apparent that 2024 was another non-stop year, where i did not stop to soak it all in, or practiced much self-awareness.

If i am being honest, 2024 looked alot like 2023, which looked similar to 2022. I have goals still up met, prayers still unanswered, and dreams still unfulfilled. While a new year invites a fresh start and the opportunity to move forward, i can't help but think that the check the box mentality that i have, the let me just push through to the next thing, is'nt helping me thrive mentally and physically. Instead, i've been on a constant loop of burnout and lingering depression. Maybe like me, you feel stuck, and are desperate for a refresh.

Despite the aforementioned revelation, i am thankful that i made it through an entire year, that God blessed my family with life and strength to push past life's difficulties. But as i read this morning in the bible, Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue", and much of what we do or don't experience is partly due to our own belief system about ourselves and circumstances, and overall view of life. I can not say that i spoke life into my daily life and circumstances, i leaned hard into despair and dread.

Beyond a new year approaching, my hope is that we all can speak life into our everyday existence beyond the high hopes of January 1st. Maybe the time is now, to speak life, to thrive, to rest when we need to, and take the utmost care of our mental and physical health. It is not enough to just make it through a year, there are billions of people who make it through a year, but many do so with very limited progress, self-awareness, joy, peace, and happiness.

As you walk into 2025, into the unknown path ahead. I hope that you do so with as much joy and happiness as you can muster, with big dreams and positive expectations, and a lofty sense of confidence in who you are.

Happy New Year

XoXo

Marissa