When I said I'd be retiring from writing on my blog, I had also promised that I would pop in time to time. Remember? 

So here I am, breaking free from my self-imposed "retirement" to share my 2024 in review with you.

 ... 

At the start of 2024, our hearts were in our hands. After all, the last time we had a leap year, the world went into a tailspin. A deadly virus spread across the globe, and we feared the apocalypse was upon us. 

Thankfully, the world didn't end in a Walking Dead scenario, but we did lose millions to COVID-19. We also said goodbye to icons like Kobe Bryant and Chadwick Boseman, marking 2020 as a year of profound loss. 

So, it’s no surprise we entered 2024 on edge, bracing ourselves for what might come. 

While we were fortunate enough not to face another devastating pandemic, this year wasn’t without its own heartache. Just when we thought we might finally catch a break, two tragic air crashes occurred in the final week of December—one in South Korea and another in Azerbaijan. 

This shocking end to the year felt strangely familiar, mirroring the events in my own life. Although the year had been relatively calm, we ended it with the loss of two dear people. 

May you be at peace. May your light never dim. And may the good seeds you sowed on the earth be replicated for generations to come. 

...

 

2024 also brought its share of surprises. In what may be considered the greatest comeback of all time, Mr. Trump was re-elected by the American people to return as the President!

 

I know, I know... American politics is too much of a touchy subject to dwell on.

 

But there is one surprise I am excited to talk about: Beyonce released a COUNTRY album. (Haters, huggggg the transformer!) 😄😄

 

Well.. she called it a "Beyonce Album", whatever that means. The point is, she took a rejection experience and turned it into a celebration of her country roots. And let’s not forget her jaw-dropping NFL halftime performance, reminding us once again that Beyoncé is one of the greatest performers of our time.

 

(OK... I'll cool down on the fan-girling)

 

Of all the notable moments of 2024, one that stands out for me is hitting the big 4-0. Yay!!

If you're yet to get there, and you wonder what it feels like, it can be decribed in two words: Not caring. 

By 40, you suddenly realise that the unnecessary pressures on you, are what they are: unnecessary. You're better equipped to sift the things which matter from those that do not, and focus on the former. You've run out of patience regarding who wants to be in yor life or not, and are focused on the ones who pour into you.

Most importantly, your bullshit tolerance level should have dropped to zero (or close enough).

 

I had a whole post on 40 things I'd learned in  40 years, but I'd been enjoying myself too much in "retirement" to post it.

 

Maybe I’ll add one more lesson and make it 41 things—perhaps next year.

 

(Or maybe not 😉)

 

This year, I also experienced what I like to call Motherhood 2.0. And girrrrrl... it is not for the fainthearted!

 

Motherhood in one word can be described as WILD! (Lol). Just when you think to yourself that ok, I've totally figured this out, those tiny humans shock you right to the bones, making you question EVERYTHING you thought you knew! 😄

 

But motherhood is something I recognise to be a privilege, for which I'm grateful, and count it all as joy. I'll do it all again in a heartbeat, never looking back.

 ... 

2024 had its highs, its lows, and it's mehhs.

 

In 2024, I was reminded of the importance of loving fiercely the ones we hold dear to us, focusing on the things that matter, and not letting irrelevant happenstances occupy our heads rent free.

 

If there is one thing I can take away from 2024, it is that so long as you have life, there is hope for better things to come.

 

I’m feeling more hopeful than ever about 2025, taking each day as it comes, and believing in the dreams and aspirations I have for the year ahead. 

Here’s wishing all of us a bright and successful 2025. May your dreams take flight.

 

Love,

 

Meg.