reflections
hello 2024 - the year of consistency and growth
How many times have you sat down to make goals, only to beat yourself up on what you haven’t accomplished?
Instead of 1x a week or 50 books a year type goals, I spent ample time this year reflecting on 2023 and making more general mindset goals for 2024. Although speaking of numeric goals, I have shared 12 months of Substack with you!
I found a cozy outdoor space overlooking palm trees where my brain felt a bit airy, unrestrictive. I began to write without judgment, just what comes to mind. I started by jotting down the general: Life. I boxed this word. Below, I wrote Big Picture. Under that, I wrote a few examples of past-tense phrases, as if it were the end of 2024 and I was reflecting on beginning of 2024-me.
Here’s what I scribbled:
I spent time traveling untethered, being in the present, exploring and saying yes to adventure with my husband while also working full-time remotely.
We decided on a place to live and moved into a rental.
Then, I highlighted important words and rewrote the importance behind the goal in one, succinct sentence.
I was present when traveling, balancing adventure and work; we moved into a rental.
I completed this exercise for another important topic in my life, Health.
I continued recovering from my hip injury and stayed consistent with PT daily. I stayed on top of my MRIs and doctors appointments. (2025 - hiking/sports?)
I generally chose healthier options for food and cooked when it made sense (at rental, I’ll cook more).
I learned more one-pot simple meals to eat healthier when traveling.
Again, I highlighted words and rewrote the sentiment in a concise sentence, utilizing those important words.
I recovered by remaining consistent and chose healthier options.
I repeated this for Career.
I gracefully entered my promotion and showcased my work with data.
I completed a UX/UI course, leveraged LinkedIn, looked for professional growth opportunities, and networked.
I got a promotion, leveraged LinkedIn, and looked for professional growth opportunities.
And for Love.
I appreciated and valued my husband for his strengths.
I recognized when I needed me-time and went for a walk/called a friend or family.
We continued acting as a team.
I communicated my needs and feelings proactively.
I continued acts of service like planning an activity.
I appreciated and valued my husband’s strengths, communicated openly, and recognized when I needed me-time.
And Connection.
I continued texting/calling friends/family (especially when walking outside)
I continued thinking of others in thoughtful ways (a handwritten card, check-in)
I spent more time phoneless in nature, connecting to the surroundings.
I spent time connecting with physical books and a cup of tea.
I thought of friends and family in meaningful ways and connected to the world more phoneless.
And last, but definitely not least, Mind.
I continued going to tele-therapy weekly.
I gave myself outdoor time every day.
I exercised which positively affected my mind.
I had courage to change my mind which avoided spirals/made me recognize the positives of the situation.
I consistently went to therapy, outside, and had the courage to change my mind.
I believe in openness because it allows people in. We’re sharing who we truly are without hiding and that enables stronger human connection - one of my focuses.
As I reflect on my goals, I am proud to have made it to a point in my life where I am continuing most ideas and actions, with more mindfulness toward what matters to me.
In the past, I’ve tried the “exercise 3x a week,” “run a half-marathon,” “read x number of books” style of resolutions (and I do recognize these goals work for some people!). Another year or even month, these types of goals may work for me too - the finite expectation of hard work paid off. It feels good, like an accomplishment, ticked off.
Maintaining a streak can be motivating to meet certain goals. For example, I am currently on day 23 in a row of Peloton app exercises; however the mere 365 day streak is not my 2024 goal under the “Health” bucket. My goal instead is “I recovered by remaining consistent and chose healthier options.” Consistency is key here. And consistency looks different for everyone. Is keeping this streak helpful for my broader vision? Yes! If I miss a day or a week, am I doomed? No. The sense of consistency is that I will refocus and realign toward my general vision. It’s the feeling that when looking back, you recognize you have worked toward the life you want while experiencing some slow moments, some setbacks, some accelerated growth, etc. That’s being human.
Something I am working on this year is continuing and building upon a lifestyle that works for me. This lifestyle I’m creating is a series of many decisions which are not necessarily linear.
For example, my hip recovery is long-term project and will lead to strength once I’ve reached my body’s status-quo, or baseline. I’ll feel good by making decisions that are working for my body. This also goes for eating healthier. I’m not working toward a specific weight or percentage. I’m working toward feeling good. This mentality aligns with how I’m approaching connection, love, mind, etc.
2024 will be a great year as I get to continue what I’ve built in 2023. Last year, I got married, moved out of our New York apartment, set boundaries, went on our honeymoon, gotten through health hurdles, and begun our nomad adventures in Los Angeles > many more cities and states… Through this, I’ve had the opportunity to see more of the world and learn more about myself.
Our two words this year are consistency and growth. At first, these words may seem contradictory but they actually go hand in hand. My husband and I thought of these words on our own at the same time based on conversations we’ve had about reflecting and thinking forward to the new year. They just seem to make sense for our 2024.
My husband and I had a wonderful, thought-provoking dinner in Miami beach as we reflected at the end of 2023. With sand between our toes and cocktails in hand, I led us through a conversation you may want to take with you.
I stated one of the buckets I reflected on earlier, such as Life, Health, Career, Love, Connection, and Mind. We took turns describing our own reflections and hopes and then worked together to look back and forward on each as a couple, a team. By the end, we were certain of each other’s goals to be able to support individually, while also recognizing the overlaps in support of a common dream.
With all this said, I’ll always remember 2023 and I am so excited to see what 2024 brings.
xoxo.
