2024: The Year That Shifted My Perspective on Life
At the start of January 2024, I remember sitting down to write my goals and manifestations for the year. I jotted them down in the Notes app on my phone, thinking it would be easy to revisit them anytime, anywhere. I had big hopes for the year ahead, like we all do, right? I wanted 2024 to be better than the year before. After all, who doesn’t want the next year to be a fresh start, especially after a tough one?
For me, 2024 had to be different. 2023 was a year marked by loss—I lost one of my best friends in June. It was a life-altering tragedy, and it left me grappling with grief in ways I hadn’t anticipated. So when the calendar turned, I thought 2024 would be the year of healing, growth, and, above all, a reprieve from the pain.
But grief had its own plans, and so did my anxiety. What I thought would be a smooth road to recovery turned into something much more complicated. 2024 turned out to be a year that tested me in ways I wasn’t prepared for—and, at times, I felt like I was fighting an uphill battle.
When I first reflected on the year, my instinct was to say, "What a terrible year." But as I’ve spent more time thinking about it, I’ve realized that while it was incredibly tough, it was also a year full of growth, connection, and deep inner healing. I learned more than I ever thought I would—about myself, about life, about relationships, about what truly matters. The list goes on.
In the end, 2024 was like the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. It wasn’t the year I expected, but it was the year I needed.
As I look back on those early January notes, I’m reminded of how I envisioned this year would unfold. The goals, the intentions, the ‘bucket list’ items I wrote down were full of hope and certainty. But life, as it often does, had other plans. So, let’s take a look at what I hoped to achieve—and how the journey actually turned out…
✨ 2024 Goals and Manifestations 🌟
Earn at least 80K this year (6-digit ideal!!) 🤑
In addition, do more college essay editing (try to get word out there about me hehe)
INVEST 💰
Book something actually professional (national commercial, short film, etc)—just something amazing 🥲
At least one super fun vacation with a friend or more friends
well at least I have Costa Rica in the books
so ideally, another one as well!
Go to a national park I haven’t been to yet (this can be that other trip, too, depending where!)
Get a lead in a musical (or play, but ideally a musical) with a local Bay Area theater group—> I’ve been working hard w/Ms. Mena
hope there will be a really good part for me that I can see myself in
When I first looked back at this about a week ago, my immediate thought was, “OMG, I FAILED!” But honestly? I didn’t. I actually checked off more than I expected.
Earn at least 80K: Sooo…perhaps I didn’t make as much as I wanted to this year…but that’s ok. I am not going to beat myself up over it. Trying to figure out my ideal career is…well, it takes time. Work definitely did not play out as I had hoped this year, and that’s ok. I keep reminding myself of this: "Things don’t always go according to plan, but they always unfold in their own perfect way."
However, I did do more college editing this year, and I absolutely LOVE it! I am so grateful for my clients, and I hope to expand this fun side hobby a lot more in 2025. And I’m excited to share that I’ve actually started investing! Yay! Big thanks to my amazing brother for all his help and support.Book something professional: I actually did book something professional through my agency! No, it wasn’t a film. No, I wasn’t a lead or anything. I was literally just a background part; BUT, I was a rock climber! I literally booked it because I am a rock climber; so you know what? That is pretty COOL! And that 12-hour day on set was honestly SO MUCH FUN! I mean, I was in a rock climbing gym all day and it was quite amazing. So even though I didn’t book a short or feature film, or even a commercial that would air on national television, I still booked something. It was a super fun experience and I learned a lot about being on a professional set! 🤩
Super fun vacation with friends: So yes, Costa Rica was awesome! It was for my best friend’s wedding! I am happy to say that I did go on another lil trip. I went to Lake Tahoe with some friends. And that weekend getaway was so much fun! I know I was hoping for a lil bigger trip, like an out-of-state trip, but you know what? Local trips can be just as amazing, especially with wonderful friends. Lake Tahoe was absolutely beautiful in the summertime. We biked, swam in the (freezing) cold lake, played lots of pickle-ball, laughed all night long, and guess what? I finally Jet-Skied! OMG! I’ve been wanting to Jet-Ski for so long, and I did it! That was such an amazing experience on the water. 😎
Go to a national park: I know I was thinking of a national park here in the States. But you know what’s even cooler? A national park in another country! My friend’s wedding venue was literally in a national park! It was Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja, and it was absolutely gorgeous! I did zip-lining and horse back riding and the best river tubing excursion with all of my friends….SO SO FUN! So yes, that box was checked! 😅
Get a lead in a musical: This was one of the most special—and meaningful—parts of the year for me. Did I get a lead in a musical? Nope. But this experience helped me reflect on: “Everything unfolds exactly as it should” and “The right opportunities come at the right time.” Not only did I land a spot in my first professional community theater group, but I also received a supporting role. It was the perfect fit for me at this moment in time. Read all about my absolutely amazing experience returning to the stage in my blog post here. 💝
So hmmm, how about that? Even if not everything happened exactly as I’d hoped or imagined, amazing things did happen!
So here’s a quick rundown highlighting the fun and fulfilling parts of 2024:
Colorado Ski Trip with my sister and Colorado cousins
Weekend camping trip with friends
Costa Rica with my friends and parents for my best friend’s wedding
Lake Tahoe weekend getaway with my friends
Some fun outdoor climbing day trips
My first professional booking—I got to literally ‘play’ myself, a rock climber!
Fiddler on the Roof! My first professional show!
Daily nature walks with my sister and doggie (let’s not forget the simple things) 😌
My best friend from college came to visit, and it was her first time in California!!
Over the past year, I’ve gradually developed a deeper understanding of holistic wellness and mindfulness, and I’m committed to making even greater progress in 2025. Some of the areas I’ll prioritize include:
Budgeting. I learned a lot about finances this year. #Adulting can be really hard! 🙉 But, everything is a process. We live and we learn, right? From tracking spending to setting small, manageable savings goals, I’ve realized how important it is to be more intentional with my money. While there’s still a lot to figure out, I’m focused on staying organized and creating a financial plan that works for me—both for today and for my future.
Self-compassion. If there’s one key thing grief has taught me, it’s this: the importance of treating myself with kindness, especially when life feels heavy. It's easy to be hard on ourselves when things aren’t going as planned, but I’ve learned that I don’t need to have all the answers, and it’s okay to not be okay sometimes. Showing myself compassion, instead of judgment, has been such a powerful shift. In 2025, I’m prioritizing moments of self-reflection and learning to truly embrace my imperfections with grace.
Career growth. I am still figuring out how to merge my creative pursuits with a steady career path. Work-life balance is something that is SO important to me. This coming year, I’m leaning into the idea that growth isn’t linear, and sometimes the path to where you want to be requires patience and a willingness to pivot. I’m also exploring new ways to build skills that align with my passions, so I can feel more fulfilled in my work, whatever direction it may take.
Building stronger relationships. I’ve been a lot more conscientious about reaching out to friends and family this year, realizing that meaningful connections don’t just happen—they require effort. Grief has also taught me just how fleeting life can be. You never know when someone might no longer be with us, so I’ve learned to treasure the time we do have together. Whether it’s sending a random “thinking of you” text, making a spontaneous call, or planning regular catch-ups, I want to be present for the people I love and show them that they matter. In 2025, I’ll keep nurturing these relationships—because when it comes down to it, love and laughter are what truly make life worth living.
2024 brought me a lot of anxiety, fear, and moments of hopelessness. There were times when I felt completely lost and disconnected, like I was walking through molasses, if you know what I mean. But even within those struggles, I was also given moments to heal, reconnect, and treasure precious time with family and friends. In the end, I think these two quotes really sum up what I learned:
What’s meant for you won’t pass you by—sometimes, it just comes in a different form.
Sometimes, the right opportunity shows up when we least expect it, in exactly the form we need.
So how did 2024 shift my perspective on life?
Mental health and self-care are EVERYTHING. I already knew this, but this year really drove home how much that truth matters. Anxiety can be incredibly debilitating, and 2024 taught me that I can’t live life to the fullest if I’m stuck in a constant state of fight-or-flight.
Everything takes time. Everything is a process. Grief is a process. Healing is a process. Relationships take time. Saving up (💰) takes time. Getting closer to your goals takes time. Rebuilding your body’s nutrition and resilience? Definitely takes time.
Say “YES” more. Seriously—be more spontaneous! If you know me, you know that I’m not the spontaneous type, but it’s something I’m working on. I’ve had friends tell me that some of the best moments of their lives happened because they said “YES” without overthinking it. So, in 2025, I’m planning to say “YES” a little more and embrace the unplanned. It’s all part of the process.
Reach out more. Stay connected. Spark up new conversations. Say ‘hi’ to new people. Call your grandparents. Write lil ‘thank you’ notes to your parents, just because. Take your sister out for something fun and spontaneous. Send a text to an old friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, just to check in. Surprise someone with a lil care package, just because you were thinking of them. Be the one to initiate plans with your friends instead of waiting for them to reach out. Share a random memory with someone you care about, even if it’s a little silly. Show up for the people in your life—sometimes it’s the smallest gestures that mean the most. You get the vibe! 🌟
2024 was a year of contrasts—full of challenges that often felt overwhelming, but also moments of growth and clarity that made the struggle worth it. I’ve learned that even in the toughest times, there are lessons to be found, and sometimes, you have to look a little harder to see the beauty in the process. It wasn’t always easy to find the highs, but when I did, they reminded me of what I’m capable of and what truly matters. As I move into 2025, I’m carrying forward the lessons of patience, spontaneity, connection, and the importance of nurturing my mental health. This year has taught me that while life may never be perfect, it’s the little moments and the effort we put into showing up for ourselves and others that truly make it meaningful. ✨
