With just hours left in 2024, I wanted to take a moment to say hi and wish everyone all the best for 2025! I’m also taking a minute to look back on everything it brought, and I can happily say that 2024 was a pretty good year. And for that, I am extremely grateful.
Highlights of the Year
January
Steve and I had such a wonderful night celebrating our anniversary at The Opera Bar. Enjoying a delicious seafood platter while enjoying the view of Sydney Harbour was definitely a January highlight!
February
Cheers to my birthday month! My positive vibes-only work buddy encouraged me to treat myself all month long, and I did just that. I highly recommend it!
March
I love playing tourist in my own city with my fun friend. In March, we walked over the Harbour Bridge and explored The Rocks. Then, I started working towards my diploma but had to redo my Certificate III first—ugh! Many of our fun outings got put on hold, but we’re planning to make up for it in 2025!
Another March highlight was Easter and getting together with some of my cousin crew. Hunting for eggs before they melted in the heat was a fun challenge!
April
We visited Canberra!
May
Sam had a wonderful time with his friends when they went to Japan. They all came home sick with colds and spent the next week recovering. It was a huge deal for us to have our youngest go overseas. He’s an adventurous lad, so I’m sure this will be the first of many trips. (yikes)
May was a huge month- Steve had a knee replacement at the end of May, and his recovery has been such an achievement. Watching him regain mobility and confidence after years of limping is the highlight of 2024!
June
We bought our flights for our Cousin Connect adventure, and the planning began!
July
Christmas in July!
August
What can I say about August? It was cold, we got sick and couldn’t wait for spring!
But we did have an August highlight, and that was a surprise birthday dinner at Mr Wong’s to celebrate Steve’s birthday.
September
Hooray for spring and visits to the Ramsgate Farmers Markets!
October
My big boys turned 31 and 20-they have a huge age gap but share the same birthday month. Good planning, Mum and Dad 😉
November
November was not my favourite! I pretty much chained myself to the computer and knocked off assignment after assignment. There were tears and lots of frustrating moments. (Sorry, Miss D, and thank you for putting up with me. I couldn’t have done it without you, and I will be forever grateful xx). Having a fantastic cheer squad at work and home got me through November!
December
It was a scramble to get ready for Christmas, but we got there in the end.
Lessons Learned in 2024
- I can be brave: We’re heading overseas, and I’m getting on that plane!
- I can be determined: I finally hit submit on all my diploma assignments.
- I can’t watch the news: It gives me too much anxiety. Sadly, bad news always seems to find its way to me (and everyone else). I accidentally saw some footage, and now I can’t unsee it (sigh). I’ve learned it’s better for me to turn away and protect my peace.
- I can give myself permission: To rest and do nothing. To let go of worrying about things I can’t control. And to embrace being a big kid and having fun—because age really is just a number!
Looking Ahead
I’m excited to welcome 2025 with our upcoming trip and a nice long break from work. I’m also looking forward to continuing to share a peek into my world here. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you all stopping by to read—thank you so much!!
So, that’s a wrap for 2024! I’ll be back in the first week of February. If you’d like to follow along on our Cousin Connect Adventure, feel free to join me on Instagram: @playworkeatrepeat. I’ll follow back!
Have a wonderful New Year and I’ll see you in 2025!
Big hugs
What a fun look back at your fabulous year! You had lots of fun and accomplished so much. Wishing you all the best in 2025!!
It has been great following along with you this year!