Looking Back on 2024
From Brat Summer to the small town of Lyme and everything in between
Going into 2024, my word of the year was “confrontation.” I didn’t have a singular resolution for the year but instead compiled a list across five categories of my life, outlining the little things I wanted to confront—ranging from obtaining Global Entry (which I did) to learning a bit of Japanese (which I did not).
The reality is, I had very modest hopes for 2024 and wanted to compile a to-do list which would help me feel more accomplished by year’s end. However, 2024 turned out to be eventful, to say the least…
I struggled with how to best frame up my reflection post — but in true consultant fashion — and as an homage to my resolution list spanning various areas of life — here are my top cultural events, travel experiences, and fulfilling moments from 2024.
Top cultural events and trends that altered my brain chemistry
I go meow
May Cala rest in peace. When I tell you I was obsessed with this cat—it became my entire personality for two months. Something about her adorably confident demeanor as she vocalized, “I go meow” just tickled my brain the right way.
Inside out 2
Given that Inside Out 1 was released in 2015, I was then able to retrospectively relate to my inner child exploring complex emotions for the first time. Similarly, Inside Out 2 personifies teenage emotions, such as anxiety, making it an extremely emotional film for me as an adult who has already navigated and dealt with those complexities.
The film made me empathize with Riley. Watching her first encounters with anxiety and the challenges of growing up allowed me to reflect on my own struggles and look back on my younger self with much kinder eyes. Perhaps that’s why the movie resonates with so many—it captures emotions that are universal to an extent, illustrating that the messiness of growing up is a normal part of life. Needless to say, I cried a lot.
Brat summer + apple dance
What is “Brat”? Confident, chaotic, rebellious, unapologetic, bold? Does anyone really know? The distinctive neon green paired with a simple Arial font undeniably became the aesthetic of summer 2024. With the past few years defined by the “clean girl aesthetic”, Brat Summer to me is part of a series of trends which recalled and embraced individuality and unapologetic disarray. And personally, I just love the APPLE dance.
Trad wife influencers
Taking a 180 from being “Brat”, the rise of demur and mindful “trad wife” influencers also garnered the attention of our society. I haven’t fully formulated my opinion on matters surrounding Ballerina Farms or Nara Smith, but there is something captivating about stepping back to make food from scratch while simultaneously embracing a chosen role in the kitchen. Of course, there are issues with romanticizing a lifestyle that may not fully encompass the reality of some families — but such selective highlights are what some may argue social media platforms are built on.
Microplastics
I won’t comment too much on the negative effects of microplastics—it’s inevitable to consume them in our world, and fearmongering might be counterproductive.
My advice is to do your research and determine specific actions you’re willing to incorporate into your daily routine to reduce your concerns. For me, that means tossing my plastic cutting boards, avoiding plastic Tupperware, and switching to loose-leaf tea.
For more information, check out this podcast: https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/the-effects-of-microplastics-on-your-health-how-to-reduce-them
Top travel events that made me emotional
Seeing the Sagrada Familia in person
Literally was speechless. The light shining through the stained glass was just so gorgeous. Gaudi’s vision to emulate organic shapes in nature to pay tribute to God as the original artist is so evident in his work and this was just one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve had this year. To top it all off, everyone around me was also in awe and that made it all the more special.
Overlooking the fields of Polvorín de Santa Elena in Puerto Rico
Me being extremely emotional before visiting this area definitely had an impact, but something about the vast, lush green fields with the overcast sky near the ocean just made me want to cry. I felt extremely the main character in this moment — if I was directing a movie, this is where the theme soundtrack would creep up as the main character deeply reflects on her life decisions.
But in all seriousness, I have not seen people fly kites in a very long time and it was very sweet to see people enjoy a chill day near the beach while I’m going through an existential crisis.
Hiking a glacier
I’m still surprised I did not fall during this hike, but it was a bit sad seeing where the glacier historically extended to and the effects of climate change. The rest of my Iceland trip is documented here:
Montreal Plaza dining experience
After a long day of driving, this was one of the best meals I’ve had this year. Just so so innovative and fun and unexpected. See more details of my Montreal trip:
The sweet ladies of the Lyme Baptist Church
Right before Leo and I set out on our Mt. Cube hike, we were distracted by a “Fall Sale” sign in front of the Lyme Baptist Church. So, obviously, we delayed our hike to check it out — which did result in us almost not making it down from the mountain before dark — but it was soooo worth it.
Inside the church, there were countless tables filled with vintage ornaments, hand-sewn beanies and stockings, vases, plates, toys, and everything else you’d expect to find accumulated in a home over generations. Behind the tables were elderly residents of the town, catching up with one another as they bagged the goodies occasional customers selected— for prices so low I’m certain “inflation” was not in the town’s vocabulary.
We ended up also getting a sandwich to-go, which they bagged meticulously, with the pickle and chips on the side to prevent the sandwich from getting soggy. Everyone was so welcoming and sweet and I really wish we had time to stay for the maple raffle at the end...
Top fulfilling moments where gratitude overwhelmed me
AEAB PPT night
This was only our second year of doing PPT night as a group, but it already feels like a tradition. Unfortunately, my project at the time was extremely intense and I had to travel to NYC on such short notice that I was unable to attend the PPT night in person. My sweet pals sent recordings and photos, which I watched in the Uber. And as I quickly stumbled to my hotel room with my take-out dinner, I was able to Facetime the group in time for some hilarious but emotional presentations. And honestly, this was what got me through that intense week.
“Surprise” birthday picnic
Someone give me an Oscar for this. Bless Leo and my friends for trying to organize a surprise picnic. Although, knowing the surprise in advance made it extra special as I was able to witness the amount of effort that went into this operation. The cake was transported in an Amazon box! I was so deeply touched and grateful to be with everyone as I struggled with the concept of turning 24.
Having Amina visit Boston
It’s always nice to have friends visit Boston, and being able to spend a beautiful autumn afternoon around the public gardens and Commonwealth Ave., topped off with dinner + drinks at Franklin Café completed with more wine on the roof deck… all while reminiscing the past and catching up on current perspectives on life was just too perfect. To all my long-distance friends — please visit me :)
Hearing everyone’s highs + lows during Thanksgiving
This was another extremely tender girlhood moment as my college pals presented our highs and lows of 2024 in a remote cabin in Fairview, CO. I was just so proud of everyone and grateful for all our matching shirts and long talks.
Making kimchi
I fearrrr I may now be a kimchi snob. The sense of accomplishment after making our first two jars of kimchi was indescribable. That jar was my child, I was so proud of the fermentation and the taste and I cannot wait to make another batch very soon.
Receiving a Christmas card from my mentee in the CAPS program
I know I have ranted previously on how my favorite gift ever was a digital painting a mentee created for me. He now has competition. I connected with my current mentee in the program her junior year of high school, and this Christmas, she put together the cutest care package with a handmade card which literally made me cry.
Meeting my ESOL student’s daughter
On a similar note, I was also able to meet my ESOL student’s daughter via zoom right before the holidays, and ugh, it made me so happy.
I think in general, I am grateful for being able to carve out more time for volunteering during the week this year. When I first started work, it was trickier to leave for 2 hours on a random night — but as I gained more autonomy over my hours, it feels nice to be able to consistently form relationships with surrounding communities via volunteering on a weekly basis. Both my ESOL students this year are mothers, and as we have chatted through our sessions, they often remind me to enjoy my “girl years” — which I do take for granted at times but is definitely something else I’m super thankful for.
Evidently, 2024 turned out to be much more exciting than I originally anticipated. Aside from the memories I decided to recap above, I also attended David and Oski’s wonderful wedding, took a siblings trip to Portland, Maine, and got into MBA programs after an intense application cycle where I severely underestimated the effort required…
2025 is super exciting for me, but I am a bit scared to take on a new chapter in my adult life. The thought of having to potentially move away from Boston for 2 years is so daunting. So, for the next year, my only measurable resolution is to run a 5k nonstop. Everything else, I’ll just let it happen and adapt as I go. Perhaps my word of the year will be “assurance” - just doing what I can and having trust and assurance in the process.
I’m wishing the happiest new year to you all, and hope to hear of your adventures as well!
I like the idea of setting a word for the new year instead of a list of goals that i’ll never achieve. the sermon I listened to on Sunday also suggested setting a word for the new year as well. I took some thought and my word is “acceptance.” I’ve been having a lot of trouble of letting go of the future and the unknown and still living in the past sometimes. I need to just accept my now, accept what is in my control and accept what I can do now, and leave the future for the future. I dwell too much on the “what if this happens” and trying to control my actions for the future but that just gives me more anxiety lol. I’ll accept my present and what is in my control now and let go of the past and the future
I'm not exaggerating when I say this was even better than I expected it to be. You're such an artist and a poet, both in how you take in life's beauty and how you put out creative reflections on your experiences. I get a balance between structured vacation retellings, snippets of pop culture commentary, and glimpses into your core values as a human bean contributing to society on this good little planet called earth.
Some favorite quotes from this:
"I was then able to retrospectively relate to my inner child exploring complex emotions for the first time." ‣ Beautifully said, you worded this feeling perfectly.
"Gaudi’s vision to emulate organic shapes in nature to pay tribute to God as the original artist is so evident in his work and this was just one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve had this year." ‣ Besides your museum docent-level top-tier description, this inspires me to write down the ephemeral thoughts that come up when I travel, and the power of reliving the memory, perhaps on a emotionally rainy day.
"I won’t comment too much on the negative effects of microplastics—it’s inevitable to consume them in our world, and fearmongering might be counterproductive." ‣ Such a level-headed, measured response to something that can be confusingly scary. Thanks for the reminder babes, cutting out Sonny Angels from my life with their microp-
"Both my ESOL students this year are mothers, and as we have chatted through our sessions, they often remind me to enjoy my “girl years” — which I do take for granted at times but is definitely something else I’m super thankful for." ‣ Key words: volunteering, teacher, student, learning, mentoring, growth, wholesome, reflection, womanhood, gratitude, taking life fast and slow and making the most of it. Love it all
"I’m still surprised I did not fall during this hike, but it was a bit sad seeing where the glacier historically extended to and the effects of climate change" ‣ Environmentally conscious tourist, deep thinker, socially-aware human, love to see it
"Perhaps my word of the year will be “assurance” - just doing what I can and having trust and assurance in the process." ➼ no real reply here besides snapping my fingers, nodding my head vigorously, and being excited for your 2025!