2024 ins/outs reflections

looking back before we look forward

Happy 2025!

How did we get here so fast?? I swear it was just January 2024, and I was in Government Camp ringing in the new year at a cozy cabin with friends (playing the 11th wheel), hiking Tom, Dick, and Harry, having so much fun, and looking forward to what 2024 would bring.

*spoiler: 2024 was one of the hardest years yet (but still amazing)*

the govy camp cabin ladies <3

To set the tone of 2024, I decided to do the tiktok trend and posted my ins and outs for 2024. Some of them, I didn’t stick to, but happy to report that most I did.

For a recap (and for those of you who don’t follow me on tiktok/don’t have tiktok), here they are.

Ins:

- taking daily vitamins/supplements (magnesium powder has been a game changer) - I pretty much stuck to this. I fell off here and there, but I definitely did better than 2023, especially when I was prepping for my egg retrieval.

- making decisions out of love not fear 🤍 - This is just a life mantra for me, so I always try to live by this rule. Always lead with your heart and what’s true to YOU.

- sauna time/cold plunging - although I didn’t do this regularly (I don’t have this easily accessible), but I did take more time for me. Taking a random Wednesday off and going to spend time at the spa, spa time with friends, river/lake plunges.

- more 🍃✨️🍄 (less 🍺) - I did this, but also still enjoyed a shit ton of beer. I am who I am.

- keeping standards high - always and forever, especially entering this year single, I know now my bar may be high, but for good reason.

- creating just because - still working on this (hence this substack), but this will always a be a work-in-progress and something I may always struggle with as a creative.

- wearing what you want vs what's "most flattering" - definitely leaned into wearing whatever I felt like (i.e. thrift goods, men’s clothes, whatever was comfy). Hoping to expand this in 2025 ✨

- girls trips/weekends away - I think I might be most proud of this one. Every other month (almost every month), I had a mini getaway or weekend planned with girlfriends. Everything was a quick drive away so it was accessible and affordable. I could probably write a whole post recapping all the adventures (would that be something you’d want??) Definitely want to carry this same energy over into 2025!

girls trip to the oregon coast

girls wine weekend in washington

- keep learning (fly fish, podcasts, books, new hobbies, etc.) - wanna work on this and explore more hobbies in 2025 (unofficially the year of hobbies)

- more paddleboarding - got on my board this year, but could’ve been more. The end of summer got unexpectedly busy, but hoping to get on the water more this year.

- pick back up piano - didn’t happen…maybe this year? (also wanna learn the guitar/violin/some string instrument 😂)

- releasing physical/material things - this happened because I moved haha, but nonetheless, it still happened and plan to do more this year!

Outs:

- chasing timelines - I finally embraced the fact that my timeline definitely doesn’t look like anyone else’s. However, I’d be lying if I said I still didn’t struggle with comparison. Not so much around timeline, but just around what I don’t have and what others have that I wish I did.

- impulsive spending - improved on this a lot and proud of myself!

- mindless drinking - maybe? lol I think I definitely improved on this and only drink when I’m out with friends or have a planned occasion or celebration, so I’ll take the small w.

- unnecessary subscriptions - canceled sooo many things - vitamin sub, Sling, all streaming services except Netflix - actually cut down on a lot of TV watching, not intended, just happened (thank you to my parents/friends when I want to watch something haha), Amazon Prime (shocking I know, but it’s been easier than I thought it would be 🤷‍♀️)

- anything that doesn't bring me joy - yup, always

- unhealthy morning/bedtimes routines - oof, hate to end this on not a great note, but I still need to work on this in 2025. The last half of the year didn’t help with this, but hopeful I can get back into a good routine.

Well, this was much longer than I expected (bless you if you are still reading), but 2024, although felt short, had a lot packed into it. For me, entering 2024 I was heartbroken and ending 2024 I was heartbroken (both for different reasons) - a heartbreak sandwich, if you will. But everything in between - the goods - was exciting, fun, and amazing, spent with so many people I love who supported me and were there for me when I needed them most.

And I heard it best today on tiktok: even if you don’t feel like you accomplished a lot in 2024, if you are still here and just simply existed, that was enough and an accomplishment in itself.

So here’s to 2025 and whatever it may hold - for me and for you 🥂

Much love,

D

*coming next week: 2024 accomplishments*