A Year's End: Gratitude, Growth, and the Path Ahead
As the final days of 2024 wind down, I find myself reflecting on the journey we’ve all been through—on the highs and lows, the moments of triumph, and the challenges that tested our strength. Every year is a new chapter in our story, but 2024 has been one of transformation, growth, and deep learning. As we stand at the threshold of a new year, there’s a gentle power in pausing to appreciate what has come before, what we’ve learned, and how we’ve evolved. This is a time for gratitude—for everything we’ve experienced—and a moment to look ahead with intention and purpose.
Gratitude for the Year Gone By
2024 has not been an easy year for many of us. But it has been a year rich with lessons, and with each lesson comes growth. We have faced personal challenges, endured hardships, but we have also celebrated victories, found new strength, and made new memories. In these closing days, I encourage you to take a moment to pause and reflect on everything you are grateful for—the people who have stood by you, the moments of joy, the small victories, and the way you’ve shown resilience through it all.
This year has been a testament to our ability to weather life’s storms while finding pockets of beauty along the way. From my own family’s journey, to the global events that have unfolded, I have learned so much about perseverance, connection, and the importance of kindness. And for all of these lessons, I am deeply thankful.
Growth and Lessons Learned
As we step into the new year, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come. Each year shapes us—through the small, daily choices we make and the significant events that change the course of our lives.
In 2024, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing my loved ones grow and evolve in inspiring ways. One of my children has shown incredible determination and resilience, reminding me of the power of courage in the face of challenges. Another has faced obstacles head-on with a strength and focus that leave me in awe, always striving to improve the outcome. A new addition to our family has brought fresh love and meaning, while quiet moments spent with my youngest, sharing his favorite tea and stories, fill me with a tender nostalgia for these fleeting years.
This year also reminded me of the profound power of community—of being there for one another through thick and thin. Our families, friends, and neighbors are the ones who keep us grounded. In these bonds, we find not only comfort but also the strength to rise again.
On a personal note, 2024 brought milestones that I am deeply grateful for. Becoming an internationally licensed yacht skipper was a dream realized, a testament to hard work and perseverance. Yet, even with this achievement, I find myself humbled by the strength, love, and resilience of those around me—the true anchors in my life.
Through these accomplishments, cherished moments, and the enduring support of community, I’ve gained a clearer vision of who I want to be and what truly matters most.
The Path Ahead: Stepping into 2025 with Intention
As we approach 2025, let’s step forward with intention. The transition from one year to the next is a time to shed the past and embrace the future. But it’s not just about resolutions or big, sweeping changes. It’s about setting small, intentional goals—ones that align with our values and guide us toward growth.
I invite you to join me in a journey of physical and mental clarity by starting the new year with 30 days of Yoga with Adriene. Adriene Mishler’s yoga practice is all about connecting with yourself, finding ease in movement, and showing up for your body and mind with kindness. I’ve always found yoga to be a powerful tool for grounding myself, and I would love for you to join me in beginning the year with a gentle and mindful practice. You can find her free classes on her YouTube channel here.
Additionally, I’ve created a set of personalized worksheets designed to help you reflect on your year, assess where you are, and set intentions for the new year ahead. These worksheets will guide you through meaningful self-reflection and help you transition into 2025 with clarity and purpose. You can download and print them for your use below.
Journaling Suggestions for Reflection and Intention-Setting
Year in Review: Reflect on the key moments of the year. What are you grateful for? What challenges did you face, and how did they shape you? What did you learn about yourself and the world?
Intentions for 2025: What do you want to create, learn, or experience in the coming year? Set specific, realistic goals that align with your values.
The Gratitude List: Make a list of all the things, people, and experiences you’re grateful for. Let this list remind you of the abundance in your life.
Family and Community Vision: What kind of relationships do you want to cultivate in 2025? How can you nurture your family and community?
Creating Lasting Memories on New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is often a time for celebration, but it’s also an opportunity to create lasting memories with your loved ones. I recommend setting aside the big parties for a moment and focusing on creating something meaningful with your family. Here are a few family activities to help you ring in the new year intentionally:
Family Reflection Circle: Gather your loved ones and share your highlights of the year. Each person can share something they are grateful for and something they’ve learned. This creates a space for connection and gratitude.
Create a Time Capsule: Collect items that represent the year gone by—photos, mementos, letters—and seal them in a box to open at the end of next year. This activity not only brings joy in the moment but creates a beautiful tradition for years to come.
Memory Jar: Throughout the evening, have each family member write down a memory or something they’re thankful for, then read them aloud together before the year ends.
Recipes for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
Food is a powerful way to bring people together. Here are a few recipes for you to share with your family as you celebrate and reflect:
1. Comforting Soup for Reflection:
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
This warm, velvety soup is perfect for New Year’s Eve—a comforting dish that symbolizes nourishment and the beauty of simplicity. It’s a reminder that life is full of small, nurturing moments.
Ingredients:
2 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups vegetable broth
Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the squash cubes in olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast for 25–30 minutes, until tender.
In a large pot, sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Add the roasted squash and vegetable broth to the pot and simmer for 10 minutes.
Puree with an immersion blender until smooth, then adjust seasoning to taste.
2. A Recipe for the New Year:
New Year’s Day Breakfast Pancakes with Maple Syrup
Start the year with a meal that brings joy and a sweet beginning to 2025.
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 ½ cups milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Butter for cooking
Instructions:
Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk together wet ingredients.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients and stir until smooth.
Heat a skillet over medium heat and add butter. Pour batter onto the skillet and cook until bubbles form, then flip and cook until golden.
Serve with fresh berries and maple syrup.
These simple recipes bring warmth and a sense of comfort, much like the intention we set for the year ahead. They are a reminder that nourishment is not just physical, but emotional and spiritual too.
As we close this year, let us carry forward the lessons, gratitude, and growth. Let us step into the new year with intention, purpose, and the belief that we are capable of becoming our best selves. Here’s to a year of positivity, health, and the beauty of intentional living.
Love, Leigh
In every ending, there is a beginning.
