5 Lessons I’ve Learned Since the Start of 2024

I enjoy blogging. I seriously do. It’s like a form of journaling for me—a journal I can share with the world. While this blog is often more informational and instructional, every now and then I feel the urge to share my deeper thoughts. As we approach the holiday season and the end of the year, I find myself reflecting on where I was at the start of the year and where I am now. I’ve been thinking about areas of growth, goals achieved, and yes, even the places where I fell short. Here are the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Growth is like watching a plant grow—you can’t see it in real time, but over weeks and months, the difference becomes undeniable. This year, I set out to grow as an individual. I wanted to be more patient, love deeper, and strengthen the relationships in my life.

I’ve learned that growth isn’t always obvious. It’s about consistency, small habits, and steady change. The results may not be visible day-to-day, but looking back, you realize just how far you’ve come. Just like a seed doesn’t become a tree overnight, our personal development requires time and nurturing.

One of the biggest shifts for me this year was learning to break big goals into smaller, actionable steps. I credit my Vision Board Journal for helping me stay focused. It’s now part of my daily routine to take one small action toward a bigger goal.

Some days, it’s as small as watching a 10-minute video to expand my knowledge. Other days, it’s something big like filming content. These baby steps, however small, compound over time and bring me closer to where I want to be.

If you feel overwhelmed by your goals, I highly recommend breaking them down. Think of it as creating a roadmap—each small action is another turn bringing you closer to your destination.

If you’re not writing your goals down, you’re essentially wandering without a clear destination. This year, I saw firsthand how writing my goals helped me get laser-focused on what I wanted to achieve.

When you write something down, it becomes tangible. It stops being just an idea floating around in your mind. For me, writing goals gave me a sense of direction and purpose. It’s like having a compass to navigate through life’s chaos.

If you haven’t already, take some time to write your goals down. Whether they’re personal, professional, or family-related, seeing them on paper gives you clarity and makes them feel achievable.

This year, I turned the spotlight on my relationships—with my husband, kids, extended family, and friends. What I realized is that many of us are still nursing childhood wounds, even in adulthood. We often seek external factors to heal internal voids: lost love, lost time, or unmet expectations from our younger selves.

I’ve learned from Myron Golden’s words that “the past perceived void is the present perceived value.” We often value what we feel we missed in childhood and seek it in our adult relationships. But true healing comes when we see value in our past experiences, even the painful ones.

As the saying goes, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” When we reframe our hardships as opportunities for growth, they stop holding us back and start propelling us forward.

The Bible says, “All things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28). This truth has resonated deeply with me this year. Even in moments when things seemed to go wrong, I learned that there was purpose in the chaos.

Nature gives us countless examples of this. For instance, forest fires, while destructive, create fertile ground for new growth. Similarly, the challenges we face can pave the way for better things. Accepting this has given me peace and strengthened my faith in the bigger picture.

Final Thoughts: Reflect and Reset

As we near the end of the year, I encourage you to take some time to reflect on your journey. What have you learned? How have you grown? And what can you carry into the new year?

If you’re feeling stuck, remember these lessons: growth is steady, small steps matter, and healing begins when we embrace both the good and the bad of our experiences.

Let’s finish the year strong and enter the next one with purpose and clarity. And if you’re looking for a tool to help you get started, my Vision Board Journal is available now—it’s been a game-changer for me, and I know it can help you too.