January 19, 2025

2024 Recap | My year in a nutshell

 

Happy New Year. As I welcome this new year, I would like to reflect what was last year was like. Still, I have a job, a great partner, more bonding with siblings and most of all prioritized my peace.

Things have also felt heavier this year

Also, this year we have dealt with unimaginable pain and loss. I couldn’t imagine how are we even go through such things, but thankfully, still here and thriving.

I started a small business and it did not go well and eventually I gave it up.

I would like to think that I am creative but this year was the worst creative rut that I have experienced. I tried to write, create something but it doesn’t come up naturally and the more I push myself the more burnout I feel. Towards the end of the year, I got inspired to create more there is an attempt but not consistent.

I had a lot of purchase, travel and bad financial decisions.

So much happened that I hadn’t expected, bringing a lot of stress and anxiety that affects my work and well being that I had a session with a therapist for the first time. It seems like a lot of weight was lifted from my shoulders as someone is there to listen to you without any judgment.

I am planning to just put the highlight this year, but I decided to put some downers to give a more realistic glimpse of what 2024 looks like to me.

Going back, when I think what happened this 2024, I realized that I experienced a lot of things for the first time.

Here are the highlights of 2024:

1.     Chelsea’s 2^nd Barkday

We celebrated Chelsea’s birthday and she was able to try dog cake

 

2.  First Camping Experience

We went to Morong Bataan and did camping, not only once but twice. It is a great way to escape, and to be far from distraction of the city

 

3   Conquered Mt Pulag

My mother mountain. I am so blessed that I was able to conquer the highest peak in Luzon. Proves that nothing is impossible and I can conquer great things

 

4.  Celebrated my Grandfather’s 80^th birthday

It was a blessing if someone was able to reach this age and I am happy that my lolo was able to celebrate with friends and family and to be able to witness what good things life has to offer

 

5.  Conquered Mt. Ulap

My second peak this year. This is my birthday hike and if Mt Pulag is the one that opened my eyes to hiking, Mt Ulap made me fall in love to hiking. I look forward to conquer more mountains.

 

 Went to Music Fest after couple of years

Circus Music Fest 5 is the latest music fest that I went to with my work friends. It was tiring and happy experience. To be able to sing with artists that we usually only hear on headphones.

 

7.  Healing our inner child at Enchanted Kingdom

We went to EK together with my college friends. We eat out and were able to experience all the attractions that it has to offer. We had Ekspress pass to skip the lines though

 Went to a solo museum date

I went to National museum This is my first time to explore a museum by myself and I was able to explore, history and our culture. 

 

8.   Solo Travel in Baguio

I hit rock bottom last November and I really need to be away by myself and realized that Baguio is my healing place.

 

9.      Solo Hiking at Yellow Trail in Camp John Hay

Exploring nature in an unfamiliar place by myself was a healing experience to me. I felt refreshed, inspired and motivated after the hike and really felt excited what has to come.

 

10   Island hopping in Nasugbu Batangas

We had a reunion in Nasugbu with my siblings and we were able to go to an island hopping not only that, Chelsea was able to experience it as well.

  Aqua Planet Experience

We went to Aqua Planet to celebrate Christmas with my partner and his siblings.

As I write this I realized that, one of the greatest lessons 2024 has taught me is that there is better in this world than bad. Though at times I hit rock bottom, I was able to learn from my mistake and bounce back. I am inspired to write blog entries for those highlights so expect more entries this year as this will be my consistent year. I am claiming it.

I am going into 2025 fighting my own self-limiting beliefs, still a work in progress, but stronger, more determined, and at peace.

How are you, how was your 2024?