Reflections: 2024
As the year draws to a close and the quiet of winter settles in, it’s perhaps a fitting time to reflect on the months gone by. On a personal level, this year has been a mix of challenges and hard-won achievements, each imparting valuable lessons.
Looking back over the year, my original plan was to “soft launch” A Curious Adventure at the start of June, but a period of ill health left me barely functioning for what seemed like an eternity. Supporting our daughter through GCSEs and dealing with the aftermath of not getting the required grades for Sixth Form added to the stress. On top of that, delivering on my commercial consulting role in a major global IT transformation programme. To add to the emotional turmoil, my son emigrated to Australia, which was a profound lesson in avoidance if ever there was one. At times, it felt as though I was going through the proverbial “meat grinder.”
It hasn’t all been tough. As a family, we created some great memories during our long-awaited trip to Thailand. We enjoyed the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, rode in Tuk-Tuks, visited night markets, and watched my teenage daughters develop their negotiating skills buying “designer gear.” Closer to home, we enjoyed some lovely downtime in Cornwall, Devon, and Norfolk.
On balance, whilst 2024 has been tough, I know that going through the “hard bits” and not giving up has re-baselined my resilience levels. Moreover, at some point during the “messiness” of all that was happening, I stopped worrying about “not being enough” and found ways of dealing with all the uncertainty and ambiguity, maintaining “forward motion” by giving myself permission to fail. It’s amazing how freeing yourself from expectations (especially those of your own making) and acknowledging what’s going on for you right here, right now, can be very liberating and provide the right type of motivation.
Circling back to where I started, the launch of A Curious Adventure may have been delayed, however, being philosophical, “now” is as good a time as ever. The soft launch will come to end in early 2025, while I continue to tweak things and make preparation for rolling out the website. All very exciting, but for now I just need to pause and take breath.
As I approach the new year, there’s a sense of cautious anticipation. The path ahead is uncertain but filled with potential for continual growth and change. During the holiday period, I will take time out on my own to acknowledge the struggles I’ve faced, the strength I’ve gained, and the possibilities that lie ahead. I invite you to do the same.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
