December 31, 2024 (New Year’s Eve)

Today, on this last full day of 2024, I bumped my finger into my car dashboard and made it bleed. And that pretty much sums up how this year gone, more or less. 😹

Admittedly, I had pretty high hopes for 2024 (it’s the idealist in me). Yet, looking back, the vast majority of those hopes did not transpire. I wanted 2024 to feel like the release and cozy comfort of a weighted blanket—steadying, stabilizing, sure. Instead, the weight felt like an anchor—heavy-laden and crushing. Twenty-twenty-four ended up being a year of intense burnout, the kind that results from being consistently caught in the crosshairs between the restless desire for freedom and change, and the reality and necessity of responsibility. It’s been a tough lesson to learn: that we cannot simply will or work our dreams into reality.

However, 2024 wasn’t allllllll bad. I finally achieved my seemingly life-long dream of visiting France. Little Michelle would be so proud, as I’m pretty sure I wrote “go to Paris” on a line for a bucket list assignment sometime in the eighth grade lol. It was wonderful and I ate too much baguette. 😹

This year had many other highlights, of course. Lots of snuggles with Luna were had on the couch; many flat whites from Agricole were enjoyed; and I rediscovered my love for trail running.

I may be weary… but I am also somehow never able to outrun my stubborn hope. So, I am officially ✨NAMING AND CLAIMING✨ 2025 as the year of universal redemption and fulfilled longings. LOL. LORD LET IT BE SO.

Cheers and AMEN.

#godblessthenewyear