I remember a quote saying, "Finish rested, because you've been strong the whole year", and that came to me in a very good way. It's not like I've been the greatest fighter, or someone with the hugest dragon to slash, but it helps me realize that I don't need to rush anything. Let's go back to being grounded because no one is chasing.
On that note, I want to take a look at the year 2024 grateful. Most of the goodness came in as a nice product of growing a year older and more mature (I'd hope so). Some of them are the things that I did for myself that turned out create a big difference in my spirit and psyche before stepping in to the new year of 2025. But all of them are ways to become more me.
I did medical check up and made lots of doctor appointments
Growing up, I've always been afraid to go to doctor and receive diagnosis. I started to see the value in it, and I always go for it (most importantly the luxurious face treatment I always look forward to as a reward because often times we just like being taken care of...). I don't want to take my health for granted. Life is already full of tasks I’d rather avoid anyway, so how do I make them manageable?
Well, there is no such thing by feeling comfortable to go see the doctors knowing that there are risks of what we can have of illnesses. That is why, I'd rather to make it a should-do chore because once it is finished, I got the sense of achievement despite being told to take the medicines, avoid certain type of things, and so on. (I can easily see why someone would NOT want to do it, nor want the information that it provides, but I have the exact personality type that wants it desperately)
I finally had my medical check up done, and once I made it, I was on a roll empowered by the results—nothing too concerning, and I even improved my awareness to stay on the healthy line just because I don't want to discover other health issues in the future. While right now it’s a Nothing, it could turn into a Something very fast, but a pretty doctor, though not so friendly, is working her magic through words and advises that the Nothing’s aspirations of becoming Something currently can be discharged.
The highlight was, I finally had braces on! Well, it's more of a want from the past to improve my loo, but it still felt so rewarding to come, though, to get to the point where I had the money, and went through it all. It felt exhilarating to know better about my wisdom teeth growing, in fact, so sturdily that it supported my mouth function.
I have no illusions that health or mortality are in my control, but going to all those appointments are the bodily equivalent to doing house chores. It reminded me that tackling this as a task, much like organizing clutters, can feel energizing when approached with the right mindset. We need this to get done, and the peace that comes from crossing off "I should" tasks makes the experience in navigating life much smoother.
I meal prep, and everything
After trying to be more committed to meal prep, I asked myself repeatedly if I felt better: healthier, more energetic? The answer was: not really. What did change, though, was my mind (and financial condition hehehe).
For years, I had been aware that consuming excessive meat and sugar would deliberately take my health go downhill. This resonance with my modest ethics to finally schedule the intake; not fully cutting them off. Once I aligned my actions with this value, I began to respect myself more, which even led to even greater time management and budgeting through planning. Meal prep, in my case, was less about diet and more about cultivating self-care and mindful spending. I also applied this to skin cycling, and pursuing capsule wardrobe to avoid fast fashion. This approach to self-respect has made me more fulfilled, calm and settled, even when I’m not perfect— especially when I'm not perfect.
I let my mind change itself and be spontaneous
In 2024, I took a break from goal-setting. Not that I've been always consistent in the resolution frenzy but along the way, I unlocked a more thriving era which is embracing more fluidity and happy-go approach to life.
I explored (and re-invent) a variety of interests—photography, home designing, singing, going to the zoo, and more—without the pressure to stick with them or excel with specific outcomes. This shift was inspired by a perspective on a post I read, which challenged me to stop saying "I should" and instead acknowledge what truly wasn’t a priority. This honesty allowed me to focus on things that excited me at one time, without the guilt of failing or unfinished commitments.
I started seeing my changes of interest as small adventures rather than pressure, understanding that rigidity isn’t necessary for personal growth. For this time being, I like following the flow of life rather than staging it. I'm doing whatever feels right in that moment, and trusting that life knows where it’s going.
I believe that every year is inherently meant to be good: it can be a year of questioning or a year of answering. It's easier to just see it through with a light and focus on what we can control, rather than being resentful of what's already happened or what's to come.
Practice, and make it a good habit! That's what I learnt from the good ol' 2024.
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