I love a little life reflection and boy till 2024 turn it on.

Intense is the word that comes to mind. It was full on, exhausting and that meant I didn’t show up so much for others or on social media this year. I just needed some time and to have headspace for myself.

For those that are interested, this is what my year looked like;

BEEN:

This year I took five big trips;

• Western Australia - with my sister to visit one of our best friends

• Philippines - with my bff

• Samoa - solo trip to both islands

• Taiwan - solo trip for ten days

• Vanuatu - with my bff staying on Efate Island

I also went away with my boyfriend throughout the year;

• stayed at the Pier One in January with our dog while the floor varnish dried

• stayed at Crystalbrook Albion - which was very underwhelming

• stayed at the Four Seasons, The Rocks overlooking the harbour for my bfs birthday

• stayed at the W Hotel and loved it

• stayed overnight at Mudgee - work trip dropping containers at Aaron’s Pass

• had a week in Tailem Bend, Adelaide - we were put up at The Bend race track with accommodation and meals provided

• weekend in Mulwala in the truck to swap out containers

• went up to Yamba - made a long weekend out of it just after Christmas

Also went to;

• House sit for my cousin at Upper Colo for a few days

• Sydney Symphony at Parramatta Park

• Sydney Zoo Glow Festival with friend and her twin daughters

• Sydney Fish Markets

• Total Country Concert celebrating 60 years of HQ Rooty Hill

• Archibald Prize at Windsor Gallery

• Australiana Pioneer Village

• see Akmal

• The Fenwick, Balmain

• House of Sails for fathers day lunch for my bf

• Sculpture By The Sea

• Korean BBQ

• Car Boot Sales in Kiama

• Hawkesbury Preloved Clothing Markets

CELEBRATED:

• My brothers 40th in January

• My bfs mum turned 85 in May

• My sisters baby shower I organised in May

• My niece, Elsie born in June

• My grandmothers would be 100th birthday with a bonfire at my Auntys

• My bf and I’s six year anniversary in August

• My bffs birthday staying overnight at Darlo Bar

• Fathers Day in Kiama

• One of my travel buddies wedding out at their property at Gulgong. Was a magical setting for a wedding

• My mums brithday by cooking dinner at my place. Our first official guests

• My cousins 40th

• My youngest cousin getting married at a vineyard at Gerringong. It was an incredibly windy day/night but still so much fun

• My birthday with lunch at Austinmer Beach with my sisters and mum

• My eldest nephew graduating Year 10 with his formal

• My eldest niece graduating Year 6 with her formal

• My bfs nephews engagement

WORK:

• Completed 240 observations at preschools

• 17 presentations including a big one on transition to school at the SEPLA Conference

INCOME:

• Received two pay rises throughout the year as a teacher which I didn’t think was necessary. It has had a huge impact on funding available to schools and students which is pointless. We are just paying teachers more to do their job without the necessary support available.

• Received donations from my photos on Pexels which is always exciting to receive. I had 2,413,669 views this year and my photos were downloaded 21,098 times. Mind blown!

• Had a stall at the High End Clothing Sale at Castle Hill earlier in the year and managed to sell and clear out much from my wardrobe. Great lesson in excess and clothes bought but never worn

• I am still selling things from around the house - sold the old fridge and microwave, and gifted the oven to my brother who needs a new one

BLOG:

• Only published 42 blog posts this year. Life took priority. My etag toll blog still being the most popular and most searched for

• But readers reached 2000+ a month which was a first

HOUSE:

• Completed a full house renovation this year which was insane, great but very taxing on my mental state. We lived in the house whilst it was all happening and I don’t deal with disorganization at the best of times. Unreliable trades and just the slow drawn out timeline just about did my head in. We started the year with a bare and empty house with walls, doors, tiled ensuite, cornice and architraves. Everything else has been completed this year. Timber flooring installed downstairs, carpet laid upstairs, walls and ceilings painted, new down lights, pendants and fans throughout, tiled fireplace, new kitchen, another air conditoner installed, walk in wardrobe fitted out, ensuite completed, and new furniture purchased. The house finally looks and feels like a home. The exterior of the house will hopefully be completed in 2025.

• Had four council clean ups and four chemical clean outs

HEALTH/LEISURE:

• I learnt to swim this year, well my bf started to teach me but it is alot to put together. But my confidence is growing in the water. I ‘swam’ the most I ever have this year. I started out going twice a week with my brothers wife to the local pool before my boyfriend wanted in. I swam in WA, Philippines, Samoa and Vanuatu. I even bought some new swimmers.

• Got back into Live Life Get Active for a couple of months then winter came. Instead I finished the year off with the last four months cycling daily for 20 minutes on the exercise bike.

• I read 46 books this year, a mixture of novels, memoirs and nonfiction. My goal for the Goodreads Challenge was 52 books but it was not meant to be. I will try again next year.

• Continued to get the meal box kits which reduces my anxiety around grocery shopping and coming up with meals every night - this year we mixed it up between Hello Fresh and Dinnerly.

As we look back on 2024, I hope it has been a year of growth, joy, and memorable experiences for each of you.

Thank you for following along on my journey through life and for being a part of this community. Here’s to the lessons learned in 2024, the adventures embraced, and the exciting possibilities that 2025 holds.

Wishing you all a wonderful year ahead—may it be filled with new opportunities, lasting memories, and plenty of reasons to celebrate!