Reflecting on 2024: A Year Overshadowed by Grief and Loss

As I say goodbye to 2024, I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions. It wasn’t the easiest year, and I’m kind of relieved to see it go. There were some tough moments that made just getting through the day feel like a major win.

The Weight of Grief and Loss

2024 was marked by some heavy anniversaries and milestones that were hard to deal with:

• The one-year anniversary of losing Mum

• The two-year anniversary of losing Dad

• What would’ve been their 53rd and 54th birthdays

• What would’ve been their 32nd wedding anniversary

• Holidays that just didn’t feel right

• Family dynamics that felt weird

• What felt like expectations to not feel so overwhelmingly sad

Grief isn’t a straight line, and these reminders hit me hard sometimes. Losing both parents so close together is a tough kind of heartbreak. It leaves a gap that no holiday, birthday, or family get-together can really fill. These moments have shown me it’s totally okay to feel the weight of that loss and to embrace those feelings without beating myself up about it.

On top of all that, I had some unexpected life challenges like my cat needing emergency back surgery(if you have cats, you know this is incredibly rare and very scary) Each of these moments pushed me to be stronger in ways I didn’t expect.

Finding Silver Linings

Even with all the challenges, 2024 also gave me plenty of reasons to celebrate and hold onto some good memories:

• One year of sobriety: A personal win that’s brought me clarity and strength.

• One year out of school with my Bachelor’s degree: A reminder that hard work really pays off. I'm just past it enough to consider wanting to go back to school...always trying to do too much

• Six years of marriage: To the most stubborn, frustrating, but also caring and giving person I know. 2025 will be our 11th anniversary. It's wild to reminisce about what we've been through.

• My cat’s recovery: Seeing her take those first steps after waking up to her being paralyzed was such a beautiful reminder of resilience.

• Nine fur babies: They bring endless joy (and a fair amount of mud) into my life. Always available to cuddle and love when mom needs it.

• Adventures and new experiences: Festivals, concerts, basketball games, plus trips to Cancun and the Bahamas were bright spots in a tough year. It's tough to remember that you can still enjoy life after losing someone. But I know my parents wouldn’t want me to stop living because they aren’t here.

• One year of therapy: What started as grief counseling turned into a transformative journey of self-discovery and healing. I will always, always, always recommend therapy. I started like 3 days after mom died, and it has changed my life.

Navigating Grief and Embracing Growth

One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that grief and joy can totally coexist. While 2024 was filled with more reminders of what I've lost, it also gave me chances to grow and find strength in unexpected places. Therapy has played a huge role in helping me process my emotions and understand that it’s okay to let go of what I can’t control.

The holidays, which once felt like they’d never be the same, became a chance to say no to the status quo, and not go to the event because I felt like I needed to. I honored my emotions and feelings and stayed home when I felt like it was too much. As a people pleaser, saying yes to myself over everyone else was a huge step for me. Each little victory, whether personal or emotional or overcoming a challenge, reminded me how important resilience and gratitude are.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As I step into 2025, I’m feeling a mix of hope and determination. The slow pace of winter has given me a lot of time just to chill and think about what I want this year to look like. I’m not exactly sure yet, but I can promise it won’t be anything like the last two years.

2024, I won’t miss you, but I’m thankful for the lessons you taught me and the growth you inspired. Here’s to 2025 and all the possibilities it has in store!

Your Turn!

We’d love to hear from you! Scroll down and leave us a comment.

What challenges did you face in 2024? Did you ever feel a bit stuck, or were you able to push through? Share any tips that helped you keep going!

Do you have any goals or intentions for 2025? What are you aiming for, and how do you plan to give yourself that extra boost for a fresh start in the new year?