Dear 2024, I will forever remember you as my year of learning. While I didn’t achieve the academic milestones I once envisioned, life taught me lessons far beyond anything a classroom could offer. I’ve long given up on New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I choose one word each year to focus on, and this year, I chose me. Yes, me. After being swept up in the whirlwind of early motherhood, I made a commitment to prioriti myself—my happiness, my sense of identity, and my well-being. I needed to rebuild after the life-changing arrival of my daughter. Here’s what you gave me: January I took myself on a solo date to Bicester Village, where I found the Saint Laurent bag I’d been dreaming of for three years. When I first saw it in Selfridges, I couldn’t justify the purchase, but this time, the stars aligned. I decided I deserved it. The carrier bag was too big to fit in my compact 2009 Suzuki Alto, so I drove home carefully, unable to see my passenger-side mirror but feeling completely satisfied. That day reminded me of something I’ve always believed: What’s meant for you will never miss you. March Spring arrived, and with it came a newfound desire to transform my home. After two years of living in the same space without a hint of personalisation, I finally began decorating. It was a revelation to remember: This isn’t just any house—this is my home. I deserve to make it reflect who I am. April I toyed with the idea of going back to university, spending countless hours at my laptop, hesitating over the “submit” button on my application. My mind told me it was the ‘right’ thing to do, but my heart whispered that I still needed time to heal and grow. Ultimately, I chose me. May My birthday month arrived, and it was filled with joy and self-care. I indulged in Mexican food, relaxing massages, and the candle counters at Selfridges. More importantly, I gave myself the gift of time—time to simply be with myself. For a working mother, this is no small luxury, and I’ll always be grateful to my husband for making May all about me. June I said goodbye to my second baby—my small business. What began as a maternity leave side hustle grew into a profitable venture, but I knew it was time to let go. Selling it to two fellow mothers felt right, especially as they’ve taken it to new heights. That chapter ended, but it gave me the confidence to start anew. I’ve since channeled my energy into growing my TikTok presence and developing my next business. August This month brought healing in the form of two family holidays. Growing up, I never experienced holidays abroad, so taking my daughter and mum away this summer was a milestone I’ll always be proud of. October The busiest month of the year brought a whirlwind of PR invites, dinners, and seminars. Juggling motherhood, content creation, and business suddenly felt overwhelming—but in the best way. It was also the month I brought my online presence offline, meeting other content creators and even some of my followers. As an introvert, this was a challenge, but it helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. Now, I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store. Thank you, 2024, for bringing me back to me. Laa