My 2024 annual review
Traditions old and new
I have had disastrous winter holidays the last few years: medical emergencies, family dramas, house floods. This year I was determined to just have a good time. So instead of decorating our house and celebrating with family, Eric and I made no plans whatsoever. Then, at the very last minute, we jumped in the car and took a road trip up the coast with our daughter (her first road trip!) to visit three sets of friends over the course of a week. There was no time to make any intricate plans, which kept it super low lift for everyone involved. We just hung out in their living rooms. It was more than a good time. It was the best time. Maybe it’s a new tradition.
Here’s another tradition that I’ve practiced for most of my life. At the end of December or beginning of January, whenever I remember, I pull out my calendar and camera roll and spend a few minutes unceremoniously jotting down highlights in loose chronological order, as a way to capture my year. I write down places I went, people I spent time with, things I learned, celebrations I attended and anything else that I might want to remember. Sometimes it’s in a journal; other times it’s on scrap paper stuffed between tax documents. Often I forget something and scribble it into the margins weeks later in a different ink. My intention with the list is always to expand it into something “better” later, a more thoughtful and detailed story of my year, but I never make it to the annotated version. This year I’ve just come to accept that the list itself is enough.
Here’s my Year In Review for 2024:
Spent my first full year in the US after 5 years of living in France
Weathered multiple family crises; returned to therapy
Attended Frieze LA pregnant; saw beautiful art, ran into friends
Celebrated Chinese New Year with close college friends; made wishes for the year
Reconnected with a high school friend who then became my OB
Went to my first concert at Walt Disney Hall (Philip Glass Etudes); nearly fainted halfway through from overheating (preg), but it changed my life
Moved into a new house 7 months pregnant after the first house flooded
Saw the solar eclipse with one of my best friends in Ojai; my last 1:1 visit with a friend before I became a mom
Ran into Oprah while having contractions, which spiked my blood pressure
Gave birth to my daughter, the single most amazing experience of my life
Practiced “the first 40 days” postpartum; ate lots of mushy food, took lots of sitz baths, became a mama
Figured out breastfeeding after a painful start; still going strong
Completed my French citizenship interview (in fluent French!) at the LA Consulate with my newborn in the lobby and between nursing sessions
Turned 38 sitting on a donut pillow; Eric baked me a cherry clafoutis
Sang Les Crocodiles to my daughter a million times; took her on a million walks
Flew to Dallas to introduce my daughter to my Mema (a dream come true)
Attended my 20th high school reunion and introduced my daughter to my two best friends from home
Made lots of new friends who are moms
Cooked almost every meal at home
Started a new business
Celebrated 5 years of marriage over a breakfast date
Felt inspired to publish my writing again
Cooked a full Thanksgiving dinner (first time spatchcocking a turkey) for visiting family and friends; baked 3 desserts (note to self: 2 is plenty)
Went on a week-long Christmas road trip/friend tour to Big Sur and the Bay Area during a huge storm
Closed my company Mend and sent the final newsletter on the last day of the year, completing an 11 year chapter. Mend Forever <3
Every time I write my annual review I’m just awe struck. Every year is always so chock full of Life. Who knows what next year’s list will hold. Your guess is as good as mine.
What about your 2024?