✨ 2024: Lessons Learned, Habits Built, and Intentions for 2025 ✨

Nensi Sharma
Jan 2, 2025
6 min read

Hey there, lovely readers! 🥰

As the year shifts gears, I’ve taken some time to sit down, breathe, and reflect on the rollercoaster that 2024 was. With its share of wins, setbacks, and lessons, this past year has been a teacher in the most unexpected ways. So, grab your favorite drink, get cozy, and let’s take a little trip through my reflections, goals, and all the good (and not-so-good) stuff that shaped me this year.

2024: A Year of Learning, Growing, and Slipping (a bit!) 🪻

I don’t know about you, but for me, 2024 felt like a mix of “I’ve got this” and “What on earth is going on?”

One thing I learned is that progress isn’t always linear. Sometimes, we fall back into old habits, and that’s okay—it’s part of being human. But here’s the catch: the key is to pick yourself up and not let those slips define your journey.

This year, I learned the magic of pausing. Instead of diving into a guilt spiral every time I felt stuck, I started taking breaks to reflect, evaluate, and make little tweaks. Trust me, a monthly self-evaluation can do wonders. Jotting down what worked, what didn’t, and how I felt during the month kept me grounded and gave me direction.

When Chikankari kurtis were your main vibe throughout the year! ✨

The Lessons That Stuck 📜

Here’s a little highlight reel of the big (and small) lessons I’ll carry forward:

Societal Expectations Are Overrated: There’s so much pressure to meet the world’s idea of success, but guess what? Your journey is YOURS. This year, I stopped letting societal norms dictate my happiness and started celebrating my own achievements—big or small.
Action Precedes Motivation: Waiting for motivation is like waiting for a bus that never shows up. Instead, I’ve learned to just start. Whether it’s tackling one page of a book, one paragraph of an essay, or even one tiny task, it’s all about building momentum.
Honesty Is a Game-Changer: Being honest with yourself is liberating, even when it’s uncomfortable. Sure, it’s tough to admit when you’re off track, but that honesty is the first step toward fixing things.
Gratitude is Everything: A simple “thank you”—to yourself, to others, to the universe—can shift your perspective. This year, I practiced gratitude wherever I could, and it changed the way I saw the world.
Boundaries Are Non-Negotiable: Whether it’s setting clear boundaries with people or putting my foot down when something doesn’t feel right, I’ve learned that protecting your peace is so important.

Found myself spending more time in nature! 🍂🌿

The Good Stuff from 2024 🌼

Now, let’s talk about what worked. Here’s a sneak peek into the habits, rituals, and little joys that made my year better:

Journaling & Reflection: Keeping a 2-minute journal has been a lifesaver. From jotting down daily gratitude notes to monthly check-ins, it’s helped me stay in tune with myself. I made sure to do a self-evaluation towards the end of or beginning of each month to keep myself accountable - even when it felt bad and made me feel guilty.
Upgrading myself: 2024 was the year I stepped out of my comfort zone fashion-wise and decided to upgrade my closet, a quiet necessity fueling my determination, and voila! I ended up shocking my peers and old friends with a whole new look instead! It was no less than a glow up for me, something which was appreciated by those around me with enthusiasm. I invested more in personal grooming like minimal makeup (does sunscreen paired with kajal, mascara and lip-gloss count?) as well as haircare and skincare products, even when it felt expensive. Not going to lie, the consistency surely paid off! It made me realize that a good outfit can set the tone for the whole day, indeed.
Romanticizing the Little Things: Who says life isn’t a rom-com? Lighting candles, listening to mood-boosting playlists, or simply making my morning tea - herbal or desi - added a little magic to my everyday routine. Sitting in the college garden, watching the birds or the squirrels, taking walks in the parks or swinging with children, I made sure to make myself feel like the main character in this journey.
Acts of Love: This year, I leaned into the joy of appreciating the people in my life. Writing love letters (yes, actual letters!), spending time with loved ones, and expressing gratitude made my connections deeper and more meaningful. I tried making DIY gifts for my loved ones on their special occasions and made sure to strike deep conversations that fulfilled us both. I emerged as my most authentic self both in private and in front of people - a version of myself that I am still working on and thoroughly love. I made them smile and laugh and was even termed as a "ray of sunshine" by a friend!
Reducing Screen Time: Less Instagram, more Pinterest. Pinterest became my happy place—a space for creative inspiration without the endless scroll. I made it a point to take a break from the platform whenever the reels or posts got overly emotional or overwhelming for me - since there were instances that they made me tear up and break down. I realized the fickleness of social media and how it resulted in a lot of brain rot for me and those around. It is something that still needs a lot of improvement from my side.
Affirmations & Mindfulness: Positive affirmations and small mindfulness rituals, like deep breathing and 2-minute meditations, brought so much peace to my hectic days. I used to watch YouTube videos from creators like Lavendaire and Hum Jeetenge to keep me motivated and inspired throughout the months - especially in the mornings when I walked to the college from the Vishwavidyalaya metro station.

Wuthering heights 💖

The Not-So-Good Stuff I’m Leaving Behind ✒️

Of course, not everything worked out. Here’s what I’m consciously letting go of as I step into 2025:

Seeking Validation: Whether it was through social media, achievements, or others’ opinions, I often found myself craving validation. Yes, I accept it - I am a huge people pleaser. This year, I’m learning to trust myself more and stop chasing approval.
Materialism: Impulse shopping or buying things to fill emotional gaps? Guilty. But I’ve realized that happiness doesn’t come in shopping bags, so I’m cutting down on unnecessary spending.
Junk Food & Procrastination: Late-night snacks and endless doom-scrolling? Nope, not doing this in 2025. I’m replacing these habits with healthier choices (both for my body and mind).
Toxic People & Drama: Life’s too short to entertain negativity. I’m setting firmer boundaries and focusing on relationships that bring joy and growth.

Looking Ahead: 2025 Intentions 💖

So, what’s next? 2025 feels like a blank canvas, and I’m ready to paint it with intention, gratitude, and growth. Here’s what I’m working toward this year:

Building Energizing Habits: Morning stretches, better sleep, more reading, and less mindless scrolling. Little steps, big impact.
Romanticizing My Life (Even More): Whether it’s dressing up for no reason, journaling by candlelight, or treating myself to solo snack dates, I’m all about creating moments that feel special.
Prioritizing Mental Health: Regular check-ins with myself, learning to say “no” when needed, and being kinder to my inner critic.
Nurturing Relationships: Spending more time with people who uplift me and letting go of those who drain my energy.

Found healthy and nurturing female friendships - a feat I had deemed unattainable once.

A Thought to Leave You With 🥰

✨ I quoted a philosophy I have long lived by, this year, in my own words, like famous thinkers do, Hehe:

"Your smile is your most powerful tool when paired with a few well-chosen words. 😊"

Paired with kind, thoughtful words, your smile can light up not just your day but someone else’s too.

As we step into 2025, let’s focus on what makes us truly happy and fulfilled. Let’s be kinder to ourselves, set boundaries that protect our peace, and appreciate the journey—bumps, detours, and all.

Drew and painted something after months!

So, tell me: what are you carrying forward into 2025, and what are you leaving behind? Let’s start a conversation in the comments below! 🌟