Closing the Door on a Tough Year: Welcoming the New Year with Strength

As the clock ticks toward midnight, I find myself reflecting, not with champagne in hand or fireworks on my screen, but with a quiet determination to leave this year behind. Truth be told, this has been a year I am more than ready to close the door on.

There is a societal expectation to always look on the bright side, to package every year with a neat little bow and label it as "a learning experience" or "a chapter of growth." But this year, I have learned that it is okay to call it as it is: a bad year. We have bad meals, bad days, and bad weeks, so why not a bad year? Acknowledging that does not make me any less grateful for the good moments—it just makes me human.

This year brought its fair share of challenges, ones I would not wish on anyone. But amidst the hard days were sparks of light that I treasure deeply. I think of the trips to Mendocino with my parents and my husband, the laughter shared over countless meals, and the joy of building this blog and business. I am endlessly grateful for the amazing people I met through this platform and the supportive community that welcomed me with open arms.

These moments were the silver linings in a year that often felt heavy. They reminded me to appreciate what I have, especially my family and my husband, who have been my anchors through it all. They reminded me that even in the darkest times, there is always a flicker of light worth holding onto.

Looking ahead, I do not expect the New Year to magically solve everything. The lessons of this year have taught me that change does not come from the clock striking midnight; it comes from within. This year taught me to be proud of myself, to lean into my resilience, and to cherish the love and strength of those around me.

So as I turn in for the night, I am not waiting for the fireworks or the countdown. I am simply ready. Ready to let go of what was, ready to embrace what will be, and ready to carry the lessons of this year forward.

Here is to a new year—one that I hope will be kinder, brighter, and filled with moments that make us smile. But for now, I will start with gratitude: gratitude for surviving, for growing, and for the people who make it all worth it.

Happy New Year, from my heart to yours.