Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Memories, Growth, and Gratitude

2024 was such a whirlwind, and I honestly can’t believe that it’s completely over. Now that it’s 2025, I just wanted one last opportunity to reflect back on the year that 2024 has been. It has been probably the best year of my entire life. I laughed, cried, jumped, fell and made incredible memories that I will forever hold onto. So I'm going to be diving a little deeper into 2024, and what really made it special to me. 

Starting with the most important and biggest reason, my family. Without them, I would not be where I am today, in so many different aspects. My aunt and uncle, who were always there for me, who stood by me throughout. My cousins, who whenever we met and even when we didn’t, always supported and encouraged me as much as possible, with a lot of hugs and by playing Gartic phone! My grandparents, who always supported me with love and care, and did whatever possible to help me out. My dad, for helping me by introducing an entirely different point of view in situations. My little sister, a really annoying person sometimes, who always stands by me through everything no matter what. And most of all, my mom, for being my absolute rock through everything, hugging me during the toughest times, reminding me of the most important values and lessons which I carry with me today and being the person I can run to no matter what. This year would have not been close to how amazing it was without them. 

Another reason was my friends. My friends have always been there for me, making school a fun experience by just hanging out with them. I talk, gossip and most of all, laugh. School is way more fun with them, and I’m so grateful for all the experiences and memories I’ve made with them this year. 

Now, looking back on the achievements of this year, I’m really proud of myself. I got a part in Frozen Jr, the school musical, got into Festival Choir for the second year in a row, got into AMIS Honor Choir as an alternate, got accepted into ISTA Beijing, got an honorable mention at my second MUN conference and passed both my piano and singing Grade 6 Trinity Exams. 

2024 has been such a fantastic year, with so many achievements but also failures. There were times that I was absolutely devastated, times when I felt like giving up, but somehow, I pushed through. These moments taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of keeping faith in myself. Looking back now, I realize that even the failures shaped me, and for that, I’m grateful. 

As I step into 2025, I’m reminded of the quote “The past teaches us, the present shapes us, and the future inspires us to dream bigger than ever before.” It’s a reminder I want to carry with me as we dive into the new year. Personally, I’m excited about what’s ahead—the endless possibilities, new experiences, and opportunities to grow. I know 2025 will bring its share of challenges, but I’ve accepted that they will be there no matter what, and the only thing that we can control is how we choose to overcome them. With the love and support of my family and friends, and the lessons I’ve learned from 2024, I feel hopeful and determined to make this year just as special if not more than last year. I’m looking forward to creating more memories, chasing new dreams and embracing all the experiences to come, and I hope all of you are too. Happy New Year!