2024 - A year in review

Here we go again. My year in review 2024. This time organised by highs, lows and lessons learned.

Highlights: 

Everything that went well for me this year:

Trips out of London

Several times this year me and my friends jumped on a train out of town, hiking boots on our feet. After 30 - 90 minutes we arrive at some small place, mostly south of London.

The change of scene immediately feels like holiday. Take a deep breath and let’s go. Through woods and fields, along cliffs and up hills. And it’s not just the hike itself or the scenery. It’s the train journey to get there. Drinking coffee, sharing pastries, and life updates. The picnic break with homemade sandwiches and cakes or sweets. The pint afterwards with tired legs. The train journey back, too exhausted to talk. The comfortable quiet. 

I’m planning to continue doing these trips as often as I can.

Skiing

In March I learnt how to ski. I finally understand what it’s all about. No matter how often Harry told me it’s not just about the skiing, but about being outside in the mountains, endless snow and clean air. Until this year, I couldn’t understand why so many people strap boards under their feet every year and hurtle down a mountain at speed. Now I do.

One of my top days of the past year was the Thursday on our ski trip. Most of our 10 people crew were too hungover to make it to the slopes. I didn’t dare drink much the night before as I wanted to make my ski lesson. Rozzy and I turn up, do our lessons. It’s the first day I feel quite comfortable on my skies. We meet Harry and another friend for lunch, rest and regain some energy for the afternoon ahead. Then we take off together. Up and down the slopes. The sky so blue, almost unreal against the white mountains. So much fun! Being in the mountains with your friends, stopping for chocolat chaud. Lie in some deckchairs, taking off jackets because the sun is so warm. We’re so far away from the real world. Ultimate bliss. 

The next trip is booked already, and I can’t wait!

Halfmarathon

I never thought I’d even think about doing it. I always hated running at school. But for some reason I did it.

It’s a hot day in May. The crowd is amazing, supporting the entire length of the route. I love the first half. Then I go downhill. Especially mentally. Asking myself how I could ever sign up to this, even pay money for it. I swear to never do it again. Almost collapse on the finish line.

Alcohol free beer and chocolate bring me back to life.

I feel so proud.

Six months later I sign up to another half marathon. It can only get better, I guess?

House

We moved into our house a little over a year ago. For the past 12 months, we’ve spent many weekends painting, finding furniture, sorting and repairing. We’ve been gardening, harvesting and learning a lot.

And even though we’re not quite done yet, it feels so much like home.

We now have a dining room and since a few weeks ago we even have chairs. Meaning, we don’t have to move chairs back and forth between the kitchen and dining room anymore. For me, cooking for my friends is the best thing ever. Planning a menu, shopping, spending the day in the kitchen and then enjoying delicious food with my loved ones. Hosting dinner parties has become a new hobby for me.

Summer

Even if the summer wasn’t quite as bright and hot and sunny, as I’d come to expect it, I still enjoyed it to the fullest.

I harvest a bowl of raspberries every day, dance at festivals in London parks and at a friends’ wedding in the countryside. I spend two nights with Harry on a vineyard in Surrey. When the sun is shining, I lie in the garden reading my book.

Those happy moments make up for the rain.

Travel

As well as our skiing holiday and several stops in Germany to visit family and friends, Harry and I went to Croatia in September. The place where we met 10 years ago.

We fly to Split and spend two days there before taking the ferry to the island of Bol and three days later to the island of Korçula. In the end, we spend two nights in Dubrovnik. We fall in love with the good wine, the small alleys, the turquoise sea, the hospitality. Don’t want to leave it another 10 year before we visit again.

In November, I spent an extended weekend with my mum in Lisbon. We meet at the airport and check into our Airbnb, which sits on the highest of the seven mountains. We walk a lot, enjoy the winter sun and being together. We eat pasteis de nata, drink wine and feel our legs at the end of each day. So nice, so fun. We want to do this every year now. Next year we’ll go to Seville.

Work

In the summer, I parted ways with the company I’d been working for for years. It was time, and the many changes that were coming made it easy for me to make that decision. At the same time, I decided to continue working as a freelancer. I wanted to give it a try at least once. My friend and former colleague Anna and I teamed up and finally started working together again. Together, we’re called Studio Mailo, and we help companies in the food and beverage sector with their marketing.

I enjoy being in control of my own time and feel as productive as never before. The first six months went well and I’m looking forward to everything still to come.

30th birthday

In October, I turned 30 and invited all my loved ones to London. I wrote a whole article about it. In short, it was simply the best weekend of the year. Having all my friends and closest family in one room was such an amazing and beautiful experience. I was so excited beforehand and high on love for days after. Never have I spent money more wisely.

Lows: 

It’s easy to talk about the good things. But I believe it’s equally important to talk about those things, that didn’t go so well. It’s important to me to be honest and transparent. Here’s what comes to mind:

Injured and sick

During the half marathon, I injured my knee so I couldn’t run at all for the following two months. I felt so frustrated as I was finally getting into it and even enjoying the longer runs. Even when my knee got better after a lot of rest and exercise, I could only run slowly and short distances.

At the end of the year, I was also struck down with several colds. As soon as one went, the next one arrived. I was exhausted and depressed. I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t getting better despite eating a healthy diet. Time, it seemed, was the only healer.

House

Realising that everything to do with the house is expensive. Anything that needs to be repaired will cost at least £500, even if it only takes half an hour. The furniture we like is expensive. Quality wall paint is expensive. Heating costs are expensive. And even if all this sounds obvious and we were aware of it in advance, the sum of things is eye-opening and frustrating at times.

Work

The first six months of being a freelancer were great. Anna and I had a big client and a few other smaller ones. When the big client told us they were going to extend their contract with us for another six months, we couldn’t believe our luck. It didn’t last long, though. Just before Christmas they told us they were closing their business at the end of the year and didn’t have any more work for us. It felt like a slap in the face.

Suddenly not knowing exactly where and when your next income will come from is scary. Holiday planning is put on hold and eating out no longer feels good.

Lessons

What I’ve learned this year:

Talk about it when you feel low. Talking to friends about worries and anxieties is so helpful. I sometimes don’t want to load my stuff on other people and keep quiet. I have learned not to do that anymore. Just saying something out loud, getting it out of your head, helps. Often friends can open up different perspectives and help to look at the problem from different angles. The solution might be closer than you think.

Call your grandparents, you never know how long they will be around for. Make the effort and you will be amazed at how much wisdom you can gain in a short conversation.

Rest. Listen to your body. Do not exercise until you are fully recovered. Even after just a little cold. Give yourself time. I will try to keep reminding myself of this.

Enjoy the process! When we moved into our house in December 2023, I thought we’d be done with most of the stuff by the end of January. Seems crazy in hindsight. Even though we didn’t move into a “project house,” we’re still not “done.” And we probably never will be. I’ve learned to enjoy the process instead of rushing to the finish line. It’s okay to spend weeks on end not working on the house. It’s good to take time to really think about what you want and what you need. I now enjoy every new thing we add to the house. A freshly painted room, a new cushion on the sofa, how I arranged the books on the shelf. I find pleasure in the small steps without focussing to much on the end goal. I can’t wait for more small steps in the new year.

Bring your own Sandwich to the Airport. It used to be a highlight for me to sit at the airport, drink coffee and eat a sandwich. I’ve done it too often by now. It’s expensive and unsatisfying. Now I celebrate making a delicious sandwich exactly to my liking at home and enjoying it at the gate or on the plane. Much cheaper, much healthier. Life hack.

Learn something new! This year, I learned how to ski. It’s not always easy and takes some effort feeling like a beginner again. But learning something new from scratch is such a great way of expanding your mind. The beauty of being an adult is that we can choose what we want to learn. It’s a privilege that I want to savior even more in the new year.

Summary

Overall, it was a really good year for me. I spent a lot of time with friends and family, made our house a home and starte working for myself full-time. However, the loss of a major client just before Christmas left me shaken. It’s so easy to just wanting to give up. And at least in terms of work, there’s an uncertain time ahead. But at the same time, I know deep down that I can do it, that there are still so many possibilities waiting for me. I’m starting the new year with butterflies in my tummy. I look forward to new challenges and learn to welcome them with open arms.