“Remember who you are and what you’ve done.” – Alexandra Franzen
As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect—not just on the challenges you’ve faced but on the victories you’ve achieved, the lessons you’ve learned, and the ways you’ve grown. It’s easy to get caught up in what didn’t go as planned or the areas where things still feel incomplete. But today, I want to shift that focus. Take a moment—right here, right now—to truly celebrate you.
During my toughest moments, I’ve often overlooked my progress. Sometimes, I get caught up in the trap of how I thought things should go. I’ve had to learn to realign those expectations, take a step back, and ask myself, What were my wins this year? When I pause to reflect, I see the answers more clearly. This was one full year of growth, and when I stopped to really take it in, I said, “WOW!”
Think about it for a moment. Facing your fears? That’s a victory. Taking even the smallest step forward when the road feels impossibly long? That’s courage. Growth is rarely linear—it’s messy, it’s hard, and sometimes it feels like you’re going in circles. But every step, every stumble, and every stride is proof of your strength.
For me, this year became less about rushing toward “the next thing” and more about slowing down and listening to my own needs. I stopped, removed myself from the rush, and hid myself away in a cocoon—a safe space for resting and processing, waiting for what’s next. That quiet time became part of my (ongoing) transformation.
I realized that there were two major lessons for me this year:
- Realigning myself on a new path. A path that’s all mine—not one shaped by others’ expectations or societal pressures. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been necessary to lay the foundation for this new story I’m writing for myself. I learned to free myself completely.
- Learning to slow down. Instead of jumping from one thing to the next, I’ve learned to take time to process and integrate my experiences. This has been a work in progress (and still is), but it’s been worth every moment.
This phase has been about starting fresh, allowing myself to feel all the emotions, taking the time to rest, and preparing to rise again—stronger, more whole, and more aligned with who I truly am.
Every time you get back up, every tiny moment you move closer to your most authentic self, you’re creating something beautiful. Growth is happening, even if it looks nothing like you imagined. And that? That’s worth celebrating.
A Year of Wins and Lessons
If I’m being honest, this year tested me in ways I never expected. It didn’t go according to plan—at all. The first three months were a whirlwind of endless work. I’d carried the momentum of Fall 2023 into the new year without stopping (I couldn’t stop). The little time I had to rest for Christmas break was spent preparing for the holidays and finalizing my book’s design for publication. (My passion project that I finally had time to finish). I didn’t have any space to recover. I thought maybe I could see how things go (with my job) in the spring and see if it gets better. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. My workload was actually tripled (gasp).
I was mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. I reached a breaking point where I thought, If I’m going to work this hard, I want it to be for me—not for people who don’t value what I bring to the table. That’s when I made a bold decision to leave my stable job and step into the unknown.
At first, I believed I’d take a short break—maybe a month—and then jump full steam ahead into the land of self-employment. But the moment I stopped, my body gave out. It was as though all the exhaustion I’d been suppressing caught up to me at once. Small tasks felt like mountains. This wasn’t just a transition; it was a reckoning. For the first time in my life, I truly stopped.
It felt foreign and even frustrating at times. I’ve always been overambitious and incredibly hardworking, someone who hops from one thing to the next, but this time, I wanted it to be different. I wanted to rest—to heal. Looking back, I wish I had been more forgiving with myself, allowing more time for grace and recovery.
Even so, in the midst of uncertainty, I accomplished so much more than I realized at first. Here are my wins that I’m celebrating—and I hope they inspire you to reflect on your own wins too, big or small.
My Wins This Year
- I quit my job to relieve myself from burnout and carve out a path that’s authentically mine.
- I stepped out of my comfort zone and (got comfortable) on Green Cardigan Counseling’s podcast Get Comfortable (with Maggie Smith).
- I self-published my first book, selling 50 copies and giving away 26!!!
- I launched my blog, Bold and Lively, started an online shop, and prepped for my newsletter.
- My book found a home in a local bookshop, Texas Star Trading Company—a full-circle moment for me.
- I began therapy, investing in my mental and emotional well-being.
- I returned to the hospitality industry (something I said I’d never do again!), but it was worth it for the right people.
- I explored new creative outlets through grant-writing freelance work with Curtis-Carr Consulting!
- I added two new beautiful tattoos to my body and got pierced by Sorren.
- I learned bartending for fun (and work, hehe)—because why not?
- I took control of my personal finances, created a budget, and paid down some debt. This was a toughie!
- I prioritized rest and gave myself permission to recharge.
Your Journey Deserves Celebration
These are my wins—but now, I want to turn the focus to you.
What are your victories this year? What have you conquered, embraced, or learned? Even if it feels small, it matters. Take a moment to write them down—everything, every step forward.
Maybe you started a new habit, left behind something that no longer served you, or finally asked for the help you needed. Those are achievements, too.
Life isn’t about perfection. It’s about discovering your capacity to grow, adapt, and thrive—even in the face of difficulty. And as you close this chapter and step into the next, I hope you carry with you this truth: You are enough.
Your resilience, your courage, and your determination are worth honoring—not just today, but every single day.
Take this moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate everything you’ve done and everything you are becoming.
Your story is unfolding exactly as it’s meant to.
🧡🩷Katie🧡🩷