End of year reflections: The Unseen Growth and Quiet Achievements.
- Alexandra Barteneva
- Jan 2
- 3 min read
As 2024 drew to a close, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the year had passed in the blink of an eye. Yet, when I paused to reflect, I realized that I hadn’t quite done—or at least didn’t feel like I’d done—anything significant. For someone who usually thrives on year-end reflections, I found myself resisting the urge to celebrate the wins, big and small, the moments of growth, and the shifts I had experienced. Normally, I love sitting down and taking stock of everything I’ve accomplished. It’s how I find closure and a sense of accomplishment, even if it’s just in the form of small personal milestones.
This year, however, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. The idea of compiling my thoughts felt almost out of reach. I gave in to the “trend” of the end-of-year collage, deciding to make one for myself as a sort of personal memory board. As I sifted through the photos I had taken over the past year, I was struck by how much had actually happened. Every single picture represented a moment in time—an emotion, a memory, a milestone. It was a tangible reminder that even though I might have felt like I was standing still in the grand scheme of things, life had been moving all along.
The truth is, 2024 was far from insignificant. It was filled with change and new experiences, even if I didn’t always recognize it at the time. I started a new corporate job—an exciting and slightly nerve-wracking step in my career. I moved in with my partner, marking a new chapter in our relationship and a shift in how we shared our lives. I celebrated two beautiful weddings, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones along the way. I travelled to new places, danced more than I ever thought I would, and spent an absurd amount of time packing and unpacking (far too much, honestly).
On top of all that, I also dedicated myself to teaching yoga more consistently, and I made space to share my practice with others. Each of these moments, individually, may not have seemed earth-shattering at the time, but together they form the story of my year. And suddenly, when I took a step back, 2024 didn’t feel so insignificant after all.
What I realized through this process is something that I’ve often heard but didn’t fully internalize until now: It’s all about perspective. Sometimes, when you’re in the thick of it, it’s hard to see the bigger picture. It’s easy to feel like you’re not accomplishing enough, or that you’re not making the progress you hoped for. But in truth, every small action, every decision—whether it was the choice to rest, reflect, or push forward—shapes who you are and where you’re headed.
The key is giving yourself permission to recognize those moments. So often, we wait for big milestones to give ourselves credit, but the little things—the quiet days, the restful evenings, the everyday choices—are just as important. They might not always seem like progress, but they build up over time, creating the foundation for bigger things.
And that’s where the magic lies. It’s not just about reaching the destination; it’s about acknowledging the journey. It’s about giving yourself credit for the things you did, even if they weren’t “grand” in the traditional sense. Every photo, every conversation, every quiet moment spent reflecting—these are all parts of the life I’m creating, one small step at a time.
So, as I look back on 2024, I’m choosing to honour every little thing that made this year what it was. I’m grateful for all the moments—big and small—that have led me to where I am today. And I’m reminding myself that even on days when it felt like I didn’t do anything, I was doing something important: I was living. I was growing. And I was paving the way for the next chapter, one that I’ll get to look back on with the same sense of gratitude and recognition.
Because in the end, life isn’t just about the big things. It’s about all the little things that add up and make up the bigger picture. And for that, I’m endlessly grateful.
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