Last night I rather apathetically closed out 2024 at home, drinking champagne out of a mug, and going to bed before the ball dropped. Because that’s how we’ve rolled throughout 2024.

All I can really say about 2024 is that it was a weird year.

The graph visually represents the kind of year I had (even though there is absolutely nothing wrong with focusing on lighter reads, it’s not my norm to read lighthearted across the board for an entire year).

I had some interesting moments in 2024, but most of it was overlaid with disinterest. I guess I felt mostly stuck and wasn’t sure how to get unstuck, if that make sense. The one really bright spot in the year was adopting Jasper. Or rather, being adopted by Jasper.

I hadn’t intended on getting another pet. I have thought about it over the past couple of years, but apathy and decision paralysis played heavily into many things. But sometimes life has different ideas and I was introduced to this kitten in a rather roundabout way and well, he picked me.

He was this cute little tabby kitten all of 3 months and 3 pounds. How could I resist?

Seriously? Could you resist all this kitten cuteness?

But other than Jasper, I feel like I rather slept-walked through the rest 2024.

Now we’re officially in 2025. A new year that will bring new opportunities, new experiences, and new adventures.

While it is starting out on rather a down note (no Madame President and a preview of the next four years dumpster fire politics happening here in DC), I do have an exciting move happening in the next couple of months. An opportunity opened for me in the last quarter of 2024 and I walked through that door and said yes. So, I’ll be relocating to Naples, Italy for work.

I also recently started writing again. A new story. The story I wrote during NaNoWriMo 2023 is still in the first draft stage. I still can’t decide whether I want to actually try to buff and polish it enough to either self-publish or attempt to get traditionally published. Two friends have copies of it, and so I’ll wait to see what they think before making a decision. In the meantime, another story is pouring out. I’m not sure where it’s going or how I’m going to get to the end, but so far, I have a bit over 18,000 words.

Then there are new books to read in 2025. And new reading goals. I have a huge stack sitting on my ottoman, waiting to be read. I think first up will be Cassandra In Reverse. I picked it up at the Denver Airport bookstore back in May and it’s slowly been yelling at me to read it. I’m trying to get as many TBRs off my shelf as possible before I move. Plus, the more books I finish, the more that end up for sale on my Pango Bookshelf. I have so many books that need good homes.

And unlike previous years, this year I have set no resolutions, no intentions, no word of the year.

I am walking into this year simply being open to adventures. This is the last year of my forties as I turn 49 this month. So 2026 means a new decade for me.

Life moves pretty fast. So this year, I plan to just live fully in the moment. To put down the phone more. To wander and explore and have adventures. To meet new people, listen to their stories, and write new stories.

So here we are at the start of 2025. Whether you have resolutions or not, whether your in a slump or coming off the best year, whether your stressed or have no worries, I send you wishes of new opportunities, new adventures, and new stories. I hope you say yes to opportunity. Say yes to adventure. Say yes and punch fear in the face and take the leap.

And let’s hope that the world find some peace and love and harmony in this new year.

Happy New Year.