The end of the year is upon us and I have no doubt you are seeing the same social media posts that talk about what people have learned, accomplished, and experienced this year. In that spirit, I decided to create my own list of what I accomplished in 2024.

1. I got through each day– This may not seem like much of an accomplishment, but it is. I got through the days that were easy and I fought my way through the days when giving up would have been so much easier.
2. I practiced gratitude– I ended each day with at least one thing that I was grateful for that day. There were days this practice was incredibly easy and my list of gratitude overflowing. And then there were days where I really had to look and dig for what I was grateful for.
3. I put myself first– As a recovering people pleaser, this one is a daily challenge. I have learned though with my illnesses that I have to put myself first. I have to disappoint people, change plans, cancel plans at the last minute, say no, and let go of commitments I said yes to all in the name of taking care of me. It is not easy, it’s not comfortable, it’s judged by some, and it’s caused me to lose friendships, but taking care of me has to be my priority right now.
4. I invited grief in– This was by far my least favorite accomplishment. Grief has been my companion all year. We started out the year mortal enemies with me doing everything in my power to run away from her and ignore her. We are ending the year as frenemies. I have accepted that she is a passenger on my journey, but still don’t enjoy when she hits me with random waves of tears when I’m in Target, driving by a school, watching a Christmas concert, etc. Her timing still sucks.
5. I laughed– This year despite all the challenges was full of laughter. The kind of laughter that makes your belly hurt, your eyes water, and fills the air with snorts.
6. I lived- Life and living look different now and I am still coming to terms with how to have a life that feels full and sparks a flame in my soul while also living with illnesses that require a more simple and subdued life. But this year I lived. I went to the forest more times than I can count, I took myself on dates, I volunteered, I spent countless hours with dear friends, I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone, etc. In between the never ending appts and the 2 hour daily morning routine that feels like I am running my own rehabilitation center, I still lived.

I realize this list of accomplishments looks very different than the list of accomplishments you’ve seen on social media, but I think it is important to celebrate that for some people that which seems easy like getting through each day is in fact an accomplishment. We often compare our year end accomplishments to others and I would guess that comparison leaves most of us feeling like we didn’t accomplish enough. I am here to tell you there is no “enough”. Whatever you accomplished this year is worthy of celebration. Whether you scaled mountains, changed lives, or put one foot in front of the other and made it through each day, they are all accomplishments worth celebrating.

As you look back on the year do so with love and grace. Know that you did your best with the information and resources you had at the time. Love yourself for the moments you were human. Let go of feeling like you didn’t do enough, accomplish enough, or you aren’t enough. Be grateful you made it through another year. Know that the light within you continues to shine and that your light made a difference this year regardless of how long your list of accomplishments is.