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New Hope for the New Year

By the time December rolls around, I’m already mapping out my goals and planning the side-quest challenges I want to tackle. Yes, I’m one of those people. I wholeheartedly believe in New Year’s resolutions and setting intentions for the year ahead. For me, it’s not just about making a list; it’s about creating a blueprint for success. And honestly, eight times out of ten, I accomplish my goals without even realizing it. There’s something powerful about setting your intentions with God or the universe—it’s like planting seeds for growth in the year to come. And like I said eight out of ten times I do! My hit ratio is pretty high!

While many people find this to be cheesy or not helpful at all, I invite you to ask yourself why. Is it because you lack self-discipline? Is it because you don’t think you need to grow? Or maybe it is because you think this is silly and don’t believe in manifestation. Whatever the case may be, I hope you wouldn’t mind if instead of talking about my new missions and goals I list all the things I have learned in 2024.

Lessons Learned

This year, in particular, has illuminated the potential I carry into 2025. I find myself excited for the new year—not just for the fresh goals and side quests, but also because of the many lessons 2024 has taught me. Lessons I’m eager to carry forward.

2024 was not my best year, nor was it my easiest or most rewarding. It was a year marked by mental hardships I alone fully understand and emotions that many 20-somethings know all too well. But before diving into the details, here’s a list of what this year has taught me:

1. Self-isolation is when you experience self-reflection.
2. Movement every day makes you happier.
3. My actions have consequences.
4. No decision is still a decision.
5. Mind over matter.
6. Money makes the world go ’round.
7. Going to the gym is a luxury.
8. Others’ perception of me has nothing to do with me.
9. The food we in-take in the upmost importance.
10. Knowledge is power.
11. Self-discipline and self-reflection go hand in hand.
12. Having time is freedom.

Initially, I considered crafting twenty-four insights to align with 2024, but that felt like overkill. Instead, I chose to focus on twelve—the months of the year—each representing a lesson, moment, or revelation from my life.

Starting with the first one for January: “Self-isolation is when you experience self-reflection.” That month marked the beginning of my climb out of a deep slump. Looking back, I realize that if it hadn’t been for that period of intense self-isolation, I wouldn’t have the need to create my own community. It was like being at rock bottom and the only way I could go was up.

What helped me break free from my slump was relocating to Midtown. The change of scenery brought incredible perks—the best among them, the ability to move. It’s such a simple concept yet living in a place where I can walk to coffee shops, grocery stores, restaurants completely transformed my mental and physical health. At first, I didn’t understand the hype, but now I see the power of movement—how it adds energy and vitality to daily life.

This wasn’t always an option for me, though. City living comes with a hefty price tag, one I could only afford due to a mix of circumstances and blessings. No way I could afford to live in a city by myself with a part time job. So, to reap all benefits from my blessing, I sought the company of others. In a very slow, mammoth type of way but I quickly realized something unsettling. There’s a phrase I often hear in Sacramento: “It is so hard to make friends here” or “Sacramento isn’t very lively for young adults”.  And while it is true Sacramento is a hard place to make friends in your early 20-somethings I believe, it’s everywhere. In that same breath, I realized my actions have consequences. And yes, I mean in a childish way, I joined a book club and in return I was building connections left and right. It was so easy! I just had to join something, put myself in a position to receive and just like that I did.

By July, I had settled into my new routine and discovered a renewed passion for writing, editing, and drafting. Ideas flowed naturally, and for the first time, I began to wonder: What if I pursued this professionally? That thought led me down the rabbit hole of researching graduate programs, comparing what I wanted to pursue with what would be financially worthwhile. I was happy with my routine, but I needed something that paid the bills.

Eventually, I circled back to an old dream: law school. It was a goal I had shelved out of fear of the hard work, the time, the money, and, most of all, the person I might become. That future version of me felt too bright, too accomplished, and far beyond my current self. I was intimidated by her potential, so I did nothing to bridge the gap. It took months of mental gymnastics and days of feeling overwhelmed with this decision. The more I thought about it, the more days when by without me doing anything. Until the quote hit me, “No decision is still a decision.” My fear paralysis was a decision, and I had to ask myself, was my fear going to win, or was I? I decided enough was enough. It was my mindset versus what truly matter, the view of my finish line, what I wanted there to be. It was the ultimate battle of mind versus matter.

I knew there were perks to being a lawyer, a sense abundance of professional opportunities and of course everyone’s favorite the money; “Money makes this world go ‘round”. Ugh, beech I hate it, but it is so true. I was never one to choose the money over my passion. And you might be thinking, “Well aren’t you because you want to be a lawyer?” and in a way I am but it is something I also am very good at. Hell, I have a blog section on philosophy, and I love to yap! When you put it like that or if you even had a conversation with me then you know this is the path for me.

While all of this was happening behind everything was my core, fitness and health. Even after 4 years of working out there are still so many new ideas, I learn about myself or society. In particular, if you hadn’t guessed yet, “going to the gym is a luxury.” I work part time, meaning I don’t have a demanding schedule and it’s in person. I have been accustomed to working out in the morning like 9 AM. Do you know how many people there are at the gym when I go? No offense to anyone but it is majority stay at home moms and dads or people over 50. There are very few 20-somethings that go at that time which makes sense because people work full time! I forget that…and when I go to work at 11 AM I am hit with the reminder which leads me down a rabbit hole of people lacking fitness and health goals in their day to day.

That idea baffles me. I’m all for the gym, lifting weights, and embracing fitness. But there are so many people who simply can’t fit it into their day. It’s heartbreaking. Remember the second rule? Movement makes you happier—it just does! There’s so much science backing it up, countless studies proving that movement is essential. And yet, life is so heavy, so demanding, that many people can’t carve out the time. It’s a reflection of American ideals: sacrificing yourself just to survive.

This extends to our food system, too—the way the FDA sets weak boundaries for companies feeding us chemicals. It’s nearly impossible to avoid them unless you shop exclusively at places like Erewhon, Whole Foods, or other high-end grocery stores and spend hundreds of dollars each week. The food we eat fuels our bodies, powers our movement, and sustains our brain functions; the food we in-take in the upmost importance. Yet so much of it is working against us.

I’m just trying to live—like everyone else. But it’s so hard. The pressure is relentless, and while some will fall, others will rise. This year, I’ve learned one of the most important and difficult lessons of my life: “Other people’s perceptions of me have nothing to do with me.” My God, it took me 23 years to finally let that go, but I’ve done it.

I’ve lived in my shell for far too long, but I’ve outgrown it. I’m ready to just be me. I no longer worry if people think I’m too revealing, too weak, or too mean-mugging. Worrying changes nothing. What does make a difference is your perception—because with that comes the possibility of truly connecting with me—especially now, after everything that has happened.

By the end of the year, America witnessed horrendous events. One, in particular, reignited the rage I thought I had buried deep within myself: the election. Part of me would love to believe it was rigged, but the truth is clear—the American people chose him. Why? That’s the question I’ve been wrestling with ever since.

There’s a growing disconnect between knowledge and people. Many analysts described this election as a battle between the educated and the non-educated, and the results, along with the exit poll questions, made that divide blatantly clear. It is a part of the looooong history red and blue with that I say, knowledge is power. Read the history and use critical thinking skills, that is my advice.

Once you uncover this missing key, it becomes clear that many people lack self-reflection because they lack self-discipline. Self-discipline and self-reflection go hand in hand. Self-discipline is the new currency I strive for. It’s about doing the hard work, making sacrifices for a greater reward, and resisting societal norms to shape your own authentic sense of personhood. And with self-discipline comes something even more valuable: time. Having time is freedom—the freedom to reflect, freedom to take care of yourself, freedom to explore life and all it crevasses.

From Fallin’ in the Snow

stepping back to observe life from a distance. Its circular rhythm and layered voices remind me of how easily we can fall into patterns without realizing it. But they also highlight the beauty of being present and intentional—of breaking free from mindless repetition.

In a way, White Winter Hymnal feels like an anthem for self-discipline and reflection. Its haunting melody serves as a reminder to slow down, embrace the moment, and carve out time for what truly matters. Because, ultimately, having time is freedom—and freedom is the most precious gift we can give ourselves.

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