Lessons & Learnings from 2024

Most years I have several quotes stashed away in preparation for this annual recap of my lessons and learnings. This year, however, I wasn’t exactly sure what this post would end up consisting of. I didn’t have any thoughts or epiphanies that stood out to me, so I took to my Pinterest boards of “encouraging and inspiring words” where I would have saved meaningful and mindful thoughts throughout the year to see what resonated and might make it on this years list of lessons and learnings.

As I scrolled through the many quotes, it didn’t take long to recall some of the ah-ha moments of 2024, those that made me think, remind me of important perspectives and solidify what this year taught me. Thank you 2024 and hello 2025. I’m excited to bring all of this with me, and have an open heart and open mind to all this year has in store.

One of my lessons and learnings from years ago was “I’ve survived 100% of my worst days”, and I’m happy to say, this is still true. When a situation arose that was not ideal, I would spend hours determining the worst case scenario. I did this so that I would be comfortable with such an outcome should it come to fruition. The truth is, it never has. So I started thinking about all the time and energy I’ve wasted on ruminating on the worst. If the odds are worst case scenario will not come to light, then why am I spending time thinking about it, wrapping my head around it and planning for it? Being a business owner, entrepreneur and team leader comes with its tough days, but they’ve all been manageable.

In 2025 I’m reframing my approach towards situations that don’t always go as planned as part of the daily dance, rather than a massive weight to overcome or unnecessary energy wasted.

In 2024 I learned I could stand up for myself and my business more than I have before. Certain circumstances brought me to a place of standing firm in my process, my beliefs, and my expertise. I got braver. After 23 years in business, I’m proud of where I am, and what I’ve accomplished. Standing up for who I am, what I value, our creativity and hard work was a huge part of what this year taught me and it feels good to take this into 2025 with me.

Here’s to more bravery in 2025!

In October my family went on a family retreat. It was spurred on by our summer vacation being full of work, missing a family member and me not feeling recharged. Exhausted from the years events and workload, we booked a spontaneous trip to the desert as a family getaway and reconnection, with each other and ourselves. My goal? To get bored.

Soon after arriving, I had an ah-ha moment that boredom was not the outcome I wanted, or needed for that matter. I don’t ever want to be bored, rather I want to be comfortable with stillness. There will always be a to-do list, but sitting in stillness during this trip created space for me to be creative. I got quiet. I rested. I recharged in the stillness. More to come on our family retreat, but this was a major takeaway of the year, the yearning for stillness and the necessity it is for my craft.

Stillness will be one of my words for 2025.

I love podcasts and regular of mine is Jenna Kutcher’s, The Goal Digger. Jenna mentioned this phrase during a recent episode as an approach to circumstances happening around her, so as not to be influenced and overcome, or drawn into unnecessary drama, emotion, or something I don’t need to concern myself with. As a people pleaser, it’s so easily to be pulled in.

Observe, don’t absorb has become a phrase I use often, silently in my mind, during times when I might otherwise have been sucked into, and it’s worked very well. Protecting my own emotions, energy, and peace is critical to being able to have the space and energy for when I actually need it, rather than being depleted because of someone else.

In 2025 I will protect who, and where I direct my energy towards.

As a new year begins, one of the biggest lessons I’m bringing over from 2024 is the ability to be honed in and focused on our ideal client. This is more meaningful than ever before and it will be a priority for me in 2025 when taking on new projects.

Working with people who are aligned in our values, respect our business practices and process, and trust our creative vision is where we’re committed to. Whether clients, suppliers, or trades, we see this as a full circle connection point that is invaluable to a successful project. This is the type of focus that will continue to result in the one of a kind interiors we create, and the heart and soul of what we do.

While this has always been an intention in my business, a re-commitment to creativity and a clearer focus on our ideal client, and project, will be at the centre of business for 2025 and beyond.

As with each new year, a refresh and reset is always welcome. I enjoy writing these posts as a reflection of the previous year and with that, intentions for the year ahead, a journal entry of sorts and commitment to my daily personal and business practices as well as the joy I continue to relish in with the work we do everyday.

Cheers to all that 2025 has in store; the good, and the exciting, the hard work and challenges, it’s all part of shaping me as a person and in my business. Thanks for following along!

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