âIt's been one hell of a 365 Can you believe that we made it? We hit rock bottom and mountain top highs Trophies and scars they all faded I did some things that I wanna take back Isn't that just the way that it goes? Said goodbye to a friend, and we cried til we laughed At a bar in the town we call home...â
Dan + Shay, âHappy New Yearâ
It's the last day of 2025. In fact, we're down to less than an hour⊠Phew đźâđšÂ
In some ways, it's like New Year's Day was just yesterday. In others, it's like we've lived several lives within the calendar year.Â
I'm not sure if this year is everything I hoped it would be, wanted it to be.Â
Looking back, there are moments I'm proud of, that make me smile, that I'll remember the rest of my life. There are moments that made me push back, fight harder or times that I just let something happen because it didn't feel worth the effort.Â
I have regrets, I've made mistakes. There are plenty of items that I haven't marked off my list. Dreams that I haven't come closer to. Or new seeds that were planted on my heart. Â
You know that feeling when youâre watching a TV show week after week, and you think youâve come to expect whatâs going to happen next? But, out of nowhere Shonda Rhimes kills off your favorite character? Or thereâs a major plane crash or explosion threat at the hospital?
Thatâs what this year has felt like. Challenging. A losing battle where it didnât feel worth fighting or pushing back.
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There were so many moments, especially in just the last few weeks of this year, where Iâve had to pivot. Adjust. Find a new way or path and just make it work. So many of my relatives and others around the world, too.
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Donât get me wrong, there were a lot of bright spots. I wonât discount those glimmers and moments of hope. And weâll get to that. Itâs great to be positive and have a bright outlook on something. But, sometimes it just downright sucksâŠuntil it gets better. âThe only way out is through,â right?Â
Thatâs what this year has felt like. Challenging. Often, a losing battle. As always, it's impossible to capture a year in a quick ârecapâ as if everything is just tied up with a pretty bow and name tag ready to go. It can't be easily fit into a few collages or a highlight reel on Instagram. Or even this newsletter/post.Â
There were tears, belly aching laughter, favorite albums (TLOAS) on repeat in the car or at my desk. Countless coffees. Rants in text messages to my best friends. Deep conversations as I searched for more and pulled back the layers. There were celebrations that made my fangirl heart so happy. There were prayers cried out, scribbles in a prayer journal, playlists made to process life, ideas that didn't come to life and others that did. There were proud moments where I felt like I knew what I was doing and others where I questioned everything.Â
"I've kept my head down grinding Just looked up and realized it Damn, it's been a year
And I ain't sayin' it ain't been a good one It's been a "did a lot more than I thought I could" one It's been 365 of record lows and record highs Loving and losing, fun and confusing, praying and shifting gears For the minute you got, it's probably a lot, more than you wanna hear So all I'll say is, it's been a yearâŠ"
Ashley Cooke, âIt's Been a Yearâ
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What are your favorite moments from this year?
What are you most proud of? Biggest challenge?
What will next year hold for us? What will we become?
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Write it down. Hold onto it. Say a prayer and go for it!
