This is usually the week I’d share a big, over-the-top recap of the year.

But… 2024? It’s been A LOT. Like, cram-18-years-of-character-development-into-12-months kind of a lot.

So instead of grinding through the final week of the year, I’ve leaned into something radical: rest.

(With a side quest to Marshalls, where I bought a jacket and sweater I absolutely didn’t need. No regrets.)

2024 was packed with highlights, breakthroughs, and those “Wait… HOW did I not see that before?” moments that shifted who I am.

The version of me who existed on December 31, 2023? Yeah, he didn’t make it.

Every year, I pick a word or phrase to set my intention. For 2024, I chose: Clarity of Vision.

At the time, I thought I was asking for a little guidance—a gentle nudge to get out of my own way.

Instead, here’s what I actually got:

• Purpose: Uncovering the real why behind everything I do. I genuinely believe art is for everyone and joy is the revolution.
   
• Direction: Finally defining success on my terms, not someone else’s.
   
• Focus: Cutting out all the noise and distractions.
   
• Alignment: Confidently bridging the gap between my values and my actions.
   
• Perspective: Stepping back and seeing the big picture of who I am and what I’m here to create.

2024 didn’t just nudge me toward clarity—it threw me into the deep end, stripped away every excuse, and said, “Sink or swim, buddy.”

I swam… but, honestly, there was a lot of floating and basic doggie paddling along the way.

Here’s the wild part, though—I finally accepted myself.

Like, in a real, undeniable way. No more caveats. No more pretending. No more self-policing.

Just me, showing up fully as myself.

Which brings me to yesterday: my final boss fight of the year—my fear of being cringe.

I used to hold back. 

Not because I couldn’t give 100%, but because I was afraid of being seen trying.

So, I did the cringiest thing I could think of.

I learned a TikTok dance. And I posted it.

Not as a joke. Not ironically. 

I did it because I like the song. I like learning line dances.

And honestly? Two-stepping out of my comfort zone felt… amazing.

2024 wasn’t the perfect Instagram highlight reel. 

It was messy, uncomfortable, and sometimes f*cking terrible.

But it was about growth. Change. Showing up fully, even when it felt awkward.

Which makes me think… 2025? I’m calling it my year of: Joyful Abundance.

What about you? What’s your word or phrase for the new year?