It's the final countdown!
The clock is ticking on 2024...
60 days left in the year; can you believe it? Eeeek!
(Technically, 61 days as I’m writing, but you’ll be receiving this post tomorrow).
Where has the time gone? Certainly, I’ve been busy and ticked lots off my list, but it feels a bit like yesterday I was looking forward to some Mardi Gras pancakes, then suddenly Halloween crept up and said “boo!”
Hi, I’m Holly - coach, mindfulness facilitator and author of Zestful Zen. I write about self-care, change, personal growth, mindfulness, and purpose. If you like life to be full of zest and energy, complemented by a zen, calm mind, Zestful Zen is the community for you! 💖✨
The season of reflection
As the darker nights roll in, I’m sure I’m not alone among my northern hemisphere friends in finding myself cocooned in cosiness and contemplation.
There’s something about the change of season, the bedding down for winter, and the approaching end of another annum that makes me pause and think. I’ve been asking myself 5 questions:
Am I happy with where I am now?
Have I achieved what I wanted to?
What unexpected paths have I followed?
What have I learned along my journey?
What do I want to hit out of the park before 2024 says goodbye?
Do you feel this pull of reflection too?
I wonder how it feels in the southern hemisphere. The same calendar year, but the opposite seasons.
Does spring bring the possibility of new beginnings sooner than the rush of New Year resolutions we embrace in the north? Do you still get that end of year excitement in the run up to Christmas? Or is it more about anticipating summer holidays?
Anyway, I’m definitely in the space right now of looking both back and forwards.
So to answer my questions…
Am I happy with where I am now?
In a nutshell, yes.
I started 2024 in a very different place to where I am now. I’d reached peak dissatisfaction with my job. I was both bored and stressed out, which led me to kick the year off with a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course. It was transformative and I don’t think I’d be where I am today without it. (I certainly wouldn’t be training as a mindfulness teacher).
I’ve found a better balance this year by listening to my body and accepting its seasons. Some days and weeks I’m energised and inspired, banging out ideas, surging with fitness and enthusiasm, ticking off goals.
But I maintain my equilibrium with downtime. When I crave rest and rejuvenation, I’ve learned to listen to that little internal voice that says “slow down, take a break, it will all still be waiting when you’re ready again”.
I’ve also listened to my soul, allowing it to guide me, even when that’s meant taking tough decisions. I could have extended my Belgian contract by one year, giving me greater financial security through my transition to solopreneurship.
But while I love Belgium, I’m decidedly not in love with my job, and I know my heart would shrink a little every day if I made myself stick out another 12 months, just for money.
Yes, it’s risky taking a leap into the unknown, but I need that leap. I have faith in my abilities and with the cut-off date fast approaching I’m motivated to accelerate my actions.
Have I achieved what I wanted to?
Last night when I was journalling, I came across the goals I’d set in December for my transition to solopreneurship. A few I now know will take longer (some of my study modules are more spaced out than I hoped for).
But I’ve jumped ahead on others. I got my mindfulness facilitator qualification a month before my target. And I took imperfect action and launched my business website before I felt fully ready. I get great satisfaction working with coaching clients and it’s so exciting seeing them achieve their goals.
My greatest wins are that sense of fulfilment from my work, and the balance I have in life. Those were the big changes I wanted to see and while I’m only part way along my journey, I’m proud of where I’ve gotten to. Mission accomplished.
What unexpected paths have I followed?
Substack was the big surprise for me! This time last year, I hadn’t even heard of it.
When my career struggles peaked, a close friend sent me a gift subscription to The Step Up Club, wisely knowing that this would help me. (Side note: Kudos to for taking the brave decision to pause her Substack to refocus on other pursuits.)
I don’t think my friend could have foreseen what a world Substack opened up for me. The inspiring voices, the supportive community, the space to be and to grow.
I’d learned a bit about marketing from podcasts, so already had nascent plans to start a simple email newsletter, and eventually an online wellbeing community.
But I’d pictured this as a lonely endeavour, plugging away, building a website and email funnels in a quiet corner of the internet, wondering if anyone would ever find me. I’d never imagined a whole ecosystem existed to support creatives and creators.
And I absolutely did not consider myself “a writer”.
Substack smashed those misconceptions and reminded me that I can be whoever I want to be – if I just take chances and trust that I’ll find my own path (and voice).
Big thanks for all the encouragement I’ve received from fellow Substackers!
What have I learned along my journey?
I’ve learned to trust myself and I have renewed faith in my abilities. If I put my mind to something, I can achieve it. Sometimes there are obstacles, and it can take longer than I’d like, but I get there in the end. This time last year, I felt lost - but now I know what path to take and how to reach my goals.
Equally, I’ve learned to challenge my assumptions and question those that have become engrained. I’d never imagined myself as “a writer”, yet here I am. My Substack might be small, but I’ve gathered engaged, inspiring readers who bring joy to my day.
What do I want to hit out of the park before 2024 says goodbye?
Overall, I want to keep on keeping on, for 2024 and beyond – whether that’s maintaining my mindfulness practice (including listening to my body and soul) or staying consistent on Substack and engaging with the lovely community I’m building.
But a few specifics I’m excited about:
Learning to Podcast! I’ve just started ’s course, Perfectly Imperfect Podcasting on Substack, eeeek! I don’t have capacity this side of Christmas to start a podcast, but I’m hoping to make it one of my 2025 goals.
Completing the next module of mindfulness teacher training (I’m qualified as a facilitator, so can offer introductory courses, but this time next year I’ll be able to teach the in-depth 8-week course that I credit with transforming my life).
Sightseeing! My countdown clock is ticking faster as my move back to London approaches, so I want to take advantage of weekends in Belgium and check out places I’ve not been before (or return to old favourites).
Making the most of the seasonal slowdown. I’m embracing the shift my body and soul have steered me towards, taking time to pause and enjoy everything autumn and winter offer. My kitties are certainly appreciating the exponential increase in snuggle opportunities!
Questions for self-reflection or journalling
If you’re in the space for self-reflection, why not ask yourself the questions I did?
Am I happy with where I am now?
Have I achieved what I wanted to?
What unexpected paths have I followed?
What have I learned along my journey?
What do I want to hit out of the park before 2024 says goodbye?
Let’s share! ✨
I’d love to hear your thoughts as we edge towards the end of 2024. What are you proud of? What made you happy this year? What are you looking forward to as we turn the page on the calendar and start afresh?
Let’s have a conversation in the comments or subscriber chat. Or feel free to drop me a DM. 💬
Have a sublime Saturday, friends! 🌞
Ways to connect with me 💬
DM me, jump in the subscriber chat, or connect via my website, LinkedIn or Instagram 😁
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✨ If you haven’t already, please subscribe to Zestful Zen. Thank you lovely people! ✨
Holly! Delighted you are with us on the course. I’ve actually just renamed the course (as I closed enrolments) to Adventures in Audio as I think that says more about our perfectly imperfect journey! ✨✨