The Soundtrack of 2024

Every year has its own soundtrack, a collection of songs that resonate with the moments we live. For me, 2024 was a symphony of growth, struggle, and quiet triumphs, and each chapter of my life was accompanied by a melody that seemed to know me better than I knew myself. As I look back, these songs tell my story in a way words never could.

January: Starting with Hope

"Unstoppable" by Sia

The year began with lofty goals and a fiery determination. Sia's powerhouse anthem, "Unstoppable," became my morning ritual, blaring through my headphones as I scribbled New Year resolutions into my journal. The song's message of resilience was my mantra; I was ready to conquer the world, or so I thought.

March: The Struggle Creeps In

"When It Rains" by Paramore

By March, the weight of life started to press down. Bills mounted, my toddler's cries became endless, and my creative spark began to dull. "When It Rains" by Paramore was mirroring the storm I felt brew in me. Late at night, sitting in the dark, it made me feel a little less lonely as Hayley Williams' voice captured my frustration and exhaustion.

May: Finding Strength Again

"Rise Up" by Andra Day

The turning point came on a quiet evening in May. Sitting in my car after a long chaotic day, Andra Day's "Rise Up" came on the radio. Something in her soulful and determined voice stirred me. I realized I couldn't let chaos define me. I began to take small steps to reclaim my energy and focus. I would rise again, even if it was slow and unsteady.

July: Delight in the Mundane

"Sunroof" by Nicky Youre and Dazy

Summer brought a few transitory moments of delight that tasted like the sun after rain. Dancing with my kids in the kitchen, their laughter ringing, "Sunroof" became the score to those moments. It's a song about simplicity and joy, and for those fleeting moments, I felt free and alive.

September: Quiet Contemplation

"Exile" by Taylor Swift ft. Bon Iver

As autumn crept in, I found myself reflecting both on my relationships with others and the one within. Taylor Swift's "Exile" repeated in this introspective evening space. With its haunting melody and equally bittersweet lyrics, it found a parallel expression of this complexity that emotions had now taken. I realized part of growth teaches you when to hang on, and when to just let be.

November: Triumph Amidst Self-Doubt

"Shake It Out" by Florence + The Machine

By November, the fog began to lift. "Shake It Out" by Florence + The Machine became my anthem as I started to believe in myself again. The lyrics, "It's always darkest before the dawn," reminded me that every struggle has an end, and I danced to it like I was shaking off the weight of the year.

December: Gratitude and Peace

"Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House

As 2024 winds down, “Don’t Dream It’s Over” is my song of choice. Its calming melody feels like a warm embrace, and its lyrics remind me to cherish what I’ve built and survived this year. It’s not a song of endings but of continuance—a reminder that life, like music, is a journey that keeps evolving.

The Playlist That Tells My Story

The songs, in retrospect, speak not of my struggles but my resilience. It became a companion that walked with me through my lowest moments and celebrated my victories, however small.

As I get ready for 2025, this soundtrack stays with me, knowing that life will bring new melodies and lyrics that will shape the next chapter of my story. For now, though, I hit play, letting the music remind me of how far I've come—and how much more I'm capable of.

What's your soundtrack for 2024? I hope it's filled with songs that remind you of your strength, your joy, and the beauty in every note of your journey.