2024-The Year That Did Not Give Me What I Wanted But Gave Me Exactly What I Needed

Well, here we are, 2024 winding up. Honestly, I don't even know how it happened. One minute, I was counting the days, waiting for what felt like a kid waiting for summer vacation; the next, staring at the calendar, wondering, Wait, it's December? It just whizzed past. Before I know it, it will be too late. But going back in hindsight, I almost feel like 2024 has given me that perfect lesson. It's just not Instagrammable like success would be, but so much more valuable.

Let’s be honest: success is often overrated. It’s the sparkle, the theatrics, the “look at me” moments that draw in all the likes and attention, but what do they truly signify? Not much, to be frank. This year, I didn’t pursue success. Instead, I concentrated on qualifying. You know, the genuine work. The kind where you just show up every day, whether you are winning or losing, and just keep pushing forward because you know it's going to count in the long run. 2024 didn't hand me a golden trophy, but it taught me the power of steady, working hard even when no one's looking. And I am perfectly okay with that. Seriously.

Take my law entrance exams, for example. Was I really doing all right? Was I scoring some record that had been reported in the news? No. Did I pass, though? Yes, I did. And that is what mattered. The actual success was not in the scores but in that I kept trying, kept learning, and kept working hard. Success is not necessarily defined by a high score or a shining certificate. It is the slow and steady progress that counts most.

And then there are the people. Ah, people. 2024 had a little surprise for me there. You know: people who arrive when you need them, not people looking to find a reason to bring you down. I spent so much time this year saying goodbye to the bad people that only come around when they want something or when they have a problem. Right? Well, here's the surprise: 2024 brought me some of the best people I have ever met. They came into my life completely out of nowhere, and I really believe that the universe knew exactly what I needed. These are the people who keep me going and give good feelings when I feel low. They remind me that not everyone wants to take away your happiness. Instead, some people want to make life better. To them, I say, thank you. You came into my life when I needed help, and you made 2024 much easier.

Now, let's talk about family and friends. You are the hidden heroes of this whole journey. 2024 had many times when I wondered, Why am I even doing this? And you all, with your constant support, always reminded me why. You really made it easier for me this year - whether by brightening your face with kind words, making me laugh with jokes, or simply being there when I needed to think. Thank you for being much, much more than just someone in my life; you were really there with me all the time. I don't know how I would have made it through without you.

And then there's me. Yes, I want to thank myself. Because honestly, sometimes the hardest part is just to be there when you don't want to. 2024 wasn't all good days and happy moments, and there were times when I wanted to give up. But I didn't. I kept going. I tried to stay positive (well, most of the time) and kept moving ahead. And you know what? That is a great point. Sometimes the biggest win is not about awards and praise but just getting through, staying on the path, and not quitting. So thank you, me, for hanging in there.

It wasn't easy for 2024, but it gave me not what I wanted, but what I needed - qualification over success, good people over toxic ones, and resilience in moving forward. So thank you, 2024, for being the year I learned to qualify and not just succeed.

And so, here’s to 2025 because if there’s one lesson that 2024 imparted to me, it’s that I’m more than prepared for whatever lies ahead. After all, success is merely a bonus. What truly counts is qualifying for life, and I’m committed to this journey for the long haul.

Thanks for reading what I think about this year. If you have your own stories, please share them with me. I would really like to hear about your journey as well. I might include your story in my next blog. You can find me on social media (links are in my bio) to connect, share your ideas, and keep talking about this. Remember to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories like this in your feed.