HOUSTON – This year has been a rollercoaster for many, filled with ups and downs. Whether it was a breakup, a job loss, unmet goals, grappling with inflation, or just surviving while navigating mental health challenges, 2024 demanded a lot from us.
As the New Year approaches, many of us begin drafting resolutions and setting optimistic goals for the future. But before we look ahead, it’s just as important to reflect on the past year. Taking stock of what went right and wrong can help us learn from our mistakes and avoid carrying unresolved issues into the new year—issues that could block the path to achieving our goals.
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What was my biggest lesson this year?
I started 2024 with confidence, thinking I was ready to master my life. But I soon realized I was merely scratching the surface of self-awareness. This year, I learned to confront my “shadow side.” For those unfamiliar, the shadow side represents the hidden, repressed, and often unacknowledged aspects of our personalities. It’s the part of ourselves we’d rather not face—the anger, resentment, and other impulses we’ve been taught to suppress to fit societal norms. Instead, we present our “good side,” the version of ourselves we believe will be accepted.
Addressing my shadow side became a pivotal part of my healing journey. It’s not easy; facing the parts of yourself you’ve hidden away can be uncomfortable, even painful. But when you do the work, you gain a deeper understanding of your triggers and how to respond when they arise—whether it’s a family conflict, a disagreement with a friend, or an outside stressor. Sometimes it takes a breakup or a confrontation to hold up the mirror and truly look within.
It’s easy to point fingers and blame others when things go wrong. But the most empowering realization is this: the only person you can control is yourself. When you learn to master your emotions and reactions, you take back your power. This is where real growth begins.
As we prepare to welcome 2025, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your own journey. What lessons did this year teach you? What parts of yourself are you ready to confront to make space for the growth you’ve been striving for?
The future is bright, but it shines even brighter when we clear the shadows of the past.