What I’m Grateful for This Year: A Reflection

As 2024 draws to a close, I’ve found myself pausing to reflect on the small yet significant practices that have made this year a little brighter. If you’d told me a year ago that I’d willingly become a semi-morning person, I’d have laughed into my third cup of afternoon coffee. Yet here I am, sliding out of bed most mornings at 5am (a feat in itself!) to claim a few precious moments of peace and quiet with my coffee and my little Ziggy dog.

This little ritual has become a cornerstone of my days. I’d brew a pot of Merlo coffee using my trusty dripolator, let Ziggy out for his morning stretch, and settle into my favourite chair. First, I’d press play on a two-minute meditation—usually Marianne Williamson via Substack—and let her words centre me. (www.marianne.com)

Then came the journaling. Now, let me tell you, gratitude journaling before caffeine kicks in isn’t easy! Some mornings, I’d be grateful for the basics: coffee, Ziggy, my husband (in that order). Other days, I’d dive deeper, appreciating the sunlight streaming through the windows, the sound of birds outside, or even the sheer miracle of running water and electricity. It was a practice that helped me see the extraordinary in the ordinary and made me more aware of just how lucky I am to live this life.

After jotting my thoughts into my Notes app, I’d read a chapter or two from a motivational or self-help book. This mini habit stack—meditation, gratitude, reading—took no more than 15 minutes but set the tone for my entire day. Those 15 minutes before the world demanded my attention became a time of grounding, clarity, and, dare I say, joy.

Of course, there were mornings I skipped this routine (life happens), but I could always tell. The difference in my mindset was stark, a reminder to recommit the next day.

Looking ahead to 2025, I’m ready to build on this foundation. My big goal? Taking the email app off my phone. It’s been a major source of stress—reading emails while multitasking, forgetting to follow up, or not marking things as unread only to lose track the following day. My plan is to time-block dedicated slots for emails on my laptop, giving them the attention they deserve and being fully present, even for the mundane ones.

I also want to explore more ways to structure my time intentionally. This year has shown me how powerful small, consistent actions can be.

So, as we step into 2025, I’d love to know—what’s one habit or practice you’d like to start or expand on? Let’s make this the year we show up for ourselves in new, meaningful ways.