With 2024 in full-swing, I can’t help but look back at 2023 with gratitude and appreciation, with hopes 2024 will live up to expectations. Last year, Evan and I got married in our home town of South Lake Tahoe at Valhalla Tahoe. We missed a few friends, but were primarily surrounded by the ones who love and support us most. Now that 2024 is here, we are most looking forward to traveling to Europe for our honeymoon.
Travel
In terms of upcoming travel, there are a few trips already in the books!
In less than a week, Evan and I will be traveling to Los Angeles to celebrate a wedding for our friends Maria and Casey, who will tying the knot at a beautiful venue in Topanga Canyon. I will be wearing a cute black satin cocktail dress, and already have the black chrome nails to go with the fit. That same morning, we will be grabbing breakfast with friends (the plan is Ollo in Malibu). Of course, no LA trip is complete without a visit to Disneyland! Thus, we will be going to Disneyland with my best friend Megan, and her fiancé, Kurtis. Evan hasn’t seen Star Wars Land yet, so he is in for a real galactic treat!
In February, while the plan is for me to stay in Salt Lake City, I have a few friends, like Kenny and Greg, who will be visiting me from LA. We have talked about skiing together and watching hockey (My brother-in-law will be on the ice for senior night). Moreover, Evan plans on traveling to Jackson, WY, for a ski trip with his dad.
In March, I will be flying out to visit my gal, Andee, in Birmingham, Alabama. I’m looking forward to checking-out her new home, exploring sites and landmarks, and indulging in some yummy cuisine (Andee is a Food Editor at Food and Wine, so she knows the best eats). Additionally, we are planning a mini girls trip to Nashville, since it’s within a few hours drive from Birmingham. I am most looking forward to experiencing the music scene the city has to offer!
Last, but not least, Evan and I will be honeymooning in Europe in May! We already have our plane tickets and most of our hotel stays booked. We will be flying into Amsterdam, in which we have plans to visit the tulip festival and Anne Frank House. We will, then, be heading to Paris and the Alsace wine region in France. I cannot wait to explore the quaint fairytale towns of Strasbourg, Colmar, and Eguisheim! After spending a few days in the country, we will travel to various parts of Italy, including Lake Como, Venice/Burano, the Tuscany region/Florence, the Amalfi Coast, and Rome.
Still, I can imagine we will plan other travel for the mid/end of year. We will likely plan a camping trip or two over summer, and visit home, South Lake Tahoe. We will also likely attend a few more friend’s weddings (tis the season of love).
Mood Board
My 2024 vision board is based on the vibes I would like to carry into the new year. I put together a collage, which is an assemblage of different parts to create a whole.
I am going to strive to be intentional in that I would like to continue to grow in my advising profession, set and maintain boundaries for myself and others, and continue to foster better self-care. I was nominated for Experienced Advisor of the Year at the U, and while I was on the fence about submitting a packet to be considered for the award, I think I’m going to challenge myself and put these materials together for submission. I have also improved over the years with instilling boundaries and self-care. I want to continue with my intention to schedule work breaks (e.g. walk and lunch blocks), as well as decreasing negative self-talk around rest and relaxation. I am going to be more “lazy” on my weekends; and I am going to engage in activities that make me happy (like taking my dogs on hikes).
I also want to foster and employee more of my creative side by engaging in fun craft projects. I like the hands-on aspect crafting allows me to do, whether that is building my blog/posts, decorating desserts, or making macrame rainbows. When Evan and I head to Europe for our honeymoon, I plan to film for my vlog and take polaroid pictures for our honeymoon book.
I would like to be bold in the sense that I am more apt to taking risks, pursuing challenges, not counting myself out (less imposter syndrome), and saying yes to adventures and travel. 2024 is all about exploring Europe, and I can’t wait to do this with my forever partner!
I am motivated in that 2024 is a new year, and I am excited to see what is in store. I am motivated in wanting to maintain my mental and physical health. This means practicing mindfulness, drinking more water, and continuing to engage in physical activity like running and learning how to ski, etc.
I want to be more authentic and less perfectionist. I am my biggest critique, and I need to learn to welcome imperfection as being a beautiful thing. I want to embrace the no-makeup and sweatpants days. I also want to learn to pick myself back up again when I fail, and tell myself that I am doing okay (this might mean trying something different or modifying what I am currently doing).
Finally, I want to reflect and communicate what I am thankful for. Starting here, I am thankful for a roof over my head (I am honestly so grateful for my cozy apartment even though I may dislike my neighbors at times), I am grateful for my husband and dogs (they are my biggest cheerleaders and know how to put a smile on my face), and I am thankful for the amazing honeymoon we get to enjoy this year (so so overwhelmed with gratitude for those who contributed to our honeymoon fund).
What’s in and out
There are a multitude of thoughts I have regarding what I would like to incorporate and disparage this 2024 season.
Some of the items that are IN include:
- Saving money: After spending a ton of money on our wedding, I want to focus on paying down credit cards and putting money away in savings. One of our goals in the next two to three years is buying a house.
- Self-care and relaxation: One of the most important aspects I learned during my masters program was to engage in self-care. After all, we can’t serve others unless we serve ourselves (a car can’t run without gas).
- Authenticity: Be you – there is no one like YOU!
- Setting/holding boundaries: If someone can’t respect your boundaries, then they don’t deserve to have a place in your life (if you weren’t there in 2023, then you won’t be there in 2024).
- Prioritizing mental and physical health: Look good, feel good, and reverse. YOU matter most – it’s important to implement positive changes in your life.
- Travel and serendipity: Life is short – travel more. I want to continue seeing the world and appreciating the moments as they come.
- Home cooked meals: Let’s fall in love with cooking and baking at home again! The benefits are saving money and living a more healthy lifestyle.
- Reading and podcasts: Self-care is paramount – do what makes you HAPPY!
Some of the items that are OUT include:
- Overspending: I’m tired of high credit card debt and not living within my means. It’s okay to ask for that raise, budget, and save.
- Restlessness/overthinking: I am naturally an over-worrier, which results in anxiety, and other negative health impacts. Be at peace with what is and go with your gut.
- Perfectionism: There is literally no such thing as being perfect.
- Energy drainers/excuse makers: If someone takes more than they give and constantly finds reasons to not show up/support you, then it probably isn’t worth keeping this person in your life. My wedding was telling in that I know who made an effort (there is, of course, viable reasons why some individuals could not attend) and who could give a damn (hint: these people are probably not reading this post).
- Accepting the bare minimum: I know my worth and what I deserve, and it isn’t the minimum. I also know what I am capable of, and I won’t sell myself short.
- Comparison and negative self-talk: Instagram is a highlight reel (my posts are not an exception). I don’t want to put myself down because I don’t look a certain way or my post didn’t receive as many likes.
- Eating out (too much): It’s okay to splurge and treat yourself here and there, but moderation is key! Eating out can get expensive, and this is where I can save on costs.
- Overconsumption/screen time: Too much of anything is never a good thing. As an advisor, I engage in a lot of computer screen time, so instead of coming home and watching hours of tv, I would like to pick-up a book and/or listen to a podcast more.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading! I really appreciate your interest and care in what my hopes/dreams are for the 2024 year. What are your New Year’s Resolutions or what is one word you’d like to use to describe your intentions for the year? I’d love to hear!
