Instead of New Year’s Resolutions… The Best Things that Happened to me in 2024

2024 wasn’t the year I was healed. It wasn’t the year I overcame burnout or fully recovered from Long COVID. But it was the year I began to see glimmers of hope and meaning, even in the midst of my pain. It was the year I learned that healing isn’t always about reaching the destination—it’s about the journey of discovering who I am and who God is in my brokenness.

Long COVID and Burnout: My Breaking Point

The year began with a crushing weight. Long COVID left me “non-functional,” and burnout drained every ounce of energy I had. I was forced to stop. I hated it and fought it with every fibre of my being—I felt useless, helpless, and lost.It’s physical and emotional toll left me feeling like I’d hit rock bottom. I couldn’t function the way I used to; I had to let go of the illusion of control.

Some days, I felt like I was losing myself entirely. But in those moments of stillness—forced upon me by exhaustion—I began to ask questions I’d been too busy to confront: What do I really need? Who am I without all the things I do, without my productivity?

The answers didn’t come all at once. But the cracks created by my struggles allowed light to seep in. Slowly, I started to see that this breaking point wasn’t the end—it was a chance to begin again.

A Transformative Program: Write the Truth

Desperate for purpose, I joined the Write the Truth Program and that was a lifeline. What began as a chance to organise my speech and thoughts, turned into something much deeper.

Writing became a mirror that showed me who I really was.  Writing gave me a way to process my pain, to name it, and to begin making sense of it. Vulnerability became both terrifying and liberating.

Through this process, I found a community of people who understood the power of being real and embraced authenticity. Alex Gavriliu’s mentorship helped me see that even in my struggle, I had a voice that could inspire others. Writing didn’t take away the pain, but it gave me a way to carry it differently.

Rediscovering God in the Chaos

In the depths of my frustration and despair, I had an unexpected encounter with God—not the traditional distant figure I’d imagined, but a Presence so close and loving that it took my breath away.

I didn’t hear music from the skies or answers to my questions nor promises of instant healing. Instead, I felt a quiet assurance: “I am here. I love you. You don’t need to earn My love—you are enough.” For the first time, I truly believed it. It wasn’t about religion or rules; it was about relationship.

I stopped running from my pain or trying to control what was happening to me. Instead, I started leaning into it, trusting that God was using it to transform me and take me to a different place, because where I was, didn’t fit my purpose anymore.

That moment didn’t erase my struggles, but it reframed them. I began to see my pain not as a punishment, but as a teacher. I realised that God wasn’t asking me to fix myself or be perfect—He was asking me to trust Him and let Him walk with me through it all.

The Gift of Clarity

Through this newfound faith, I began to see everything differently. My struggles weren’t punishments—they were tools for growth. I wasn’t defined by my achievements or my failures. My worth was inherent. Slowly, I began to let go of perfectionism and control and embrace who I was.

Most days, I still feel overwhelmed by exhaustion, frustration, and uncertainty. But I’ve also learned to celebrate the small victories: a day with more energy, a moment of connection with a loved one, or the courage to set boundaries and say no.

Healing isn’t a straight line, and I’m not “there” yet—wherever “there” is. But I’ve come to believe that I’m not alone in this journey, and that’s enough to keep going.

Healing My Relationships and Myself

This transformation spilled into every area of my life. I reassessed my roles as a mother, daughter, sister, friend, and partner. I had to stop doing and start feeling. I could not serve anyone anymore or fix their problems, or take their pain upon myself.

I let go of toxic expectations and embraced authenticity in my relationships. I learned to extend compassion to myself first, not just to others.

Compassionate Inquiry Therapy helps me uncover the root of my pain, and for the first time, I began to truly heal. 

Rediscovering My Purpose

Buried dreams resurfaced. I remembered how much I loved writing—not just as a skill, but as a way to heal, inspire and connect with others. My story, my struggles, and my voice could be a light for others.

Looking Ahead with Hope

2024 didn’t fix me. But it gave me hope. It reminded me that even in the darkest moments, there’s a spark of light to be found. It taught me that I don’t have to wait for full healing to live with purpose.

So here I am, still in the middle of it all. But I’m learning to trust the process, to lean into the struggle, and to believe that God is using what I am offering to work on something beautiful, even when I can’t see it.

2024 was a year of continuous breaking and rebuilding—a year when I stopped striving and started working on myself and trusting.