Babbling Brooke: 2024 in review
I’m sitting here on a rainy Saturday in December only days away from 2025. I keep on saying to family and friends that I cannot believe another year went by so quickly. Hell, I keep forgetting it’s December! When my Mom- Mom and Pop-Pop were alive, they’d always say how much faster time goes every year that passes. They weren’t joking!
As sad as I am to see 2024 to go, I’m so incredibly grateful for every single thing that happened the past 365 days. This year was probably the best one of my 30s! I’m 38- for reference ;) I wouldn’t say it’s because anything extraordinary or groundbreaking happened that made it such a stand out year. Actually, quite the opposite. It was a series of many small, beautiful moments and victories and full circle moments. I also saw the fruit of my labor finally pay off after feeling like I had been running in a hamster wheel getting nowhere for a LONG, LONG time. I could cry thinking about everything and just how serendipitous it all was.
But what I loved most about 2024 was, for the first time in my life, I created “BALANCE.” I never knew what that word quite was or what it felt like, as I’ve always lived a very passionate, whole hearted, all- or- nothing existence. That part of me served it’s purpose, but it definitely ran its course in 2023- a year that really did me in and forced me to re-evaluate my life and so many aspects of it.
For the past 7+ years, I’ve been pursuing modeling and have had to sacrifice a lot to run down this dream of mine. Things most people don’t see and/ or would never understand unless they were also in this extremely demanding, cut throat, last minute industry. The one thing that has always been missing was a stable and consistent foundation, which is so hard to create on your own and in a profession that is anything but. I had finally become so fed up to the point that I was ready to walk away from the industry to create what I needed, as I was struggling immensely and it had all now become a necessity I just didn’t realize how finally committing to that decision would change my entire existence- my health (physical + mental), my relationships, and my roots. I’ve never felt as grounded and as good as I do now. I will forever be grateful for life backing me into a corner and giving me no other option, but to sink or swim.
Cue the theme song of my life “I Won’t Back Down.” Because stubborn determined me never would have given up if it was my choice LOL!
2024: the year where all of the hard lessons of my 30’s turned into a soft landing. The year where I have never felt more balanced, in alignment, or joyful. The year I got back to my roots, found my center, and experienced many beautiful full circle moments and dreams come true. The year that reminded me that I have always had everything and everyone that I ever wanted/ needed and that anything else at this point is just a bonus. 2024: A DAMN GOOD YEAR!
Heading into 2025 clarity- filled with my heart and eyes wide open. Life has become more about constant expansion, growth, and continued quality time and pouring into all of the reciprocal relationships in my life. I cannot wait to see what the next year brings and look forward to the very exciting adventures just on the horizon :)! Happy New Year, everyone!
Happy Trails! xoxo, Brooke
