2024 for me was a number 1 year in numerology. I knew that meant new beginnings, fresh starts and change. My key words for the year were evolve, grow, accomplish and I have to say that they came true. The biggest accomplishment for me was to maintain a  full time job and be in a relationship. These two giant pillars of life have previously eluded me! Previously I have been happy, independent and free being single, and working as a relief teacher across many schools. But like every year, we evolve and change and grow. I hope that my accomplishments and reflections of the year also serve to inspire you. Writing to me brings me so much joy, and if others gain joy from it too, then that is a bonus!

My highlights of 2024 (in random order as my memory remembers!)

1. In January my good friend from Darwin B came to Perth and we travelled to Tasmania together. We landed in Hobart and went on a tour all around Tassie, enjoying many beaches, walks, and scenery. We met so many great new people and I still keep in touch with some of them. I do love a group tour! And Tassie is such a beautiful place to visit. 
2. I commenced working at Balga working in the Intensive English centre teaching the most amazing migrant students. I really enjoyed this job. We made mosaics, I taught them in the garden, we sang songs, had great conversations, did heaps of interesting work, and we all learned a lot about other cultures and countries. They represented Afghanistan, Burma, Vietnam, and Phillipines, to name only a few. 
3. I met J and we started a relationship together by March. And we are still together! Miracle! 
4. In April we travelled to Bremer Bay together for a little long weekend getaway. Long walks on white sandy beaches, tennis, aqua blue water swims and lots of fun getting to know each other. 
5. We also travelled to Karijini National Park and Coral Bay in July. I love it up north and it was so great to go on this adventure together. We explored gorges, swam in beautiful natural springs, and went snorkelling at Coral bay seeing the most incredible fish. We camped out under the stars, and enjoyed open fires, back to nature, I love it. 
6. I hosted a really fun Hawaiian party late January with many different friends. I love bringing people together and it was really fun to see everyone dressed up, mingling, chatting, and enjoying yummy food together. I am quite a social person and I really enjoy hosting parties. That makes me think I want to plan another one!! With a new theme! 
7. I also hosted a Christmas in July party, which is one of my favourite party ideas. We all dressed up in crazy Xmas jumpers and ate all the yummy food, and exchanged small gifts and played a stealing game, where people never steal enough!! It’s always more fun when gifts are swapped more, there is always next year! 
8. I have managed to stay off alcohol all year. At times it has been a challenge, but drinking the occasional 0% alcohol drinks have really helped as placebos. My bank account, my brain and my body are so much better for it! I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to radically change your life. The clarity, time and health benefits alone are worth it. 
9. I have been practising my daily rituals with rigour this year. I identified a number of activities that make me feel good and I aim to do them as many times in the day as I can. These include things such as: make a fresh juice, take a bath, create some art, lift weights, journal write, read books, no TV, complete some sticker activity. On a daily basis I would do at least 5 of my rituals, and they all make me feel great. I highly recommend working out the things you love doing and aim to do them everyday as much as you can. Sounds simple right? But amazing how many people don’t take the time out for themselves. 
10. No TV since August. I decided to shove the TV in the cupboard (where it belongs) and reduce my screen time. It worked! There were moments where I did miss it, but I really found I had heaps more time in the evenings. I did chores, organised things, made art, played board games, visited friends, spent time with my boyfriend, read books, took baths, and gave in to early nights. 
11. I made an effort to get into bed by 9pm and up at 5am for the majority of this year. It is a new routine that has worked for me really well. At times I wake even earlier around 330 or 4am, no thanks to fluctuating hormones. Early mornings are the best in Perth, crisp air, so quiet, and all the time in the world to dream up plans, contemplate life and GSD. (Get shit done).
12. In October I travelled to Canberra for the Floriade tulip festival. This has been on my bucket list for ages and I really loved the experience. I love flowers and the displays were fabulous. All the art and displays were quite magical, I even made a new friend from Peru at the hostel too. She was next going to China to work as a ski instructor, so interesting! I also met a girl from Finland who was there to play solo at a Metal concert! Travelling is a great way to meet new people and be inspired by their life experiences. Canberra was a really great surprise, I love the quietness, ease of movement, awesome university with pool and sauna with a view, and the busy theatre buildings where I saw a show practically every night. The Chicago musical was a real highlight for me, great dancing and singing and awesome stage work. I will be back! I loved it there. I even thought I could live and work there one day. 
13. I also travelled to Darwin on this same trip and had a great time catching up with friends and enjoying all the perks of the top end. I love the heat, the storms, the art, my friends, tropical trees and birds, and fun outdoors restaurants.  I lived there a few years ago and I always love going back. I need to go back for mango season next. Delicious!
14. I made a lot of art this year. Not every day but almost. When I was not posting my art works I was creating art using my sticker books, which are so fun. A great mindfulness activity. 
15. Airbnb has been a great side hustle for me this year, and I have met so many great people from all over the globe. Namely, Germany, Eastern states Australia, China, Middle East, England, Italy. So many great guests. I do love meeting new people and creating a home away from home for them. 
16. My garden has been a real highlight for me again this year. I spend a lot of time out there, and potter around trimming, weeding, pruning, prancing, watering and making more mosaics! I can never have enough! I am sure there will be more pot lids and table top creations coming again soon! I have had a few memorable moments enjoying the fairy lights, and the stars and the crickets and the birds, sitting and chatting with my guests or friends. One time we cranked the fire pit and enjoyed watching the flickering flames, the night sky stars, which were all so mesmerising.
17. I went camping so many times this year, and I loved all the trips! I will plan to go again more next year. J and I went up north on the beach a few times, I also went away with friends down south near Dwellingyup. I would like to explore some new out of the way camp spots next year, close to water, full of trees and quiet, blissful restorative nature. 
18. I went to a yoga retreat in Bridgetown. I loved this experience. I met some wonderful women, we experienced a variety of activities and did some yoga and ate yummy vegan raw food. I felt very inspired by the day, and felt really rejuvenated by the whole experience. I will be on the look out for more of these types of weekends away. 
19. I worked full time teaching in an Intensive English centre, and met the most wonderful students from all over the globe. I then taught PE/Outdoor Ed/Health/Digital technology to more students full time and also loved this experience. It was hard at times but I persevered and definitely learned a lot. Every school is so different and I feel lucky to have had a chance to teach these fabulous kids. 
20. I have read many great books this year. I literally read 5 books at once sometimes, and some have been outstanding. Atomic Habits was one of them, and Green Dot. I read a lot of self help type books and always want to learn. 
21. I have had a keen interest in shares and growing my money as much as possible this year. My shares have grown and am steadily smashing my mortgage. I aim to be mortgage free in another 2 years. It feels good! Working full time has given me this financial freedom so I am very grateful for this. I am always researching good shares, any hot tips for me?

Looking back over my year I have really achieved so much. Working full time and having a relationship has been my two major highlights and accomplishments. All my wonderful get aways and road trips, weekends away have all been so fun too. I will plan for more of those next year. I really do focus on enjoying the journey in my life. Never put off anything that you can do today, or this week, or this month. I agree in delayed gratification, but only to a point. I have a strong desire to jam everything into my life. The passing of my family over the years has been a good life lesson for me. Enjoy every day as much as you can, say yes to the opportunities life presents you and stay as happy as you can be.

I finish this blog writing here in Berlin where I am visiting a friend. Tomorrow I travel to Estonia! My next blog I will write about my travels on this current trip, my white Christmas experience in Europe. 

Thanks for reading and please do send me a message if you would like, I always love to hear from my readers! 

Much love, 

Anita xxx