Dear Reader,

Wow! It’s already the end of the year.

In ways it feels like I’ve been looking forward to this day for a while, in other ways it’s incredible that so much time has passed already.

How are you feeling about it?

I tend to have a bittersweet relationship with the end of the year.

On the one hand, it’s a lot of fun to reflect on all that I had happened in the past year— memories of travel, accomplishments, change, hobbies, and relationships.

On the other, reflecting on what I had done ironically brings to light all the things I hadn’t achieved.

I’m reminded that the human mind is not geared towards contentment, but survival.

Lesson 1: Be mindful of where the mind wanders. If you catch yourself ruminating or having a cringe-y thought, do some focused breathing for 1 minute. Just 1 minute. See how it feels.

Other lessons from 2024 that I’ll be carrying forward with me in the new year:

Lesson 2: Write everything down. A good idea, a thing to do, something inspirational, a memory, a story. It doesn’t really matter if you do or don’t look back on it, but it gets the mind moving in ways that feel empowering.

Lesson 3: Do the 4 pillars every day. Eat something healthy, move your body, make a social connection, and rest. Even small acts count. Health is the foundation to everything else.

Lesson 4: Be kind. To others, but also yourself. The longest relationship you’ll ever have is with yourself, so it’s important to make it a loving one. Treat yourself with self-love, but also a loving inner voice.

Lesson 5: Ask what if (best possible outcome)? If you’re going to imagine what if the worst possible happens, might as well also reflect on what if the best possible happens. I find that the happiest people tend to focus on the latter.

Lesson 6: Make a list of real luxuries. And use them as your compass: Good health, travel, restful sleep, meaningful relationships, interesting conversations, ‘unproductive’ but joyful hobbies, belly laughs, unstructured time, delicious food, a mind at peace. If you’re not sure where to start, reflecting on happy memories is a good place to begin.

Lesson 7: Stay curious and playful. Pursue what you find interesting, fun, and motivating, even if it may seem challenging. A curious and playful mindset will help you start, learn, and enjoy the journey. Life is too short to not try.

What lessons from 2024 will you be carrying with you to the next year?

This is my last newsletter of the year 😊 Thank you for joining my newsletter and following my thoughts! I learn as much from my readers as much as I hope to share.

It’s been an incredible journey with ups and downs, but ultimately a lot of good memories, lessons, and gratitude.

See you in 2025 🌟

Warmly,

Kaki

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