Growing from 2024 into 2025

As the year 2024 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a journey that has been as harrowing as it has been transformative. A year ago, I was still grappling with the aftermath of a physical assault that shattered my sense of safety and control. Yet here I stand, not unscarred, but undeniably stronger. The days haven’t always been easy, but they’ve taught me an essential truth: change is constant, and so is the need to keep moving forward. Surviving each day has been its own victory, and as I look forward to 2025, I’m filled with hope—not because life will be perfect, but because I’ve learned that I can endure, adapt, and grow.

Change often feels like an unwelcome visitor, thrust upon us when we least expect it. For me, the assault marked an abrupt and unwanted shift in my life’s trajectory. The emotional and mental scars of the assault lingered, whispering doubts and fears. Yet even in my darkest moments, I found strength in the idea that, as the band Imagine Dragons sings in their song “Believer,” “Pain! You made me a believer.” Pain became a teacher, revealing the resilience I never knew I possessed. Every step forward, no matter how small, felt like a rebellion against the weight trying to hold me back.

Music became a lifeline, a source of solace and strength. Songs like Foo Fighters’ “Waiting on a War” reminded me that while conflict—both internal and external—might rage, there’s always a way forward. The lyrics, “Is there more to this than just waiting on a war?” resonated deeply. They urged me to seek not just survival, but a life filled with meaning, connection, and joy. I began to see that while I couldn’t erase the past, I could shape my future by choosing to move forward, no matter how daunting the path.

Throughout 2024, I’ve come to embrace the idea that healing isn’t linear. Some days felt like triumphs; others felt like defeats. On the hardest days, I clung to the words of David Bowie’s “Changes,” “Turn and face the strange.” Change, after all, isn’t something to fear but to confront. Facing the strange—the unfamiliar landscape of life after trauma—required courage I didn’t always think I had. But as I navigated therapy sessions, leaned on friends and family, and rediscovered hobbies that brought me joy, I realized that each day survived was a testament to my strength.

There were moments of unexpected beauty and connection, even amid the struggle. Sharing my story with others who had faced similar challenges reminded me that I wasn’t alone. In those conversations, I saw the truth of Hozier’s lyrics from “Nina Cried Power”: “It’s not the waking, it’s the rising.” Rising, in this context, meant choosing to be vulnerable, to seek help, and to find solidarity with others. The community I found became a source of light, reminding me that even in the darkest times, there are people who will walk alongside you.

As 2025 approaches, I’m reminded of the inevitability of change—not just the kind that upends your life, but the kind that offers renewal and growth. The lyrics of Florence + The Machine’s “Shake It Out” echo in my mind: “It’s always darkest before the dawn.” The dawn, for me, isn’t the absence of pain or hardship but the presence of hope and possibility. It’s the recognition that while the past shapes us, it doesn’t define us. Each sunrise brings a new chance to heal, to grow, and to find joy.

One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned this year is that moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting or dismissing the pain. Instead, it means carrying the lessons it taught you and using them to build a stronger foundation. In Pearl Jam’s “Alright,” Eddie Vedder sings, “It’ll be all right,” and those words became a mantra. They’re not a promise of perfection but a reassurance that even in the face of uncertainty, things can and will improve. Progress is found in the small victories—getting out of bed on a tough morning, reaching out to a friend, or finding joy in a simple moment.

As I step into the new year, I’m committed to embracing the constant of change with open arms. I’ve learned that life’s unpredictability is both its challenge and its gift. Each twist and turn offers an opportunity to learn more about myself and the world around me. I’ve come to see that strength isn’t about never falling but about always getting back up. It’s about finding beauty in the broken places and recognizing that growth often comes from struggle.

Looking ahead, I’m filled with gratitude for the lessons 2024 has brought. I’m grateful for the people who stood by me, the music that lifted my spirits, and the quiet moments of clarity that reminded me of my resilience. And while I know 2025 will bring its own challenges, I’m ready to face them with the knowledge that change is constant, but so is my ability to adapt and move forward.

The road ahead isn’t without its uncertainties, but it’s also filled with possibility. Each step forward, no matter how small, is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for resilience and renewal.

In closing, I want to celebrate not just the end of 2024 but the promise of 2025. I want to honor the strength it took to get here and the hope that fuels the journey ahead. Life is a series of changes, some painful, others beautiful. But through it all, the need to keep moving forward remains constant. As I step into the new year, I carry with me the lessons of the past, the support of those who’ve walked beside me, and the unshakable belief that every day survived is a victory won. Here’s to the dawn of a new year and the endless possibilities it holds.