Twenty-one years ago, I found this questionnaire on the internet, and I’ve been filling it out every December since. Ten years ago, I decided I was going to add a few new questions every year from now on. The ones I added over the years are still marked with an *asterisk. 

I kicked off 2024 with so much planning and hope for a successful year. My word of the year was “confidence”, which was quickly dissolved into almost nothing about three weeks in, when I found out I had to have surgery to remove a mole from my neck. In the end, it wasn’t malignant, but the melanoma anxiety is always waiting for the next opportunity to wreak havoc. I’ve had no biopsies since my melanoma surgery in 2019. This year, I had three! One in January, which resulted in surgery. One in April, which was nothing. And another in July, which was also nothing. Finally, in October, I was in the clear. To bad by then, I was in severe pain from a degenerating fibroid that started in September, and is gradually getting better. So, needless to say, this year, while overall great, had a theme of minor health issues underlying almost everything.

Silver linings: I started working out with a trainer in April, and I’ve gone to the gym at least twice a week for the last eight months, including today! I’ve lost 24 pounds–partly from working out, partly from not eating due to pain, and partly due to paying closer attention to my diet since September. (Although, most of that 24 pounds was redundant from the weight I lost in 2023 because I gained it all back freaking out over that mole in January.) ;P

Other highlights: I’ve recouped my savings after purchasing a house last year. I was able to find a fantastic pet resort locally who can handle Benny if I want to take some short trips. I was able to visit Palm Springs, Nantucket, NJ, NYC, and the Annapolis Sailboat Show this year, and I even made is home for Christmas for the first time since 2019! And I made some pretty major fall/winter wardrobe upgrades over the past few months, after really focusing on not shopping for the last several years.

Anyway, here’s my year in review.

Twenty years ago, I found this questionnaire on the internet, and I’ve been filling it out every December since. 

I spent the beginning of 2023 coaxing myself out a massive rut I found myself in at the end of 2022. It started when I got covid. It took me months to feel better again, but by then everything was out of sorts. I used a planner and a vision board to keep myself motivated and on track. During the first half of 2022, I chose a different word for each month of the year to focus on getting myself back on track. During that time, I lost almost 20 pounds! I traveled a bit for work and pleasure — I spent a total of about 10 days in New England this summer, which means I’m 1/3 of the way to my goal of spending a whole month there some summer soon. :) Later in the year, I started investing in some companies other than my own, and I bought a house. Benny and I are fully settled in now, and we’re feeling pretty at home here. 

Anyway, here’s my year in review.

If this questionnaire were a person, it would be a legal adult now. Eighteen years ago, I found this questionnaire, and I’ve been filling it out every December since. 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003. Eight years ago, I decided I was going to add a few new questions every year from now on. The ones I added over the years are still marked with an *asterisk. I added one this year, and that one is marked with two **asterisks.

At some point in 2022, things started to feel a lot more “normal” again. Although post-pandemic normal turns out to be a lot less social and a lot more repetitious and consistent, I suppose. The silly thing is that as soon as things started feeling normal again, I caught covid at a super-spreader wedding and had a ridiculous cough for the next 12 weeks. I started traveling again this year — I took more flights than I have in a single year in a long time. Most of them were to NJ for weddings and funerals, but whatever. I took two vacations, plus a few weekend trips, so that was nice to start working travel back into my life this year. According to my Apple Watch, I only walked 1,314 miles this year, which is significantly less than last year. I blame dog training, covid, my Apple Watch dying at one point…but also just the fact that I got very busy at work and didn’t prioritize getting outside and exercising as much as I have the last few years. Work was busy, as usual, and all three companies are still on track, growing, and doing well.

Anyway, here’s my year in review.