Reflecting on 2024
I went to my local shrine to pay my respects and give thanks. I am reflecting on this year.
2024 was a year of turbulent days for me.
1. Attended Wataru Hoshi's Business Mastery Camp (BMC) Start Course in person
2. Returned to work after maternity leave for my second child
3. Started my job as a chief in earnest
4. Child diagnosed with pediatric cancer
5. Father hospitalized and then discharged
Before reflecting, my feeling was that since event #4 happened, there were no good memories.
Work, childcare, and hospital visits. I was working full-time while handling childcare on my own. I spent every day mobilizing all the physical strength, mental energy, and scheduling skills I possess.
The conclusion I reached after reflecting on such a year isI am happy that.
Although I thought there were no good memories, 3 out of the top 5 happiest and most joyful moments of 2024 occurred in the latter half of the year.
Even setting aside the fact that the memories are fresh,I was truly happy.
In addition, if I were to choose a kanji for this year, it would be“En” (Connection/Fate).It was a year where I felt connections with people and dove into things more than ever.
The ultimate example of diving in was the BMC. It was the most expensive thing I did, where I took action before making an execution plan. The learning and the friends I met there are my greatest treasures of 2024.
Besides that, I participated in cleaning volunteer work, helped at a local market, helped a friend I met online with their market, participated in an in-person event for an online community (in Hyogo), went on whirlwind tours mainly to listen to lectures (Osaka/Saitama), and started writing on note... I really dove into too many things. Moreover, more than half of these, including the whirlwind tours, happened after the pediatric cancer diagnosis. I really did a lot.
Furthermore, the fact that I was able to be this active while working full-time and accompanying my child to the hospital would have been impossible without the support of my family and relatives. Not only my mother who lives far away, but also my husband's parents kindly stepped in to help, and I cannot thank them enough.
And then, when I hit rock bottom, there were the teachers at my children's nursery and extracurricular classes, friends, the local welfare department staff, and my colleagues who accepted my feelings during those times.
It was a year where I couldn't help but feel the connections with people.
I am, and my family is, not alone.
I am living in the present, supported by others.
I know that I can absolutely overcome any trial together with the people around me. I can turn this opportunity into my own strength.
I will definitely be okay.
It is certain that I will be happy next year; that is the only thing decided for next year.
Thanks to all of you who read this note, I was able to look back on 2024 like this.
I will continue to write articles from my own perspective. I hope you will continue to enjoy them.
Thank you very much.
I look forward to your continued support next year.