My 2024 Rewind: Lessons, Growth, and What’s Next

Looking back at my top newsletter content from this past year

437 days ago, I started this Substack.

I can still remember sitting at my laptop, staring at the blank page on my screen, feeling both excited and terrified. Starting a Substack felt like a risk I wasn’t quite ready for—who was I to put my thoughts out there?

But I took a breath, wrote the first line, wrote a few more, and hit publish.

I hoped 1 person would read it.

65 people did.

A lot can happen in 437 days.

Highs and lows. Wins and losses. Breakthroughs and setbacks.

You get it—life happens in 437 days.

My life happened in 437 days.

Since I started this Substack, I’ve learned that writing is as much about listening as it is about creating. Listening to myself—to what feels honest and meaningful—and listening to you as you share how these posts have landed in your own lives.

The title of this post, “My 2024 Rewind,” isn’t groundbreaking, but for me, it’s more than jumping onto a trend. It’s a way to pause and look back at everything this year has brought—what I’ve learned, what I’ve created, and how I’ve grown.

In the past year, I pushed myself creatively.

I started finding my voice as a writer, leaning into the rhythm of weekly posts—then breaking that rhythm to enjoy my summer. I fell into a creative rut, stretched myself way too thin, flirted with the dangers of burnout, and clawed my way back to feeling refreshed. I launched a podcast with my friend Winy (subscribe!). I had my most successful quarter yet as a coach, took on more clients than ever—forging corporate partnerships and coaching executive leaders, facilitating off-sites, and leading workshops. I got engaged (!).

And as December rolled around, I made a decision that felt both courageous and right: I stepped away from 90% of my client work to take the month off.

It’s the kind of bold move I encourage my clients to make—one rooted in clarity, balance, and purpose.

One that allowed me to feed giraffes!

Now, let’s talk about you.

Over the past year, some of my posts resonated deeply with you all. They sparked conversations, brought unexpected and incredibly thoughtful replies to my inbox, and reminded me why I love writing in the first place.

Here are the top 5 posts you loved in 2024:

1. The Reality of Being The Only At Work

2. Let’s Talk About Knowing When It’s Time to Quit

3. How to Show Up For Your Team in Challenging Times

4. The High Achiever’s Advantage

5. The Not So Subtle Art of Communicating: Mastering Storytelling with Victoria Brown

Looking at these posts, some patterns emerge—there are clear takeaways that I want to carry into 2025.

What I Learned from 2024’s Most Loved Posts

1. They tell stories that resonate with unspoken experiences.
   Posts like “The Reality of Being The Only At Work” struck a chord because it gave voice to the isolation, pressure, and perseverance many of us have felt in the workplace—experiences we rarely articulate but deeply feel. One that many have labeled as imposter syndrome but we had this sneaking suspicion that imposter syndrome didn’t quite capture it.

2. They lean into the vulnerability we all feel as leaders.
   Whether it’s deciding when to quit or navigating tough moments as leader, these posts gave me the opportunity to share personal anecdotes from my work as a coach and my professional experience and couple those anecdotes with practical advice. My goal is not to “preach”—I hope to connect and the way that I connect with you all is by being helpful.

3. They celebrate storytelling as a tool for connection.
   My conversation with Victoria Brown on mastering storytelling is a reminder that narrative isn’t just a skill; it’s a bridge that helps us understand ourselves and inspire others.

Looking at my top posts of the year, I also noticed something interesting: three of them were written in Q4. At first, I wondered if it was coincidence, but then I realized there’s another pattern. Each of those posts came from a desire to connect what was happening right at that moment in my business with this community.

1. "The High Achiever’s Advantage" was born after I did an analysis of my work with my clients, pinpointing the patterns that drive their success. I’ll be doing more of this in 2025—taking what I’m learning in real-time and distilling it into actionable insights for all of you.

2. "How to Show Up For Your Team in Challenging Times" was written just a week after the 2024 election, when many of us were feeling a collective heaviness. It was an attempt to provide just-in-time support and offer actionable strategies for navigating uncertainty.

3. "The Reality of Being The Only At Work" came out of a personal reflection sparked by a conversation I had with a professional peer about what it really feels like to carry that weight.

These posts remind me of the kind of work I want to continue creating. Posts that:

• Are deeply rooted in lived experience.

• Share patterns and frameworks that emerge from my coaching practice.

• Offer timely, just-in-time support that meets you where you are.

Gratitude and a Glimpse Ahead

I started this Substack with the hope that it would resonate, but your engagement has surpassed anything I imagined. Every reply, every shared story, and every quiet moment you spent reading are gifts I don’t take lightly.

One reader even shared how my post on knowing when to quit gave them the courage they needed to take a leap and do something new.

In 2025, you can expect more stories that feel like they’re written just for you. Posts that tackle the realities of work, life, and leadership with nuance, depth, and a little humor. I’ll keep showing up with insights to help you navigate the messy, beautiful in-between moments—because that’s where real growth happens.

Thank you for being here, for reading, for sharing, for responding. This space wouldn’t exist without you.

Here’s to what’s next.