What I’m taking into 2025: lessons, memories and favorites
I’ve always had high hopes for years ending in '4.' They’ve been major turning points in my life.
1994 is a bit of a blur, but 2004 and 2014? Oh, I remember those vividly. Both years shoved me to the edge and demanded everything I had. I cried on the floor more than once—and not the pretty, single-tear kind of crying. And yet, they became two of the best years of my life. They shaped me, challenged me, and forced me to show up for myself in ways I never thought possible.
So when 2024 rolled around, I braced myself for a revolution.
Spoiler alert: It was.
Second spoiler: Just not the kind I expected.
Nothing monumental happened on the outside. I didn’t move countries, change jobs, or make any earth-shattering decisions. And yet, looking back, it was a big year, quietly transformative in all the ways that matter.
Here’s the hard-earned wisdom I’m carrying into 2025, along with a roundup of my favorite travels, books, movies, TV shows, and music from 2024.
1. Patience, my young Padawan
2024 tested my patience like never before. It reminded me that if you’re fighting the good fight, good things will eventually come your way … just not necessarily on your timeline.
We are so not in charge of the clock.
Good things come to those who wait… or better yet, to those who persist through the stormy weather Etta James sings about. Success is inevitable, yes, but here’s the catch: it shows up when it’s ready, not when you are.
Top Travels (2024)
Pula
I revisited this beautiful Croatian coastal town after many years, and it didn’t disappoint. The highlight? A magical concert in the ancient Arena. If you ever have the chance to experience a performance there, don’t think twice—it’s unforgettable.
Toledo
I celebrated my birthday in this enchanting Spanish city, known for its historic grandeur. Toledo’s layers of history provided the perfect setting for introspection and personal reflection (which I wrote about in more detail here).
Liechtenstein
This microstate, just a short trip from Zurich, turned out to be the perfect day-trip destination. Its charm lies in its compact yet rich offerings. It’s proof that even the tiniest places can leave a big impression.
2. Release
The second lesson of 2024? Let go. Shed. Release the need to control everything. Some things will always remain outside your grasp, often for reasons you won’t understand until much later (if at all).
Trying to micromanage the uncontrollable is a one-way ticket to perpetual fight-or-flight mode. Exhausting. Pointless. Let it go.
And while you’re at it, rest. I did, and it turned out to be the best 2.5 months of my year, possibly my life. Those weeks were understated yet deeply transformative, much like 2024 itself.
Favorite Books (2024)
This year, non-fiction didn’t really do it for me. Whether it’s my taste evolving or just bad luck with choices, nothing stood out enough to make this list. But fiction? Fiction delivered.
The Master and Margarita (Mikhail Bulgakov)
This was my third time reading it, and it only gets better. Every re-read feels like uncovering new layers of brilliance. I’d rate it 12/10.
Judas (Amos Oz)
My first dive into Amos Oz’s work, and it won’t be my last. His unique narrative style and the thought-provoking themes in this book lingered with me long after I turned the last page.
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (Gabrielle Zevin)
A delightful and deeply meaningful read. This book was a true indulgence during my sabbatical—spending entire mornings (or whole days!) immersed in its world, with a cold matcha by my side. Pure bliss.
3. Hug them tighter
If 2024 taught me anything, it’s this: hold your people close. Be present. Appreciate them.
This year, I met someone who lost her home and everything she owned in exactly seven minutes. Seven. At 7:30 p.m., she was at home with her children, enjoying the evening. By 7:37 p.m., it was all gone—swept away by the devastating floods in the Valencia region. The family escaped just in time, thankfully, but everything else was gone.
Imagine losing everything you’ve worked for in seven minutes. Now imagine realizing, in the aftermath, that none of it really matters—not compared to the people you love still standing by your side.
Best Movies (2024)
La contadora de películas (The Movie Teller)
Fans of Cinema Paradiso, take note—this Chilean gem will tug at your heartstrings in a similar way. My partner and I both cried at the end. He’ll never admit it, but I swear I caught a tear or two.
The Lobster
Yes, I’m late to the party on this one, but what a revelation. This movie turned me into a full-fledged Yorgos Lanthimos fan.
Kinds of Kindness
As a newly minted Yorgos fan, I had to see his latest creation. While it divided opinions (my partner may or may not have hated it), I found it profoundly enjoyable. Its absurdity is its charm—it’s not for everyone, but it’s very much for me.
4. Quench the thirst for knowledge
My love for learning is coming with me into 2025 in a big way. During my rest, I realized it was time to go back to school. So, drumroll please: this January, I’m starting my third master’s degree. This time? Psychology. Part-time. Online. Just for fun.
If this blog has told you anything about me, it’s probably that I’m fascinated by the mind, introspection, and personal growth. And while my degrees in Economics, Political Science, International Relations, and Public Administration cover a lot, they haven’t ventured into this territory.
Can you go back to school at any age? Absolutely. I met someone this year studying for the LSAT at 57. Inspired? I was. Will I stop at Psychology? Let’s just say… no promises.
Favorite TV Shows (2024)
Friends
This year, I finally caught up on all ten seasons of Friends. Having been a devout How I Met Your Mother fan, it was fascinating to see how much that show borrowed from Friends. Do I think Friends is the best sitcom ever? Not quite. But I get why it’s such a cultural touchstone.
From
My man has slowly converted me into a fan of freaky, horror-adjacent shows, with one important caveat: they must have a powerful message. Enter From, which we’ve been hooked on for three seasons now. In my humble opinion, this show belongs in Ethics or Philosophy classrooms. Its themes and dialogue go deep.
Disclaimer
I watched this show recently, and it hit me like a freight train. If you want a masterclass on the concept of the unreliable narrator, this is your ticket. And let’s be real: Cate Blanchett is reason enough to watch anything.
5. Create more than you consume
In 2024, I rediscovered my creative side, and honestly, it’s the best gift I could have given myself.
After years of saying, “I’ll get to it someday,” I finally completed The Artist’s Way—the famous 12-week program designed to reconnect you with your inner artist.
Was it as life-changing as I’d hoped? Not exactly. But when I paired it with other creative pursuits, something clicked. I tackled a giant puzzle, built a wooden miniature house, completed a creative writing course, and even redesigned this very website.
Now, I’m addicted. Creativity isn’t just a hobby anymore. It’s a habit, and one I’m determined to nurture in 2025 and beyond.
My Spotify Wrapped (2024)
Julio Iglesias
This one is all thanks to my boyfriend. His influence is undeniable. I’m pretty sure Julio wouldn’t have made it to my Wrapped without him. But hey, I can’t complain; there’s something oddly soothing about crooning along to Julio’s balads on a Sunday afternoon.
Fabio Concato
Listening to Concato feels like wrapping yourself in a warm Italian blanket of nostalgia and poetry. His songs make you slow down and savor the beauty of life’s small moments.
Leonard Cohen
Of course, Leonard made the list - he always does. He’s my all-time favorite, my constant companion through every Spotify Wrapped.
So there you have it, my five lessons from 2024. And here’s a bonus nugget of wisdom: the idea that years ending in '4' hold some special power is a total myth. Sure, they’ve often been pivotal, challenging, and transformative, but maybe the magic isn’t in the number—it’s in how we choose to shape the story we tell ourselves.
2024 didn’t fling me into the throes of dramatic upheaval. Instead, it gifted me quiet growth, patient lessons, and a renewed sense of creativity. And honestly, that might be the best kind of revolution there is.
So here’s to 2025—whatever it brings.
You can search for the cities mentioned above and all other destinations currently featured on mucho mundo here and consult the blog articles here.
