A Year in Review / Reflecting on 2024
As a little kid, a single day can last forever. As a teenager, a single summer can feel like a lifetime. Your 20s seem to drag on, but before you know it, you’re looking back, wondering how you suddenly hit 40—and from there, time only seems to speed up. Someone wise once told me, “The bad news is that time flies; the good news is that you’re the pilot.” Well, that’s certainly true because this pilot managed to let time slip away, which is why I couldn’t accomplish half of the things I had planned, or even manage to complete half of my duties, and here we are—it’s already 2025!
Looking back at 2024, it feels as though the year passed by in the blink of an eye. Yet, when I take a closer look, I realize that it was a year filled with moments that made an impact on both the global stage and in my personal life. From global events to personal reflections, 2024 has taught me that time is a sense that’s easily warped in some ways, it’s a gift because we have the powers to speed it up or slow it down depending on how we choose to spend it….
2024 was like Mother Nature was having a bad year. Record-breaking heat waves, wildfires, and floods felt like they were on a global tour. I mean, it seemed like every time you turned on the news, another city was being hit by a weather event. The hurricanes, wildfires, and floods weren’t just making headlines; they were affecting real people, and it became increasingly clear that climate change wasn’t just something that we’d talk about in a few decades—it was happening right now.
But here’s the thing: even though it felt overwhelming, there were also positive shifts. More people started making eco-friendly choices, like opting for plant-based meals or reducing plastic use. It felt like the world was finally catching on. However, it wasn’t enough just to scroll past those news articles and feel bad about it—real change requires action. So, whether it’s walking instead of driving or investing in a reusable water bottle, it all counts. Small steps do add up, even if time keeps running faster than we’d like.
By now, we’ve all heard about the importance of mental health, right? In 2024, it felt like everyone and their grandma was talking about meditation, mindfulness, and self-care. Which is awesome, but let’s be honest—how many of us actually took the time to practice what we preach? I mean, sure, I bought a fancy yoga mat, downloaded three meditation apps, and even tried a juice cleanse , but there were days when “self-care” turned into binge-watching Netflix instead of taking a walk outside.
The good news? I wasn’t alone. The focus on mental health in 2024 made it clear that we all need a break. Whether that’s scheduling regular “mental health days” or simply taking 10 minutes to unplug, people started recognizing the importance of putting themselves first. Because let’s face it, if you don’t take care of yourself, time won’t slow down to give you a breather.
As I reflect on 2024, it’s clear that I didn’t cross off every item on my to-do list. But here’s the thing: the pressure to accomplish everything can sometimes overshadow what truly matters. Life is about balance, and while time moves quickly, it’s up to us to decide how we use it. Whether I spent too much time scrolling through social media or finally made the decision to learn something new, each moment was an opportunity to grow.
And, honestly, sometimes the most valuable use of time is to take a break. To sit with a cup of coffee, watch a sunset, or call a friend you haven’t spoken to in months. It’s not all about ticking boxes—it’s about making the moments you have count.
So, here we are—2025. Looking back at 2024, I realize that time may fly, but we’re still in control of how we choose to spend it. The world changed, sure, but so did I. This year wasn’t about perfection; it was about learning how to prioritize, how to slow down, and how to make time for what really matters. As we head into 2025, maybe it’s time to step off autopilot and steer our own course, whether that’s by setting clearer goals or simply taking the time to appreciate the little things. Time won’t wait. But we’re the pilots. So let’s take the wheel and make this year count.
By: Parina Dholakia
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