As the year wraps up, I always take time to pause, reflect, and reset. Before diving into setting goals for the new year, I like to look back on the past 12 months and really evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and where I want to go next. My “Year in Review” has become a cherished exercise, and it gives me so much clarity as I plan for the year ahead.

If you haven’t done your own review yet, I highly recommend carving out some time! Here are a few questions I use to guide my reflection:

• What worked and what didn’t this year?
• Did I achieve the goals I set out to accomplish?
• Are there specific goals I want to pursue in the coming year?
• What were my revenue and expenses?
• Where can I reduce expenses and increase revenue?
• Which areas brought in the most and least revenue?

Answering these questions always gives me insight into my personal and professional growth while helping me chart a path forward. I started this reflective practice in 2020, and it’s incredible to see how much my life and business have evolved in just a year.

Now, let’s dive into my 2024 Year in Review and some of the goals I’m excited to pursue in 2025!

2024 Year In Review

2024 Year in Review | The Good

Looking back, there’s so much I’m proud of and grateful for this year:

• Took a long-overdue trip to Cancun with my husband
• Organized my kids’ school memory bins and caught up on their baby books
• Purchased a new vehicle—with cash!
• Launched my Etsy shop featuring apparel and mugs for creatives, entrepreneurs, and moms
• Participated in the Belle Lumiere Creative Collaboration
• Attended the Hybrid Collective Conference in Texas and visited Magnolia
• Photographed 10 stunning weddings and 30 senior sessions
• Expanded the education side of my business
• Completely overhauled my website
• Wrote extensively for my upcoming course: The Entrepreneur Blueprint
• Used AI technology to speed up culling and editing images
• Made amazing new friends in the industry through conferences
• Celebrated 11 wonderful years of marriage
• Supported Millie through her hip surgery and celebrated her relearning how to walk (a huge milestone for her!)
• Potty-trained our last baby—goodbye diapers!
• Helped Owen get his driving temps
• Finished reading the Harry Potter series with Owen
• Spent intentional time focusing on my mental health
• Took on fewer weddings and sessions to enjoy more time with my young kids
• Read 8 books
• Took the last 1.5 weeks of December off to enjoy the holidays with my family
• Upgraded to Starlink internet so I can finally work more efficiently

2024 Year in Review | The Challenges

Of course, not everything went perfectly this year. Here’s a look at some of the tougher moments:

• Millie’s hip surgery, while ultimately a positive, was incredibly challenging for her and our family. Watching her in pain and navigating recovery was pretty difficult!
• We continued to deal with GI issues for our youngest, Emilia.
• We experienced loss within our family, saying goodbye to a couple of uncles.
• I struggled to stay consistent with blogging, social media, and newsletters during busy seasons.
• Wedding bookings slowed significantly, and I faced a lot of ghosting.
• My course and coaching programs didn’t launch as planned.
• I had difficulty sticking to a block schedule and found myself wasting time scrolling social media.
• Some of my personal, financial, and business goals didn’t get checked off.
  

2025 Goals

Each year, I use Lara Casey’s Cultivate What Matters Powersheets to outline my goals. These sheets help me focus on what truly matters and create a clear plan to achieve it. Here’s what I’m aiming for in 2025:

• Follow a weekly block schedule.
• Read one book per month.
• Simplify and declutter our home.
• Work a four-day workweek (Fridays off!).
• Create passive income streams through my Etsy Shop, education, and product sales.
• Pay off our home.
• Batch content for newsletters, blogs, and social media weekly.
• Launch The Entrepreneur Blueprint Program.
• Stick to daily rhythms: make the bed, tidy the kitchen and bathroom, and do a load of laundry.
• Book six weddings and 35 senior sessions.
• Document more of my personal life through photos and journaling.
• Enjoy monthly date nights with my husband.
• Communicate more effectively (a challenge for this Enneagram 9!).
• Take a parenting course.
• Have nightly family dinners.
• Take one family vacation.
• Finish our camper renovation and go on a few camping trips.
• Limit screen time.
• Take the entire month of December off.
• Become a Profit First coach.
  

Word of the Year: Empower

For 2025, I’ve chosen empower as my word of the year! This word embodies growth, courage, confidence, and thriving—not just for myself but also for those I have the privilege of helping through my work. It’s about building the tools and strength to reach new heights while inspiring others to do the same. From launching my course to paying off our mortgage, this word feels like the perfect guide for the year ahead.

2024 was filled with highs, lows, and plenty of lessons. I’m grateful for the progress I made and ready to tackle 2025 with intention and purpose.

What’s a highlight from your 2024? Is there a challenge you’re ready to leave behind? And most importantly, what’s one goal you’re excited to chase in 2025? Let me know below—I’d love to cheer you on!