This is my year in review, and let me tell you, 2024 was definitely a great and fulfilling year!
Back in September 2023, I was let go from a job after they found out I had applied elsewhere. Between October and November 2023, I went through the interview and waiting process for that application and was finally offered the job around mid-November. At the end of November, my dad and I packed the car, shipped a POD, and drove down to Florida. On December 1st, I received the keys to my apartment, and on December 4th, I started my new job.
Not long after, I met a woman, and, believe it or not, we started dating a couple of weeks later. We even marked our official start date as Christmas. 2023 ended with a girlfriend and plenty of hopes and goals for 2024.
January 2024
I had a very eventful January. I ended up getting sick, and things escalated quickly. Early in the month, I traveled to North Florida to meet my ex-girlfriend’s family (spoiler alert) for the first time. Because it was January and we drove further north, the weather was colder—reaching about 30 degrees. I had already started feeling under the weather before the trip, and by the time we returned, I was very sick.
The illness lingered for a couple of weeks, and I kept visiting Urgent Care because none of the prescribed medications were helping. A key challenge was that I was still in the probationary period at my new job, which meant I didn’t have health insurance yet. All of my visits were paid out of pocket. Unfortunately, without insurance, it felt like the doctors didn’t take me as seriously and avoided prescribing more “expensive” medications.
Mid-January, things took a turn. My mom and uncle flew down to help and brought me to the same Urgent Care. They told the doctors to run every possible test and assured them that money was not an issue. Finally, I was properly tested and diagnosed with untreated Mono that had developed into severe Tonsillitis. It had gotten so bad that I lost 20 pounds in just two and a half weeks.
Thankfully, after being prescribed the right antibiotics and steroids, I started to feel better. By the end of January, I was finally on the mend.
February 2024
February was pretty uneventful. Not much happened as I spent the month settling into my new job and getting to know the role better.
March 2024
Spring break was a mix of highs and lows. I took my ex-girlfriend to Connecticut to meet my family. Things were going well—she loved everything except the cold! We went hiking on Talcott Mountain, and she met my family, who adored her. Unfortunately, she started feeling unwell during the trip. She flew back early for work, while I stayed a few extra days.
A day after I returned, she ended our relationship. Out of respect for her, I won’t share any details, but I accepted her decision.
At the end of the month, around Easter, I celebrated my birthday. It was a simple celebration spent with family, and that was enough.
April 2024 – June 2024
During this time, I focused on settling into my job and building connections. I spent these months getting to know my role and meeting many people within the district. Since I work for a school system, we have summers off, but as an 11-month employee, I only get a break during the latter half of June and the beginning of July.
Reaching the end of the school year was a rewarding milestone, even though I had technically only worked half the year. During that time, I was able to grow with my team, strengthen our relationships, and feel more connected to the district as a whole.
End of June 2024 / Beginning of July 2024
This time was all about enjoying life! I can’t say I did absolutely nothing—haha! I made the most of it by visiting Universal Studios, thanks to my Universal Annual Pass, and exploring more parks. I also went on a few dates, spent relaxing evenings on my patio sipping wine, and listening to music.
Honestly, it felt perfect—exactly what I needed!
September 2024
September brought a mix of tradition and an unexpected surprise. Every September, Massachusetts hosts a massive fair called the Big Eastern Conference, or The Big E. It’s a beloved tradition, and I’ve attended every year for as long as I can remember. Even though it was my first year living outside of Connecticut, I wasn’t about to miss it.
I flew back home, spent time with family, and went to the Big E with my mom. It was an amazing trip—until disaster struck.
I’m allergic to three major things: gluten, dairy, and egg. One of my favorite fair treats is their sugar kettle corn, which I’ve enjoyed every year without issue. My mom had bought a bag before I arrived, and I happily snacked on it. On the day we visited the fair, I picked up another bag to bring home and dug into it later.
Unfortunately, my stomach began to rebel shortly afterward. Every meal hurt for days, and I assumed some of my kitchen spices or sauces might have expired or gone bad. After some investigation, I asked a friend to check with the kettle corn stand. To my shock, they revealed that their recipe included butter. Yes, butter—one of my allergens!
It took about a week of drinking excessive amounts of water and sticking to foods that could absorb the butter before I started to feel better. Lesson learned: always double-check, even with long-standing favorites!
Thankfully, the rest of September was smooth sailing.
October 2024
October was uneventful but reflective. The month was mostly routine—work as usual, with nothing particularly new or challenging.
However, by mid-October, the idea for the Blank Slate project started forming in my mind. It was the spark of something new, a moment where I began contemplating fresh goals and aspirations for my life. At that point, they were just thoughts, but the seeds had been planted.
November 2024
November was about growth and new ideas. Elections were a big topic, and I couldn’t resist poking the bear now and then. Beyond that, I focused on enjoying life. I also started going to church more frequently, which felt grounding.
The Blank Slate project began to take clearer shape during this time. I started mapping out what I truly wanted from the project and how I could track my progress. One goal that stood out was buying land, which became a more defined aspiration. Around the same time, I discovered Barndominiums, and after some research, I quickly fell in love with the idea.
December 2024
Writing this on Christmas, December 25th, I find myself reflecting on some recent changes. I’ve moved into a new apartment complex. While I could have afforded my previous place, the combination of high student loan payments and a rent increase made it unsustainable. So, here I am in my new apartment—cheaper and smaller than before, but still a step forward.
Unfortunately, the downside is that I can hear every single step my upstairs neighbors take. Half of the noise comes from the younger kids and pets, and the other half is just the result of living in an old building that squeaks at every turn. But I believe we must make sacrifices in life to reach our goals and move forward. This move allows me to save a few hundred dollars each month, which I can put toward bills, debt, savings, or investments. And for that, it’s worth it.
In the coming weeks, my family will fly down to spend New Year’s week with me. I’ll give them the grand tour, and it’ll be a wonderful way to end the year—surrounded by family.
2025 Plans, Goals, and Aspirations
I’m really excited for 2025! The first full week of January, I’ll be traveling to Vegas for CES. I’ll be sure to make a post about that when I get back. On February 1st, I’ll be presenting at a conference, which is another exciting milestone. This year is going to be all about savings for me. I plan to save more, and 2025 will be the first big year of paying off all my debt. The goal is to be debt-free in 4-5 years, and 2025 is year one.
I also hope to settle into my new place and make it feel more like home. I want to continue working out and start seeing real progress. Becoming more knowledgeable in my faith is another priority, and I’m determined to get closer to reaching my goal of buying my own property.
I’m open to new experiences and committed to staying off social media as much as possible.
I’ve really enjoyed this year. There’s been a lot of change, growth, and new experiences. I’ve met so many new people, and I continue to do so. I’m looking forward to what this new year has to offer. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read.
Have a wonderful end to your 2024 and an amazing start to 2025!
God bless you all!