I’ve been writing a version of this post since 2010 and in that time it’s become one of my favourite new year rituals. With a long list of client work to get through in January, it’s tempting to neglect my own content and throw myself into creating for others. But putting these thoughts and reflections down on digital paper is the only way I know how to ease myself into another year of writing and creating.
Overall, 2024 was a good year. It wasn’t an easy one, especially in my business, and I’ve also watched people I love navigate some deeply painful experiences, but I’ve emerged with more good memories than bad. For this, I’m extremely grateful.
Looking Back…
Travel and adventure remained a top priority in 2024. It was the year of the mini-break with trips to York, London, Paris, and Pembrokeshire.
I loved documenting these short getaways in travel scrapbooks. Paris is still a work in progress, but the other cities feature in a notebook dedicated to mini-breaks and day trips. I’m excited to keep adding to this in 2025. Plans are afoot for another bookish adventure with my mum {we’re thinking Brontë country} and Carl and I are hoping to book a long-haul family holiday for the summer. I’ll keep you posted!
I worked on some incredible projects last year, writing copy for seven websites and more blog posts and marketing emails than I can count. I created a lot for my own audience too. As well as writing regularly for this blog, I finally moved my mailing list to Substack and launched my new publication, Larking About. I am really excited about writing and growing over there in 2025.
After a few years playing it safe and hiding on Stories, Instagram was a big focus for me in 2024. I wanted to reinvigorate my relationship with the platform and show up more – two goals I definitely achieved! I had a lot of fun posting on the grid, experimenting with new types of content, and making Reels. I grew my confidence, increased my following, and even went a little bit viral at one point!
Charlie and I continued to share regular conversations on our podcast, Friends With Business Benefits, and celebrated our 100th episode by recording it live on Instagram. I was also a guest on Reclaiming Mum, a brilliant parenting podcast hosted by Dr. Jemma Andrew-Adiamah.
In June, I delivered a guest workshop and Q&A for Therapists Corner, an experience I’m hoping to repeat in the spring. I love collaborating in this way. If you have a group membership or community who might benefit from learning how to write their own copy and content, do get in touch.
It was a big year for Izzy. As well as spending six weeks travelling in Australia, she was finally accepted into drama school in London. The audition process is brutal, so we were all relieved to know she wouldn’t have to put herself through it a third time! Izzy moved into her student house in September, and I’m pleased to say she successfully survived her first term! I missed her a lot, but I’m also incredibly proud. It’s hard to beat watching your children chase and achieve their dreams.
Jesse turned 15 in 2024 and grew more than a few inches! He towers over me, and it won’t be long until he overtakes Carl too. Jesse’s current passions include drumming, gaming, cooking, Magic: The Gathering and listening to his favourite bands. He’s now in his final year of secondary school with his GCSE exams just a few months away. Izzy was in Year 10 and 11 during the pandemic {meaning all her formal exams were cancelled}, so it feels like our first time supporting a child through this process. Wish us luck!
Scrapbooking and creative play continued to bring me a lot of joy in 2024. After casually deciding to pick up a new hobby in 2021, I’ve reached a point where I can’t imagine life without my craft supplies, notebooks, scissors and glue. In 2025, I want to nurture this passion and incorporate aspects of it into my business. The best way to be part of this new chapter is by joining my mailing list.
Looking Forward…
As usual, I’m choosing to enter the new year slowly and gently. I’m not diving in – I’m tiptoeing quietly!
I do not believe January is the best time to make big changes or overhaul your life. Instead, I like to use this fallow time of year to imagine, dream and plan. You’ll find me making lists, creating a vision board and focusing on how I want to spend the next 12 months.
I always start by thinking about the words and images I’d like to include next time I come to write this blog post. I hope I have more travel stories to share, and some sun-drenched photos to accompany them. I’d like to be able to say I spent a lot of time writing and creating. As always, I plan to prioritise self-care and maintain the small, daily habits that make a big difference to my overall health and wellbeing.
‘I’m curious. Period. I find everything interesting. Real life. Fake life. Objects. Flowers. Cats. But mostly people. If you keep your eyes open and your mind open, everything can be interesting.’ – Agnes Varda
My guiding word for 2025 is ’curious’. It feels like the perfect way to follow my year of creative play. Over the next twelve months, I want to practice being curious about everything and less afraid of change. I want to learn and explore new things, seek out new experiences, and make some bold choices, just to see what happens. Following my curiosity wherever it takes me, I will continue to play and experiment in both my personal and professional life. I can’t wait to see where I end up!
How about you? What are your hopes and dreams for 2025?
Love Audrey xxx
P.S. Can you believe I’ve been sharing a version of this post every January for more than a decade?
