Time has been called on 2024. So it is now time to reflect on the past.
How was 2024?
Jackson
After losing Squeebs last year, I was adamant that we wouldn’t get another cat. The house felt balanced, and introducing a third might disrupt the peace.
But the husby had other ideas. He’d missed having a ginger cat around, and after months of gentle persuasion, I finally caved and agreed to let him get one.
There were conditions, of course. It had to be a ginger cat, and only one! Though, trust me, he often tried to bend those rules.
Finding a ginger cat wasn’t easy. Every time one came up for adoption, it was snapped up straight away. But after much persistence, we eventually brought Jackson home from Millstream Animal Sanctuary.
Jackson is a real character and ticks all the boxes for typical ginger cat traits. Thankfully, he gets on well with both Maki and Tia, and the harmony in the house remains intact.
And, just so you know, I’m Jackson’s favourite. Just saying!
Anniversary
Who could have believed it’s been 10 whole years since the husby and I tied the knot? It feels like yesterday we were saying our vows, yet so much has happened in that time.
To mark this special milestone, we decided to celebrate with a small gathering. A wee party to reflect on the past decade and all the memories we’ve made.
Here’s to the next 10 years, filled with more laughter, love, and unforgettable moments!
1 Year Sobriety
At the start of the year, I decided to do Dry January. To be honest, the thought of going beyond that wasn’t even on my radar, somehow, I managed to make it through the entire year.
Earlier in 2024, I shared the reasons behind my decision to go dry and the positive changes I was already noticing. Looking back, the journey wasn’t always easy, but it was rewarding.
I welcomed 2025 in with a dram of whisky and a couple of pints. So yes, the sobriety phase has officially come to an end. But just to be clear, this doesn’t mean I’m returning to my old drinking habits. I’ve learned a lot over the past year, and the experience has shifted my approach for good.
Goals Review
As the 2024 chapter closes, it’s time to review the goals I set at the beginning of the year and see what I accomplished!
Spoiler alert…not very well!
Career Goal:
Web Mike website
My intention for 2024 was to never have my professional work site finished and up and running. It was all about getting the foundations being put in place.
That didn’t happen! I didn’t even think about this goal, let alone touch it.
In fact, I decided to put this goal on the back burner while I built another website…which I haven’t developed either!
So I wasn’t achieving much here at all, was I?
The plan for 2025 is to finish the friend’s website (which is very much overdue), which will give me the skills and confidence to tackle my professional site.
However, this year I have been questioning whether or not to proceed with my personal website. I did say that if traffic didn’t increase 10% year-on-year, I would rest the website.
Not only did the website exceed this target (30%), the year ended with the most visitors and views that the website has had since becoming ‘Life of Mike’.
For 2025, I need to do something with the ‘Life of Mike’ website. There is also a number of grievances I have with the current implementation that need to be resolved too.
Not achieved
Finance Goal:
Reduce credit card
2024 started positively when it came to this goal.
I switched to an interest-free credit card and started paying significantly more than the minimum payment required.
Although the plan was to use it only for occasional and emergency purposes, that idea went out the window a bit.
Yes, I had to use the card for emergencies, like buying new appliances, and for larger expenses, such as Kylie’s Tension tour tickets. However, I also ended up using it for many smaller purchases.
The goal was to reduce the balance on the credit card, but I can confirm that hasn’t happened!
Oh well! There is always next year!
Not achieved
Fun & Recreation Goal:
Fifty before 50
As I quickly approach half a century, I decided to create a bucket list of things I want to accomplish.
2024 was meant to be the year to start checking things off, and I was determined to make progress.
I managed to check off one thing!
No kidding, the only thing I actually did was compete in the CrossFit Open.
There were so many other things I could have done… but didn’t.
So now it’s time for me to get my arse into gear and start crossing things off the list!
Not achieved
Health & Fitness Goal:
Improve nutrition
For 2024, I aimed to focus on the nutritional side of fitness and see if I could make improvements there.
My main goal was to examine my relationship with food and figure out how to make it healthier.
The reality is that my relationship with food didn’t change in 2024. I still don’t eat properly, and when I do, it’s not always the healthiest choice.
I did make some positive changes last year, that I believe have had a real impact on me.
First, I embarked on a year-long sobriety journey. While I initially didn’t plan on staying sober for more than a month, I ended up sticking it out for the entire year.
I also have mild IBS, which has a significant effect on both my body internally and externally. It’s been a major factor in my body dysmorphia, especially concerning my stomach.
After reading that Vitamin D3 & K2 supplements could benefit gut health, I decided to give them a try. Anything’s better than doing nothing, right?
With these changes, along with my continued commitment to exercise, I’ve noticed a noticeable improvement in my appearance, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the progress.
So yes, technically I didn’t achieve this goal. However, I’m calling this a semi-win!
Semi-achieved