Time to Reflect on 2024

Taking time to reflect on 2024

As I sit here prepping for a massive snowstorm where they are calling for 6"-12" of snow, I can't help but to think how a pending snowstorm could potentially summarize how 2024 went for me. You see, going into a winter storm, you have a general sense of what is going to happen, when it is going to happen, and potentially how much precipitation you are going to get. However, just like life, curveballs are often thrown and sometimes a massive snowstorm fizzles out or is worse than anticipated.

Starting 2024, I knew some things were pretty solidified and when they were going to take place. We had 3 cruises planned. The first in February to the Caribbean out of Galveston, TX. The second in June to Alaska for 11 days out of San Francisco. The last one in September to Canada out of New York, NY. All of these trips happen as planned and they provided some of the best moments and memories of my life. I cannot stress enough how great having experiences are and I would trade in most of my material things to have more experiences like these.

However, quickly after the New Year started, I was impacted by a layoff in February. Maybe this snowstorm will fizzle out like the end of my tenure with a company I was loyal to and put everything I had into for nearly 18 years? It was my first "real" job out of college and I honestly had no plans to leave as I have always valued stability in my life since I can remember. I always knew I could make more money if I job hopped like I saw so many colleagues do but that just wasn't my mentality.

I can look back now though and say it might have been the best thing to happen to me from a career perspective. Although, at the moment, it was rough. I mean, at the time I had not interviewed with someone for almost 2 decades! The first cruise was a little tough because it was a week after my layoff. We still went because everything was already paid for and it ended up being timed perfectly because it allowed me to "get away" and take my mind off everything going on back home. So, why was it the best thing to happen? Well, I am now at a place that is completely stable, values what I bring to the organization, and gives me the freedom to innovate. You mean I can work on projects that I am passionate about with technology that is relevant!?

So, with a new career chapter starting, I did pause all my freelance and personal projects because I thought it was important to have my focus 100% on my new job. It also made me reevaluate my goals, personal and professional, and I hope to lay those out soon for 2025.

Like I said travel, layoff, and a new job. That sums up the highlights of 2024. In the end, I know I grew and learned a lot about myself during the course of the year and I look forward to what 2025 brings. For now, it is time to finish prepping for this storm.

—Jason