Hey there! I'm back with a festive greeting, a reflective chat, and a sneak peek into my year that’s rounding off in a swirl of tinsel and Christmas lights. If you’re tuning in right on the big day, Merry Christmas! And if you’re celebrating another beautiful tradition, happy holidays to you too.

Before we plunge headfirst into holiday bliss, I’ve got to share something near and dear to my heart. Life around this time can often feel like a whirlwind of glittery pressure. Gifts to buy, decorations to perfect, and a festivity list longer than Santa’s “nice” list. But here’s a little reminder: you don't need all the glitz and glam to make Christmas magical. Remember why we celebrate—love, hope, and sometimes a pinch of peace amid the chaos.

If you need some soul food, check out the Christmas story in the Bible. Trust me, it's got all the original plot twists.

Okay, cue the jingle bells—we have some fun end-of-year things to cover!

My 2024 Year Reviewed

This year I embarked on another journey, inspired by the amazing podcasters Gretchen Rubin and her sister, to create a list of 24 things I wanted to accomplish in 2024. Why, you ask? Because traditional New Year's resolutions are so passé! This was about setting realistic, achievable, and not set-in-stone goals to gently nudge me in the right direction.

Guess what? Life happened, and newsflash: I didn't check off every single item—and that's perfectly okay! Here are some wins, some almost-there’s, and some meh-we’ll-see-that-next-year highlights.

Wins That Deserve Sparkles ✨

  1. Organize a Mom's Gathering: My vision bloomed into Mom Boss Mastermind, a virtual haven for mompreneurs. Moms everywhere are welcome to join!
  2. Release 52 Podcast Episodes: Nailed. It. Next week marks the 100th episode and I'm on cloud nine!
  3. Run a Marathon: Yep, 26.2 miles of sweat and tears. The goal wasn’t to be the quickest, but to finish, and boy, that medal feels heavy with pride.
  4. Attend Podcast Meetups: Almost there—2 out of 3 ain’t bad! Met some rockstar podcaster moms at the Podcasting Moms Conference and Pod Fest in Nashville.
  5. Family Camping Trip: We braved the wild and loved it. Tent, stars, s’mores—the whole shebang. We’ll be doing this rendezvous with nature again.

Almost’s and Maybe-Next-Year’s

  1. Read 12 Books: Hit around 8 thanks to my trusty audiobook pals—Libby, you rock my literary world. Could 2025 be the year for double digits?
  2. DIY Bath Bombs: This is a confession—I’ve been more of a shower gal lately. Baths are great, but, you know, Netflix and the couch won me over.
  3. Voiceover Gigs: Yep, the podcast took center stage.
  4. Rage Room Experience: Close, but didn't happen! After turning 40, I loved the mellow vibe of a celebration. But, hey, a little rage room action didn’t get erased, just postponed.

So here we are, standing on the brink of a new year. While I wrap up some 2024 goals, I’m already dreaming of the 25 in 2025 list. What will roll over? What new adventures await? I’m buzzing with curiosity, and well, a touch of holiday spirit too.

If you haven’t tried this method yet, skip the resolutions and go for a yearly goal list. It’s flexible, forgiving, and oh-so-fun.

Wrapping it Up with a Bow 🎀

Enjoy today, soak up the love, and take that well-earned pause. Whether it’s your first visit to Secret Mom Hacks or your 99th (cheers to the loyal ones!), I’m grateful to have shared this journey with you.

Here’s a toast to family gatherings, goal setting, and living this beautifully unpredictable adventure we call life. Meet you in 2025 for the 100th episode celebration!

Until then, you’ve got this, Mama. 💪

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
-Krista-

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