Things I’ve Learned in 2024

2024, a year of endless growth, authenticity and joy.

Somehow we have reached the end of 2024, despite it feeling like only last week that I wrote my ‘Reflections on 2023’ blog post. I couldn’t be more grateful for the past year: for the people in my life; the release of Girl Unmasked and becoming a Sunday Times Bestseller at the age of 22; for seeing the Northern Lights in my back garden; for trips to Amsterdam, Slovenia, Venice and Thailand; turning 23 and the excitement of Taylor Swift; continuing to work as a mental health nurse; all the books that I have read; and the love I have for my life. It’s an odd thing to say and to feel, but I truly feel like I’ve grown up this year in a multitude of ways (but maybe that’s just because I’m nearing 25, which is said to be when your brain is fully developed…;) )

Amongst all the chaos, fun and important lessons 2024 has brought, I’ve learned some things that I thought I’d share.

  1. You can’t change what happened to you. But you can use your experiences for good.

  2. You have time. You can do anything, but not everything all at once.

  3. Vulnerability isn’t always a bad thing. Connection and growth happens when you’re vulnerable.

  4. Unlearning the survival strategies you developed when you had no other choice takes time. Your brain is trying to protect you.

  5. You will feel ready when you feel ready. We are all on our own timelines.

  6. You won’t always be the same version of yourself. That is a scary but beautiful thing.

  7. You can’t change everything. And it’s not your responsibility to.

  8. Being authentically you will make you so much happier than trying to be like everyone else.

I have felt really happy this year - and I write that with tears in my eyes, because I remember how painful life used to be. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve felt all the usual stress and anxiety of life and working in a challenging 9-5 job, but not to the extent (bar a few weeks at the start of the year of an OCD spiral) that I’ve struggled with day-to-day life because of my mental health.

I know I will always look back on 2024 as a very special year. Thank you to everyone who has been there throughout and to every single person who has picked up a copy of Girl Unmasked and written to me to tell me what it meant to you.

As you read people’s reflections on the year, please remember that everything you see online is a highlight reel or the bits people feel comfortable sharing online. Please try not to compare your year to someone’s you’ve read about on a screen. Whatever you have achieved - even if that is just getting out of bed or making it to the end of the year - is enough and you should be proud of yourself.

Happy New Year.

All my love, Emily x

What have you learned this year?

GIRL UNMASKED (The Sunday Times Bestseller) is available to order from Amazon and all major bookstores! Hardback is out now, paperback is available for pre-order and out 27th February 2025. https://linktr.ee/girlunmasked

Next
Next

My Year in Books