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As we bid farewell to 2024 and embrace the promise of a new year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the rollercoaster ride this year has been. It's been an year of tests and triumphs, growth and gratitude, tears and tenacity. And, as always, this time of the year is when I sit down to unpack the lessons that shaped me and the ones I hope will resonate with you as well. So every year, I choose a word or a phrase to guide me, to act as a reminder of how I want to approach life in that particular year. For 2023, that word was celebrate, a commitment to celebrate small wins instead of rushing to the next thing. And for 2024, my phrase was grateful for the ingredients, grateful for the ingredients, grateful for the ingredients, where it's all about appreciating not just the final outcomes but every step of the journey, the raw materials, the process, the efforts, the stumbles and the small victories that ultimately create something meaningful. And let me tell you, this mindset has been my anchor this year. Let's talk about the lessons. So the first one is celebrate the journey, not just the destination. So 2024 reminded me that life isn't just about the big moments, but about finding joy in the process, the little ingredients. So this year started as a test of everything I had learned in the past my patience, self-belief and ability to contain my emotions. It was tough no sugarcoating it here. It was tough. But by the month of March I found myself rejuvenated after a trip to India spending quality time with my family. It was a gift I'll cherish forever. This year also brought the highest number of podcast downloads I have ever received. It was a much needed reminder that there's always something good in adversity, always something good in adversity. And then, in the month of May, I recorded my first ever in-studio episode of my Thick Accent, three years after the podcast's idea was born. Well, these moments weren't just milestones. They were a celebration of the journey and a reminder to savor every step.

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Second resilience through highs and lows. So if I had to describe 2024 in one word, it would be resilience. From being laid off in January to battling homesickness and illness, this year threw some heavy punches at me. By the month of July I was questioning myself, my skills and my vision. And it's also the month of my birthday, and birthdays always do that to me. They become these checkpoints where I ask what have I achieved so far? And if the answer isn't what I hoped for. It's hard not to feel defeated, but then life threw in some unexpected highs as well. I gave my first ever live radio interview in Punjabi, in my mother tongue, on Red FM. I also made my Canadian TV debut on Just TV and got featured in not one but two magazines. And these experiences reminded me that resilience isn't just about enduring the tough times. It's also about finding the light when it feels dark.

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The third one the importance of community connection and audience. So 2024 was a year of reconnection for me. My extended stay in India allowed me to understand my parents in ways I never had before, spending few months with them instead of those casual three, four weeks. It gave me a new perspective on their lives and their struggles, which they have never shared with me on a long distance call. And I also reconnected with some of my friends I haven't met in six years. And professionally, I had the opportunity to work on the digital communications team for the One Young World conference in September. It was a privilege to meet some incredible people from around the world and have those meaningful conversations. Additionally, connecting with my podcast audience has been an incredibly rewarding experience this year, hearing from listeners who found resonance and value in the stories we shared on MyThicAccent, made me realize the profound impact of storytelling. These experiences reinforced the value of community and connection, both personally and professionally.

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Number four celebrating wins, big and small. So this year I launched season two of my Thick Accent and for the first time it wasn't just audio, it was video too, and this shift brought more eyeballs to the show and led to my first ever sponsorship, a partnership with Humber College for one of their programs. And these wins were a reminder to pause and celebrate, no matter how small or big, because every win is a stepping stone to something greater. And number five stone to something greater. And number five health is wealth. It's pretty cliche, but health is wealth. I say that because December hit me hard. I fell ill for nearly 15 days, battling flu symptoms, homesickness and a deep sense of loneliness. Those days made me realize more than ever that health is the foundation of everything. Without it, everything else becomes secondary.

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On a brighter note, 2024 was also the year I finally committed to my fitness journey. I have made significant progress over the past eight months, achieving my goals and maintaining a balanced diet, etc. Etc. And this journey has been a powerful reminder that taking care of yourself is not just important, it's very, very essential. So, as I reflect on 2024, I'm with gratitude. Gratitude for the ingredients that made up this year the highs, the lows, the lessons and the love.

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So for 2025, I have chosen a new guiding phrase take the leap and believe. Take the leap and believe. It's a mantra for courage and faith courage to step out of our comfort zones and faith to believe in the journey, even when the path is uncertain. No matter how uncertain or challenging things get, there's always something good waiting on the other side. I deeply believe in my skills, my vision and my ability to build the life I desire, and I hope this episode inspires you to reflect on your own ear, find gratitude in the journey and embrace the ingredients that make life so beautifully imperfect. Thank you for being a part of my 2024. Here's to a hopeful, fulfilling and incredible 2025. Happy New Year.