Best of 2024
moments, milestones, and media that made my year
I used to be so adamant about sharing the highlights of my year as it came to a close—the big wins, the standout moments, the milestones. But as I look back on 2024, I’ve realized that what truly mattered weren’t the highlights at all. It was the quieter moments, the lessons I learned, and the way I grew into myself that shaped this year into something unforgettable.
Despite having a consistent journaling routine and keeping my pages up to date on a regular basis, I actually don’t have any year-end recaps I do on a regular basis. I used to think this was a flaw; but as I got older, the more I realized that whatever I plan to remember can change and I can be okay with that.
And yet, while I don’t have a fixed tradition of year-end recaps, I still love looking back at the things that shaped my year—the media that inspired me, the moments that brought joy, and the small discoveries that made life feel fuller. Here’s a recap of my year, in five favorites.
Creative Projects
work endeavours that were truly worth my time and creative energy
Monthly mail for Patreon. I love exploring different formats and this year I really pushed the envelope (ha, pun intended) with zines, prints, sticker sheets, and experimenting on different themes per month. Recently I moved the cutoff to mid-month which has been good for my mental health and for getting the mail packed and sent out earlier in the month.
YouTube. I know this isn’t something big because I work as a creator and it’s mandatory to be uploading videos weekly (in my calendar), but my editor Kaz and I really poured so much time and energy into my videos this year! Coincidentally I signed on as a talent at a creator agency, which felt like a level up at work. Got to work with cool brands like Skillshare, Notion, and Saily. Squarespace next year? 🙏🏻
Freelance work. This year my design projects doubled (!) and it was either a hit or miss. Nevertheless, it was always filled with lots of learnings and I now know what projects I want to work on (and pay well). Favorites: Mini Book Makers Club (3rd year designing for my biz bestie’s brand), Serenitea, Documented issue 2
Summer workshops. This huge ordeal (8 workshops in New York and San Francisco, flying from Berlin to NY then to SF then back to NY in a month) tested my patience and challenged my limits, and I’m so grateful it all unfolded so beautifully. As I sat on my window seat on my evening flight from east to west coast, tears were rolling down my eyes because I realized this has been a long time coming. And I made it happen. And I got to work with some of my favorite people—some of the kindest and easiest to work with. And I got to meet some of the most amazing people in this community. All around good things.
Instagram. For years I dreaded posting on social media and it felt like I was being too pretentious and it was hard to really figure out what I wanted to share. I worked with Sop for the second half of the year (mostly on workshops + content) and we really steered the content around to what it is now. Favorites: Lessons I learned in my creative journey, How to build a journaling habit, August in America
Travels
trips that allowed me to see what’s out there
Copenhagen in April was a creative reset I didn’t know I needed
Gdańsk in June was a memorable misadventure with one of my favorite people
SoCal in June was all about being brave (imagine seeing your ex at a wedding and surviving? she did *that*) and building beautiful friendships
New York and San Francisco in August was a whirlwind physically and mentally, but a big win at work (see above: summer workshops)
Arles in November was another creative reset—and it made me realize I need these resets at least twice a year to keep my creative energy refreshed (gotta save up!)
Personal Highlights
things outside of work that I was proud of
I cooked a lot. I have to thank The Foodie Takes Flight (even got to hang out with Jeeca IRL while in New York) and NYT Cooking (especially Eric Kim) for the recipes. I realized I like to follow recipes and keep to a certain cuisine (mostly Asian) and I’m okay with that. At the end of the day, I like to make and eat good food that doesn’t take forever to cook and doesn’t taste like crap.
I dedicated time to workout at least 2-3x a week. Whoever thought I would actually enjoy strength class and doing lunges?! I still don’t, but the high and mental stability I get from after every workout keeps me going. Favorites: yoga, Beat81, and spin class.
I made new friends and actually met up with people. First of all: who is she?!? Second, this was truly an exercise in being confident with myself and not hiding under my work mask all the time. I learned that I can show up as my whole self and not be ashamed of that. This department is still a work in progress, but feeling mega proud 🥹
I learned to take no shit. If I can’t tolerate something or if someone wrongs me and I know it won’t sit well with me, I will walk away because I want to protect my peace.
I paid my taxes for the first time as a German resident. Which simply means I earn enough to have to pay taxes and ever since I heard someone mention that paying taxes is like a subscription fee for living in your city, my brain looks at it differently now, lol. Kidding aside, this is a major achievement for me because I had to research and figure most of this out on my own as an immigrant and freelancer. Also: new knowledge unlocked!
Films and TV
my Letterboxd has all the receipts
The Holdovers - watched in New York for $5 on a cold January afternoon, hands down best $5 I spent ever
Challengers - the hyperfixation after watching stayed with me (also Mike Faist is such a cutie pls)
An Inconvenient Love - the only Filipino film that made it to this list, very cute—I always rewatch it because I’m such a sucker for Filipino rom-coms
Can’t Buy Me Love - the hyperfixation on this Fil-Chi family arc though, unreal
Special mention: watching Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway on my birthday month was such a treat
Books and Podcasts
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld. The SNL lore and the slow burn combo took me out!
Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell. Heartwarming, cute, precious, gentle, sweet. Loved it so much I wish I could read it again for the first time.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton. A fun read, the one that kickstarted my fiction reading this year!
99% Invisible. Favorite episodes: Top Billing and The Lost Subways of North America
anything goes by emma chamberlain. Favorite episodes: oops I have a crush, friendship is complicated, self-sabotage
This was a memorable year—actually, looking back, it was a truly good year.
My word was rise, and I told myself I would allow myself to rise up—and show up—for myself. The possibilities felt endlessly abundant, and in the last twelve months, I made it a point to pay more attention to the present and bask in the simplicity of what makes life meaningful—coming home to myself, cherishing the people who enrich my life, and embracing experiences that deepen my appreciation for what’s around me.
Thanks for the highs, the lows, the pivotal moments, the days that nudged me in new directions, and the evenings spent reflecting, 2024.
2025 will be interesting. For once I’m not going to worry too much and let the universe do its magic. For once I want to be braver and open my heart even more. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll find the balance I’ve been searching for—while continuing to savor the beauty of simply being here.
💛