What 2024 Taught Me: Progress, Resilience, and Small Joys
As 2024 comes to an end, I’ve been reflecting on everything this year brought my way—the wins, the curveballs, and the lessons I didn’t see coming. I started January with a list of goals and big plans, knowing full well life as a working mom was bound to be unpredictable.
While I didn’t accomplish everything on my list, I made more progress than I could have hoped for, and grown in ways I had no idea I could. Along the way, I learned to embrace imperfection and celebrate the small wins. Here’s a look back at the moments that shaped my year.
Big Goals and Unexpected Wins
At the top of my list this year was not missing many days of the 2023/24 skiing season and running a marathon. The first one was fairly easy, but training for a marathon postpartum wasn’t that easy. It may have looked different on Instagram, but we all know it's just a snippet. There were sleepless nights, schedule conflicts, and moments I doubted whether I could do it.
But through it all, I kept going. I ran for my mental health but also to build my endurance. And one year postpartum, I crossed the finish line of my first marathon as a mum—with a Boston Qualifying time!
It wasn’t just about hitting the goal—it was about proving to myself that I could. Motherhood has a way of reshaping you, and this year showed me that I’m more resilient than I ever imagined.
Professional Progress: Outside My Comfort Zone
This year, I committed to sending out 20 newsletters. I ended up writing 26—including this one! Writing about my life and work has never come naturally to me, but every reply, every “this really resonated with me” message makes it so worth it.
I also set a goal to grow this newsletter to 100 subscribers. I’m not there yet, but every new reader feels like a little celebration. Your support means everything, and I’d love your help spreading the word! Please forward this newsletter, to one other person.
Another highlight? Being invited to speak on podcasts about women’s health, glucose, and behavior change. These conversations remind me why I do what I do and inspire me to keep learning and sharing.
Parenting Lessons (and Hacks That Help)
Parenting this year was a masterclass in creative problem-solving. A few hacks that made life easier:
- Habit stacking for the win. I started sneaking in small habits during everyday moments—like doing Blackroll stretches next to the bathtub while watching my son splash around. These tiny wins made me feel like I was taking care of myself without adding pressure to my day.
- Snacks everywhere. The diaper bag, car, gym bag—you name it. Hunger emergencies don’t wait, and a well-timed snack can turn chaos into calm in seconds.
- Sharing the load. Whether it was asking for help during rough weeks or leaning on my husband and support system, I learned that you don’t have to do everything yourself. (And let’s be honest, you shouldn’t!)
My Support System: The Real MVPs
Fitness played a huge role in keeping me grounded this year, and it wouldn’t have been possible without my support system.
In the early days, my son was my workout buddy. He’d sit happily play on the floor while I squeezed in postnatal exercises. Later, my husband and teammates stepped in, helping me balance marathon training with parenting and work.
It’s a reminder that no goal is ever truly solo. Having people who cheer you on, help with the logistics, or just give you a much-needed pep talk makes all the difference.
Self-Care in the Small Moments
Self-care didn’t look glamorous this year, but it was meaningful. A few things that helped me feel more like me:
- Listening to audiobooks and podcasts during walks or errands. It was a way to recharge mentally, even if the day felt nonstop.
- Watching the leaves sway in the wind—those quiet moments reminded me to slow down and appreciate the simple joys. (We don't have much wind in Colorado, but a light breeze makes all the difference)
- Keeping up with tiny habits that brought comfort, like stretching or a few moments of fresh air before starting the day.
What Kept Me Grounded
If there’s one thing 2024 taught me, it’s the importance of staying adaptable. Not everything went according to plan, but I leaned into flexibility and found creative ways to make things work:
- Rearranging work around nap times (and becoming a pro at squeezing big tasks into small windows of time).
- Letting go of the idea of “perfect” workouts and focusing instead on just showing up. Some days, it was a perfectly executed training run; other days, it was listening to my body and taking it easy —and both counted.
- Reframing setbacks as opportunities to try something different.
The Sweetest Celebration
This year, the most meaningful birthday wasn’t mine—it was my son’s first. Watching him eating his pancake tower before we could snap a photo was a moment of pure joy. It reminded me of how far we’ve come in the past year.
Motherhood has been my greatest challenge and my greatest reward. It’s messy, beautiful, and full of surprises, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
People said I' lose myself when I became a mother. But they're wrong. I became a new version of myself, stronger, and more compassionate that I would have ever imagined.
Looking Ahead
As I think about 2025, I’m carrying forward the lessons I’ve learned this year:
- Progress, not perfection.
- Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
- No more second-guessing myself and my worth.
- And sometimes, joy is found in the simplest moments—like a warm tea or a quiet walk.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Whether you’ve read one newsletter or all 26, your support means more than I can put into words. I’m so excited to see what the next year holds, and I hope you’ll join me for whatever comes next.
Warm wishes,
Marie-Luise