Living Authentically: What 2024 Taught Me

2024 was a transformative year for me.
Professionally, I left the comfort of a familiar role for one filled with uncertainty.
Personally, my life took a completely new direction as I navigated the challenges of separating from my partner of twenty years and stepping into the role of a single mum.

After spending 15 years teaching at the same school across various age groups (mostly Years 2 to 5), I was firmly in my comfort zone. It was a position where I had security and support, I had spent time in the senior leadership team and could comfortably balance the work load between this and being a classroom teacher. It felt safe.

And yet, throughout 2023, there was a nagging feeling I couldn’t ignore. I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t being the person I wanted to be. I wasn’t being true to myself. I wasn’t being authentic.

That inner voice pushed me to take a leap into the unknown—a new position at the local college. It was an environment I had never worked in before, and as February approached, I found myself oscillating between excitement and fear. I had left behind what I knew to step into a world I didn’t fully understand. How would it unfold?

The transition wasn’t easy. I had to learn so much, and quickly. The students were different, the systems were unfamiliar, and while I was still me, I needed to approach everything differently. I became the newbie—the one with all the questions, the one who needed guidance and support.

What I’ve learned through this experience is that growth doesn’t happen when we cling to the familiar. Real growth requires us to push past the boundaries of comfort, to listen to our inner voice, and to honour its call—even when it’s terrifying. True growth happens when we step out of our comfort zones and become the students again.

Though there were moments this year when I couldn’t see it, I now know this experience has been a gift. It has made me a better teacher and, more importantly, a better person.

Lessons From 2024

As I reflect on 2024, I feel a swirl of emotions: happiness, sadness, pride, and everything in between. But there are a few lessons that stand out—lessons I intend to carry forward with me into all areas of life.

1. Adversity Builds Strength, But Healing Is Essential
   The tough moments in life teach us to appreciate the good ones. They remind us of our strength and resilience.
   In the past, I’ve always felt the need to power through difficulties, to stay strong, to believe that positivity alone would see me through. This year, however, has taught me the importance of allowing myself to heal. It’s not enough to just keep going. We need to give ourselves time and space to process, to feel, and to recover. Honouring our emotions is part of the journey.

2. You Won’t Be Everyone’s Cup of Tea—And That’s Okay
   I’ve always strived to make a positive impact on the people around me, but this year taught me a hard truth: not everyone will see or appreciate you the way you hope they will. What matters most is staying true to yourself. Often confidence and self-acceptance come with age and experience, but they’re worth striving for at any stage of life.

3. Help Is Always There—If You’re Willing to Accept It
   Support is everywhere: from family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers. But you have to be open to it. Vulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s an opportunity for growth. Asking for and accepting help when you need it is one of the greatest acts of strength.

4. You Are the Creator of Your Life
   We have more power than we often realise. When we trust our inner knowing and act in alignment with our true selves, life unfolds in remarkable ways. It may not always happen as we expect, but the universe has a way of guiding us toward fulfilment when we honour our instincts. Trust the process. Believe in your connection to something greater.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As I close the chapter on 2024, I hold on to one resounding truth: everything will be okay. Life is full of unexpected challenges, but those challenges shape us. They make us stronger, more compassionate, and more capable than we ever imagined.

As we step into 2025, I encourage you to ask yourself one powerful question:

Who do I want to be?

When we focus on who we want to be—rather than what we want to achieve or acquire—it shifts everything. It allows us to make choices that align with our true values. While many of our actions are automatic, reflecting on this question gives us the freedom to change, to grow, and to create new outcomes.

This journey takes patience and self-love. It requires humility to recognise when we’re not showing up as the person we want to be. But in doing so, we grant ourselves the greatest gift: the power to choose.

We are the only ones who wake up each morning and decide whether we’re happy with who we are. No one else can do that for us.

So, what choices will you make this year?
Who do you want to be—and are you brave enough to be that person?

I believe you are, and I can’t wait to see what 2025 holds for you as you step into your true essence.

Wishing you a year of peace, love, and happiness.

With gratitude,
Natalie