I always end the year by writing about my accomplishments, failures, regrets, and resolutions. I love this time of year because the calendar naturally motivates me to reflect and act. This post is all about 2024 accomplishments.
I’ve been writing these posts for twenty years. As always, in true Ruettimann fashion, I crushed it.
Why did I crush it?
Not because I checked off a laundry list of achievements. I didn’t publish my next book or win an award for being some corporate guru. Honestly, I didn’t even go to the beach very much. Beyond volunteering for charities and helping with the Harris-Walz campaign, I did less than ever. Mostly, I parked myself at home, went on long runs through the woods, took crafting classes, and was home almost every night this year for dinner with my husband and cats. Often, I was in bed before 9:30 PM.
Sometimes it was glorious, and sometimes I was like—wow, this is pretty boring. I can see why some 1960s American homemakers living in suburbia took sleeping pills and amphetamines.
But I had a great 2024 because I am Laurie Ruettimann and can do what I want on demand and without apology. This year, I chose to stay home, be present with myself and my little family, and experience the beautiful ordinariness of life. I didn’t create anything, appear on major media outlets to share ideas, learn anything to sharpen my craft, or spend time building a legacy meant to change the lives of others.
I just existed. Lived an authentically dull and dorky life. Watched shows, read books, cleaned out my closet seasonally, hung out with local girlfriends, and ran errands. And it (mostly) felt like I won the lottery.
Not bad for an annual accomplishment!