2025 Recap
2025 was filled with so many good moments. Watching my children blossom in their own unique ways was incredible. We spent weekends traveling for my younger daughter’s club volleyball season, made several trips to help my older daughter settle into college life, and even took an unforgettable family adventure to Alaska with my brother and his family. This year, I also deepened my commitment to hands-on cat rescue, dedicating time to Trap-Neuter-Release efforts for community cats—including participating in a major TNR event at the University of Florida’s Operation Catnip in July. We squeezed in beach days, visited a Capybara Café, enjoyed concerts, and then eased into the final stretch of the year as I had my surgery and focused on recovery. Professionally, my friend and I taught several Canva classes online and in person. While my recovery has put a pause on this aspect for a bit, I know we will be back at it sooner than later.
In 2025, my mantra was pacing myself. Since I knew surgery was ahead, I went into the year with the intention of slowing down. If you’ve ever run a race, you know what it’s like to “go out too fast”—that burst of early energy that drains you long before the finish line. It’s a perfect metaphor for life: push too hard for too long and eventually you crash. This year, I learned to protect my energy, say “no” when I needed to, and fully honor my recovery instead of rushing back into “normal life.” It’s been a refreshing change of pace—one I hope to carry with me into 2026.
Looking back, the year was still a whirlwind, but it was one where I prioritized the things that mattered most to me. It’s hard to believe 2026 is almost here! As we close out the year, I’ll continue looking for ways to slow down—and I encourage you to take a moment and ask yourself: Where in my life do I need to pace myself?