2024 was a tough year. For many of us, it felt like being trapped in the eye of a relentless storm, a deceptive calm surrounded by howling winds and churning chaos. The challenges came in personal and professional waves, often leaving little room to breathe. When you’re in the middle of it, survival becomes the focus. You narrow your view to what’s directly in front of you, This tunnel vision is sometimes necessary, a protective instinct that helps us cope with immediate challenges. But it means we risk missing the broader landscape of our experience.
As this year winds down, with 2025 in view, it’s time to consider whether it’s the right time to step back and see what’s in front of us. When you’re in the eye of the storm, you can’t see the storm’s full size or path, you may sense its power and edges, but understanding scope requires a shift in perspective. Sometimes, that means rising above the chaos to look at everything differently. It’s not easy—but it’s often the only way to find clarity.
Reassessing isn’t an exercise in self-critique of decisions made during the eye of the storm. It’s about asking, “Where am I now? What have I learned? What do I need to let go of, and what do I want to carry forward?” These are not simple questions; the answers might take time to reveal themselves. The important thing is to start asking them.
2025 is an invitation, a chance to move from survival to intentionality. It’s an opportunity to look at whatever your storm is from above and to understand its impact, not just on your external circumstances but also on who you are. Storms leave marks, but they also reveal resilience. They clear paths and make space for new growth. If you’ve been feeling battered by the year, take heart. The act of stepping back, of seeing the storm for what it truly was, that in itself can be healing.
As you reflect on 2024, give yourself grace. It’s okay if some parts feel messy or unresolved. Those moments are part of the story, too. What matters is how you move forward. Allow yourself to dream a little and imagine what the next chapter might look like. And if you’re not sure yet, that’s okay, too. Sometimes, just lifting your gaze is enough to start.
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.” – Vivian Greene
In the remaining weeks of 2024, consider taking these moments to reflect on what you’ve been through, share your thoughts here, drop me a private note, or take one small step toward planning for 2025. Look down from above to see the storm for what it was and look ahead to the opportunities waiting in 2025. There is strength in what you’ve weathered, and there is hope and joy in what’s to come.
Have a great weekend.
-Vijay