How I Grew and Embraced Life in 2024
Reflecting on my wins, challenges, and the lessons that shaped me
Dear Duniyawaalo (People of the World),
For me, 2024 was like one of those Bollywood masala movies full of drama, wins, and unexpected twists.
I ran not one but two marathons. Apparently, one mid-life crisis was not enough.
I bravely attempted live storytelling in Chicago for the first time. It required me to share my personal stories and somehow, miraculously, managed not to bomb. This was a MAJOR win!
I also stuck to my daily mindfulness practice, which basically means I spent a lot of time sitting quietly, trying not to think about food and drinks.
I love taking pictures. I fired up my notepad, reviewed all my photos for each month, and took notes. It was like traveling back in time but without my awkward fashion choices.
Reliving and reflecting on the moments from 2024 filled me with immense gratitude and served as a reminder of how far I have come.
Here I am, sharing my lessons from 2024 with anyone who would be kind enough to click and read.
I hope that my experience will resonate, inspire, or, if nothing else, make you smile.
Let’s dive in!
Mindfulness Enhances Everything
Five years ago, I started practicing mindfulness, hoping it could help me wrestle my depression into submission.
I started small. Just three minutes of breathing exercises daily using the Headspace app. Honestly, I felt more like I was trying to cool down a hot cup of chai than channeling any inner zen. But I committed to stay with it.
Eventually, I graduated to write daily in my gratitude journal about one thing I am grateful for. Some days, they were profound, like “having a roof over my head.” Other days, it was just, “Thankful for finding matching socks.”
Once I got a hang of those, I started logging my dreams. I mean, who wouldn’t want to better understand why they are always reliving that awkward dream of giving a presentation without any pants on?
Fast forward to 2024, and I have racked up some impressive unbroken streaks:
Meditation — 1792 days
Gratitude Journaling — 1709 days
Dream Logging — 953 days (someday I will be brave enough to share)
Mindfulness has changed my life. It has made me calmer and centered and helped me find joy in little things — like the first sip of coffee or a parking spot right by the entrance.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to show up every day. That’s where the magic happens.
Focus On Consistency Over Intensity
When I first started to tackle my depression, I was 6'5" and tipping the scales at 311 pounds. I was a heavyweight, literally! Fighting my inner demons.
My running journey started modestly with 50 steps of running followed by 200 steps of walking (Yes. I counted the steps in my mind).
I am sure there were days when my neighbors must have thought I was in a one-man relay race — with myself.
What started as half a mile in my block 6 years ago transformed into a full-blown marathon in 5 years. Talk about leveling up!
In every race, my goal was simple: cross the finish line injury-free and try not to pass out before the finish photo.
It does not matter what you are trying to achieve — a marathon finish, a new skill, or even a peaceful mind. Start small and commit to showing up for yourself every day. And before you know it, you are running your kind of marathon.
Consistency is like planting seeds. Over time, it grows into a forest of confidence and transforms your mindset.
There Is No Growth In Comfort
Even though I am an extrovert who can chat with a stranger in an elevator, I always hesitate to share my life and knowledge with the world. My stories were reserved for family and friends, my comfort zone — aka my personal VIP audience who mastered the art of giving me encouraging smiles.
For 2024, I decided to get out of my comfort zone and registered for The Moth StorySLAM.
For the uninitiated, Moth is a themed storytelling competition where 10 storytellers get to share their 5-minute real-life stories — if their names are drawn. Judges from the crowd rate the stories, and the highest scorer wins. No pressure, right?
When I stepped onto the stage at Lincoln Hall in Chicago for the first time, I was nervous AF. My heart was racing, and I could not decide whether I was more afraid of forgetting my story or hearing a dead silence after my best joke.
But guess what? I was wrong. People loved my story. Some even came up afterward to thank me for sharing it. As it turns out, my idiosyncrasies and misadventures resonated with people more than I thought they would.
I went on to win two Moth StorySLAMs out of my four attempts. I even received three paid gigs to share my story on stage. Not bad for someone who once thought public storytelling was a form of medieval torture.
All the best things in life live on the other side of fear.
Giving Back Creates Fulfillment
My mindfulness practices have brought me immense clarity, calm, and joy.
I have long wanted to share these benefits with others —especially beginners who might feel as lost as I once did.
But if I am being honest, self-doubt and impostor syndrome kept whispering, “Who do you think you are?”
Winning Moth StorySLAM gave me a lot of confidence. It made me realize that my words and the way I weave them into my storytelling have the power to build connections with people I have never met before.
It made me realize that storytelling is not just for entertainment. It is a bridge to shared experiences and deeper understanding.
With this newfound confidence, I took a leap of faith and hosted my first mindfulness and gratitude journaling workshop.
I will admit that it felt both daunting and exciting, but I am so glad I finally did it. It brought me so much fulfillment and joy.
I am so glad I finally pushed past the fear and doubt, and I am committed to hosting more workshops in 2025.
We will always do for others what we won’t do for ourselves. That’s where true fulfillment lies.
Invest Time In What Matters Most
My health and my family always come first. There is no better joy than spending time with the people who matter most.
At the start of 2024, my elder son and I took a trip to Dubai. Spending dedicated time with him away from home helped me understand him on a deeper level than I ever could during our usual family trips.
It was like peeling back the layers of onion but without the tears — just moments of laughter, shared stories, and those rare, unguarded conversations that made me realize how much my kid has grown.
In 2024, my younger son turned 18 and got admitted to Loyola in Chicago. Moving him into his dorm was a family affair, and let’s just say it involved a lot of tissues, especially for my wife.
As we officially became empty nesters, I could see the mix of pride and “what am I supposed to do with all this extra time now?“ in her eyes.
Our entire family also ran two races in 2024. I was also grateful to run with my extended family a 10K race in my hometown of Mumbai for the first time.
Focus on what truly matters — your health and loved ones. They are your greatest source of joy and fulfillment.
Embrace Curiosity and Creativity
2024 was a year of new experiences, all in the name of feeding my curiosity.
It all started with attending the SKY Breath Meditation course through the Art of Living Foundation. I wanted to explore advanced meditation techniques and see what all the hype was about.
Spoiler alert: It was amazing!
I have been hooked ever since, and I now practice SKY Breath meditation with a local group on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 5:30 AM.
Yes, you read that right — 5:30 AM.
Next, I finally attended the Renaissance Faire in Wisconsin. For the past two years, I watched my Fast Track Racing Team buddies dress up in elaborate costumes while I quietly hid in my “plain-clothes” comfort zone.
But not in 2024. I dressed, got into the spirit, and had an absolute blast.
I am planning 2025's outfit. Any suggestions, anyone?
The grand finale was my running team’s end-of-year Pajama Party. I admit that the idea of attending a party in PJs made me feel more awkward than excited.
Who pairs bedtime wear with a DJ and drinks? Turns out, everyone does!
Seeing the whole team in their PJs was hilarious and oddly comforting. Safe to say, I will be rocking my flannel in 2025, too.
Curiosity and creativity spark ideas that lead to growth and change.
Failure is a Teacher
After taking the uncomfortable action of getting into Storytelling and sharing my story with the world, I decided it was time to expand my horizon. Enter: The Medium Platform!
My first post in the “About Me” publication did pretty well — it got decent views, which gave me the confidence to keep going.
Feeling encouraged, I began sharing my 2024 Chicago Marathon weekly training updates and celebrating my storytelling wins.
And then… crickets. There were hardly any views and no engagement. That’s when the old voice-in-my-head self-doubt started to creep in. I was so discouraged I stopped writing altogether for a while.
Failure has a funny way of being a tough yet effective teacher. I stepped back and studied successful posts.
That’s when it hit me like a runner’s high.
Posting content is not just about sharing — it’s about “adding value”
For 2025, I am challenging myself to use my knowledge and wisdom to add value to the readers. It’s not about me. It’s about my readers and how I can add value to their lives.
Failure is not the end — it’s a signal for change, a chance to recalibrate and grow.
Feeling of Belonging
There is no denying that we as humans are wired for connection. A biological need that shapes how we think, feel, and behave.
Whether through family bonds, friendships, or shared experiences, we constantly seek relationships that make us feel seen, heard, and valued.
Beyond my amazing family and friends, I am deeply grateful to be part of two amazing running groups: The HIP Athletic Association and The Fast Track Racing Team.
And to be honest, I would not have achieved my 2024 running goals without their support, encouragement, and occasional tough love.
In 2024, I also found a home in Chicago’s storytelling community. After winning two Moth StorySLAMs, I was invited to perform at the Fillet of Solo festival to share my immigration stories.
I am eternally grateful for being accepted for who I am, including all my shenanigans.
True happiness lies in the meaningful connections we create and the sense of belonging we find with others.
Self-Reflection Drives Growth
Time flies.
Sometimes, so fast that it feels like we are just along for the ride. That is why pausing and reflecting on our thoughts, actions, and experiences is very important.
Self-reflection offers visibility into who we are and who we want to become.
2024 was the first time I considered looking back and assessing how the year went and what I accomplished.
Reflecting on all the wonderful moments of 2024 filled me with gratitude for how far I have come. It also saw through my mistakes and how they helped me grow, inspiring me to keep going.
To take it further, I created a vision board to map 2025 and what I want it to look like. But that’s a story for another post — stay tuned!
Reflection turns experience into wisdom.
How Was Your 2024? Share Your Journey!
As you start 2025, I encourage you to reflect on what you have learned, experienced, and overcome in 2024.
What were your biggest wins? What are your most demanding challenges? The lessons that caught you by surprise?
Reflection helps us grow, and sharing your story could inspire someone else on their journey.
I would love to hear from you!
Please share your highlights, lessons, or reflections in the comments or with a friend over coffee.
Let us all celebrate growth and embrace the lessons of 2024.
So, tell me — what will you carry forward into 2025?
❤️Rajneesh