immerse 2024
When I chose IMMERSE for my word this year, I knew it was a year of big things, big emotions, big plans and big chances. I knew coming in, that even when it felt hard, that choosing to IMMERSE myself in the hard moments would be worth it. That there would be a multitude of good times and good memories to soak up and IMMERSE myself in them, to hold to in the hard times. And my goodness, has 2024 delivered both in spades.
The last six months especially, have been a rollercoaster of the highs and the lows. A last big family holiday before Eldest moves to the city. A visit from overseas family. A massive scout camp. Graduation. A racing trip to Sydney, three times over. A weekend at the beach with extended family. A last day with school friends as a group of six. A first farewell. A first hello. A yuletide visit from the spicy cough. I’m rolling into midnight tonight exhausted, heartbroken, thankful, hopeful.
Thank you, 2024, for the joy of seeing our first baby reach adulthood, achieve his goal of high marks and an offer of his dream degree at his dream uni, and another wonderful year of homeschooling the younger three; for the gift of dear friends, and irreplaceable moments; for travel and memories and making and loving. It’s been unforgettable.
2024 by the numbers
FAVOURITE PROJECT BY MONTH
January – starting a new cross stitch
February – a naming day birthday cake
March – creative note taking
April – thoughts on new hobbies
May – a new kindle cover for a new kindle
June – 100 Days complete
July – holiday socks
August – Jazzisaurus
September – the uni quilt
October – sketchbook revival
November – macrame hat holders
December – Advent post office
TOP THREE BLOG POSTS BY VISITS
#1 – surprising no-one, my reusable shopping bag pattern and tutorial remain one of my most popular posts, with over 25,000 (!!) pins on Pinterest!
#2 – taking off this year has been my kids baby wearing carrier DIY, coming in as my second most popular post
#3 – dropping down a place this year, my knitted Christmas tree tutorial takes out third place, not bad for a project that only gets interest two months of the year!
TOP THREE PODCAST EPISODES BY LISTENS
#1 – no surprise that Make It Merry, the one new episode we dropped this year has been our most popular!
#2 – Social Media and Vulnerability from season four took out second place
#3 – also from season four – Podcasting, Growth & Community was our third most popular episode
TOP THREE YOUTUBE VIDEOS BY VIEWS
#1 – an oldie but always popular, a video from 2014 with my extended treble stitch that I accidentally did an entire ripple in but that gave it a cool texture
#2 – my sketchbook revival flip through was my second most popular video this year
#3 – surprising me for number three was my July vlog; normally my monthly whip around videos are my least popular!
TOP THREE SUBSTACKS BY VIEWS
#1 – On Becoming A Finisher
#2 – The Knowledge Gap
#3 – Imposter Syndrome
INSTAGRAM TOP NINE
What a year! 2024, you certainly were one for the books. Farewell, and here’s to a brighter 2025!
A weekly podcast on creativity, connection, community and collaboration
It’s nice to recap the year, isn’t it? Honestly, it took me several blog posts to reflect on everything! So interesting that you podcast, vlog, and Youtube too! I follow only your blog. I guess I’m a hold-out from 2008-2010 when blogging was “the thing” to do. Fewer and fewer people blog anymore. In a few weeks, I’ll have been blogging for 16 years though! Amazing to think about. Anyway, I can appreciate how emotional it is to send one’s first child off to college. Time passes so quickly, but I can still vividly remember how that felt. You WILL miss him, but will be amazed at how clean he keeps his room now! Have a wonderful 2025 and be immersed in nothing but good things.
I like to pick away and explore various mediums, but blogging will always have my heart as my favourite place to share! Congrats on 16yrs, I’ve been going just a wee bit longer than you, I ticked over 16 back in June.
Happy New Year to you and yours xx