A Year in Review: Celebrating Growth, Joy, and Lessons Learned
Every January, I take time for reflection and realignment. It’s a moment to connect my present with my past and future. One of my traditions is to pay tribute to the special moments of each month by selecting one significant life event that has contributed to my growth—whether on a professional or personal level. This practice serves as a reminder of what keeps me alive.
The Power of Memories
Normally, I scroll through my photos on my phone, choosing one from each month. I then create a collage and keep it close for several days, allowing myself to revisit these memories. I want to give space for these moments to breathe, much like letting a bottle of red wine aerate to enhance its aroma and flavour.
My Special Moments in 2024
Here are my special moments—experiences of joy and pain, progress and success, as well as moments of slowing down. These include feelings from the blessings of motherhood to my work in making workplaces more human and inclusive.
January: I kicked off the year by coaching an amazing team of managers at Playtech. This team has been an amazing example of what is an empathetic leader!
February: Together with my fellow board members at the European Association for People Management -The EAPM, we hold our first annual meeting to set our strategic priorities for the years ahead; hosted by FHRD in Malta. I strongly believe in the power of community and this is one of the reasons that I keep doing what I do with the EAPM.
March: Rolled out the first Management Town Hall at Andreotti Furniture, a company with a long family heritage. They made a bold decision to transition from a family leadership to non-family CEO, for achieving a company transformation.
April: Spent our last month with our adorable cat, Pablo. For over 8 years, he brought us countless funny moments and taught me how to find ease in life’s chaos.
May: My little one underwent her first surgery. As a first-time mom, this was an incredibly stressful experience, but we supported each other through it (she actually gave me more psychological support than I gave her).
June: A memorable experience at the Coldplay concert in Athens. Coldplay knows how to create an unforgettable experience that stays with you forever.
July: The month of my birthday. Another year of an amazing life and most importantly a conscious life; one that is happening for me and not to me.
August: For the first time, I experienced what it’s like to have a full workcation month. Next August will follow this pattern: workcation > vacation > workcation > work.
September: We kicked off a large team coaching project with Cyta as part of a transformation journey. I love working on transforming the business and the people.
October: A milestone event that made a significant contribution to the HR community. We hosted the Annual Delegate Assembly of the EAPM in Cyprus, welcomed over 40 representatives of national HR Associations from around Europe and moderate a panel with international speakers about the Future of Work & Wellbeing.
November: I returned to the CIPD Annual Conference in Manchester after many years. I truly missed that experience!
December: A fully family-dedicated Christmas holiday filled with love and laughter. Photo from Little Venice in Colmar, France, where we enjoyed our hot chocolate.
Embracing Each Moment
Each moment takes us to the next stage of our lives, and each moment is a gift - even the challenging ones. Often, we are better able to acknowledge these gifts when we look back over time.
Life runs fast, and we can become too focused on what’s next. Reflecting on these moments helps me appreciate the journey I've taken throughout the year. Each experience has shaped who I am today, both personally and professionally.
Looking Ahead: Creating My Future Collage
Once I finish my ritual from last year, I start looking ahead. I create a collage of the moments I want to create for the year ahead—what I want less of, what I want more of, and what new experiences I wish to embrace. I imagine the photos that will be part of my collage at year-end: where they’ll be taken, who will be in them, and what emotions they will evoke.
One thing yoga has taught me is the importance of visualization and how it can impact not just your present but also your future by helping you shift your life in the direction you desire. This is something I've learned and practiced consistently, experiencing its benefits firsthand.
It’s now scientifically recognized that when we visualize an action and when we actually perform that same action, we stimulate the same brain regions. Our brain doesn’t distinguish between reality and imagined experiences; the outer world reflects our neural pathways. Many athletes use visualization alongside physical training to optimize their performance. Artists and performers employ it to activate their imagination and creativity.
As we move forward into another year, I look forward to embracing new challenges and creating more meaningful memories.
Your Year Ahead: What Will Your Collage Look Like?
What collage of moments would you like to create for the year ahead? What kind of photos do you envision for your 2025 collage?
Do you crave more moments of joy, transformation, love, or growth? Who do you want in these photos? Where would you like them taken?
Start creating this vision for you now!
We all deserve to live a conscious life!