What I’m Carrying Forward Into 2025: Lessons, Mindsets, and Small Wins

As Thanksgiving approaches, I’ve been reflecting on this year, and seeing how 2025 has not gone the way I thought it would. Instead, it offered lessons, clarity, and growth in ways I honestly didn’t anticipate, and for that, I’m thankful.

This is my gratitude letter to this year (and myself) thus far, acknowledging what I’ve learned, who I’ve become, and what I’m intentionally bringing to finish 2025 strong.

1. The Lesson, Listening When Something Feels Misaligned

One of the biggest chapters of this year unfolded right at the start. I stepped into a new pharmacy job believing it would be a great opportunity, a meaningful step forward in my career, a chance to broaden my impact, and a role that, on paper, looked like the definition of success. But sometimes something can look right at the beginning, and even be the “right” choice in that moment, yet still turn out not to be the right fit.

And it didn’t take that long for me to realize that truth.

The values didn’t align, the expectations felt off, and the environment didn’t energize me; in fact, it drained me. What sounded great, now became regret. It was a kind of experience I hadn’t had before, and in a different point of my life, I probably would’ve pushed through, rationalized away, or stayed out of fear. But something changed in me and was different this time; maybe age, maybe perspective, maybe wisdom, but instead of forcing through, I listened to that internal discomfort. I listened to myself. And made the decision to quit that job and step away.

It wasn’t easy, as I wavered for several weeks when I’d submit my resignation, but it was necessary. And I’m grateful for the awareness that helped me recognize the misalignment, and the courage it took to choose myself, even when that meant quitting without a clear plan for what came next.

2. The Grace, Taking a Month Off Without Fear

After leaving that position, I allowed myself to pause, to breathe, and to reset. For an entire month, I gave myself that time to not rush into the next thing, scramble, or panic.

And part of the reason why I was able to do that was because of the diverse work I’ve built over the years; side projects, consulting work, and closing real estate deals that came together to provide the cushion I needed to take that break.

I’m grateful for that flexibility. I’m grateful for the stability that comes from being multi-passionate. And I’m grateful that I didn’t have to make decisions out of survival or stress, but out of intention.

3. The Renewal, Returning to Work With a Better Fit

Now, I'm already back in a new pharmacy role for the last couple of weeks that feels different, more aligned, grounded, and better suited to who I am and how/what I want to work. It wasn’t the straight path I imagined at the start of the year, but the detour definitely taught me a whole lot more than what a “perfect” path probably ever could.

That experience showed me that career growth isn’t always climbing in a straight line, it’s about being honest enough to step off the wrong ladder, and finding the next ladder to continue on.

4. The Mindset, You Don’t Need Everything Figured Out

This year really challenged the idea that I need to have everything perfectly planned out. If anything, it showed me that clarity usually arrives after you take a step, not before it. The job change, the pause, the new opportunity, none of it followed a clean, predictable path.

But each move led me somewhere meaningful, and I only discovered that by being willing to take the first step. I’m learning to choose curiosity over pressure, and exploration over rigidity.

Finishing 2025 With Purpose

I don’t know exactly what the rest of 2025 will look like, but I’m grateful for the foundation this year has built, the lessons it brought, the clarity it offered, and the sense of renewal it has created for me.

Not everything unfolded the way I expected, but maybe that was intentional and what I needed to undergo. Every twist and detour brought me to where I’m meant to be right now. Let’s hope for the best and finish the year strong!

(If you made it this far, happy Thanksgiving. I’m truly thankful that you took the time to read this through)