New year, new me? …probably not. 😅 In some ways, sure, I guess. But for the most part, no. I like who I am and who I am becoming. Why would I want to change that?

Something I often say is that “each new year excites me, as I have no idea what to expect, not even from myself.” Last January (2023), I did not anticipate going to Yosemite National Park, going zip lining, going to five football games (two college, three NFL), getting a concussion, or meeting someone I actually genuinely liked (romantically, lol). Yet, all of those things happened! How cool! (Except for the concussion…that was not cool, and I will complain about it forever, fair warning).

Going into 2024, there are some things that I expect to happen…and to be honest, those things really terrify me. Because they are really big and really important for my career. But, I believe that life is so much more than the job and work that you do. So instead I’m trying to stay focused on the unknown and the things that excite me, rather than allowing anxiety to win and stress me out. (Not today, anxiety! Not today!).

Back in 2022…which I look back on as one of the best years of my life (shoutout to the most amazing friends I made while working at the National Cancer Institute…y’all are a big reason for this ❤️), instead of thinking of “New Year’s Resolutions”, I did “2022-2023 Manifestations.” I did not do that for 2023, and…2023 kind of sucked (even with all of those unexpected really cool things mentioned before). I often told my therapist how I felt like I was just floating through life watching things happen around me, rather than being an active participant in my own life. So I want to manifest a good year ahead for me and become an active participant in my own life again.

Now, I know a lot of people make fun of astrology and witchy-type things…but…all I’m saying is…every single one of those manifestations I wrote down in 2022 did actually end up happening. So…there is something to it. Plus, I always say that I aspire to be the type of woman that would have been burned at the stake because they believed me to be a witch! So, this just goes along with that…

So…here are some of my 2024 manifestations…feel free to take this idea and do it for yourself! In fact, I highly encourage it 😉 I want all my readers to live their best and most fulfilled lives. Y’all deserve it. (Also…please do not judge me…some of these are kind of personal and show my insecurities hahaaa…but, in the words of Big Sean, “bitch imma do me”)…

• I WILL pass my qualifying exam, become a PhD candidate, and a Master of Science! And I will become more confident in myself (as a person and an independent scientist) in the process!
• I WILL hike my first ever Adirondack High Peak (and maybe a few more too 👀)
• I will continue to open myself up to love and remind myself that I am deserving and worthy of so much love and that I AM enough
• I will continue to nourish friendships that make me feel loved, refreshed, cared for, and appreciated
• I will absolutely slay my upcoming races (and that can mean enjoying the training process and being proud of myself for my accomplishments…or a new PR…we shall see)
• I will continue to try new things even when they scare me (…maybe especially when they scare me 😈)
• I will be organized and plan things out (and stick to those plans!! But also be flexible and give myself grace if things don’t go as expected)
• I will love myself more and harder than ever before!!! I will spend more meaningful time with myself, be more selfish (while still being considerate of others), and treat myself the way I treat others
• I will make more time for reading, art, and spending time in nature
• I will go to at least one new country!! (maybe more?? 😗)
• I will read more scientific papers and continue to nourish my excitement for research and my thesis project!
• I will go to at least one scientific conference and have a blast sharing my work!
• I will go through my things and donate whatever I do not use often 
• I will make an effort to go visit my friends where they are now, just as they have done for me!
• I will continue to add to my blog!!! It’s one of my favorite things I’ve ever done for me!!!

Ok…I think that’s a pretty dang good list (and kind of a long one too…but I am both hopeful and determined to make them all happen!!!).

Life is weird and life is hard. But finding people who will love and support you through it all makes it so much easier!! I am so grateful for all my long distance friends who either randomly call me up, or schedule a phone call weeks in advance to check in and see how the other is doing ❤️ 

This year will be a big one in my PhD journey, and I am so excited to take you along the ride with me!!! Please feel free to suggest blog post ideas regarding the PhD process (rotations, choosing a lab, selecting a thesis committee, work-life balance, etc.), life, random thoughts, whatever!!! I’ve also already got two trips planned for myself this year…and I’m sure more on the way…so stay tuned for those 🙂

-K out!!!