Your Extra Dose to Happiness

#8 2024 Top Something, Sharing is Caring

Hello Sunshine,

I wasn’t ready for the last newsletter of 2024. So before we close the chapter on this incredible year, I couldn’t resist sharing a roundup of my absolute favourites from 2024—because sharing is caring, and honestly, I love sharing.

Top Shares of 2024

  • Top habits and routines I embraced

  • Favourite books I devoured

  • Business influences that shaped my year

  • Must-have tools for entrepreneurs

  • Travel destinations that stole my heart

As the year wraps up, I took some time to reflect on how fast 2024 flew by—it feels like it was gone in a blink! But looking back, I’m so proud of the growth, the wins, and even the lessons that shaped me along the way.

Reflecting has been such a powerful reminder to appreciate the year gone by and step into 2025 with excitement and purpose.

I hope these shares inspire you, make you smile, or even spark something new for the year ahead. After all, if one of my favourites can support you on your journey, that’s what it’s all about.

Let’s shine bright into the new year!

Top Habits/Routines Implemented in 2024

  1. Learning

    In 2023, I often felt depleted, stuck, and lacking direction. This year, I decided to challenge myself by diving into several courses, and wow—what a difference it’s made! I’ve felt more motivated, inspired, and purposeful. Here are a few of my favourites:

  2. Journaling & Meditation

    Earlier this year, my bestie gifted me the 6-Minute Diary, and it’s become such a lovely part of my routine. Taking a little time most days to pause, reflect, and journal has felt like a gift to myself.
    For meditation, I signed up for To Be Magnetic, and it’s been a game-changer. The guided meditations are thoughtful, versatile, and tailored to whatever I need in the moment.

  3. Working Out

    Adding strength training to my routine has been transformative—not just for my physical strength but for my mental resilience, too. I’ve learnt to push past my own limits while still respecting my body. Investing in a personal trainer kept me accountable and ensured my progress stayed on track. I’ve also loved my long-term favourite, practising yoga with Yoga with Kassandra!

  4. Reading

    Books have been my place this year, a way to learn and disconnect. I’ve balanced non-fiction and fiction, and it’s kept my creativity alive while offering fresh perspectives. It’s such a beautiful way to dive into new ideas or simply unwind.

  5. Nutrition

    Nutrition is still a work in progress for me, but I’ve made strides. This year, I’ve been more mindful of my sugar (though I’ll never skip my daily square of dark chocolate!) and alcohol intake, focused on home-cooked meals, and even tested meal prep services. A big highlight? Trying Primeadine® after a few months, I saw a noticeable difference in my hair, which had been struggling post-COVID.

What new habits or routines have made a difference in your year?

Top Books Read in 2024

These books were the highlights of my year—absolute must-reads, in my opinion. Each one made me feel something deeply, whether it was crying, reflecting, laughing, or imagining entirely new realities. If you’re looking for your next read, I wholeheartedly recommend any of these.

  1. Big Five For Life, John Strelecky

  2. Playing Big, Tara Mohr

  3. Nine Lies About Work, Marcus Buckingham & Ashley Goodall

  4. Think Again, Adam Grant

  5. Open: An Autobiography, Andre Agassi

  6. Por Si Las Voces Vuelven, Ángel Martín

Which book has left an impact on you this year? I’d love to hear your favourites!

Top Business Influences of 2024

This year, I’ve been incredibly inspired by some truly amazing people who have each left a unique mark on my journey. From breakthrough moments to ongoing support and inspiration, their impact has been transformative. I can’t encourage you enough to reach out to the people who inspire you—start a conversation! You never know where it might lead or what opportunities could unfold. Here’s a little about my top business influences of the year:

  1. Samantha Jade 

    Samantha is my bestie and a powerhouse of motivation and drive. She’s an incredible accountability partner and constantly inspires me to dream bigger and keep going. Sam supports SaaS start-up leaders to build & scale their remote teams and has a super useful weekly newsletter. Everyone needs a Samantha in their life!

  2. Chris Cerra 

    Another close friend alert! Chris is the mastermind behind Remote Base, a curated newsletter for nomad accommodation deals. He’s also a sought-after speaker at nomad festivals. Watching his dedication and success unfold has been amazing, and it’s been inspiring to see his hard work pay off! Plus, Chris is always so generous with his advice, insights, and feedback—it’s invaluable.

  3. Stefanie Sword-Williams

    Stef’s mantra is all about f-being humble, and I am here for it! I stumbled across her on Instagram and was instantly hooked. She’s the ultimate hype girl with empowering advice and content that keeps me motivated to show up authentically in business and life.

  4. Ali Daniel

    The founder of PunchDrunkSoul, Ali and her team have been instrumental in my business growth this year. Her honesty and dedication to staying aligned with her purpose are incredibly inspiring. I feel so lucky to have been part of her community.

  5. Natasha Black

    I connected with Natasha thanks to a bit of serendipity (or the universe doing its thing!). Her kindness, knowledge, and willingness to share are unmatched. Natasha has such a wonderful energy and inspires her community (which I’m so happy to be a part of!) in beautiful ways.

  6. Jess Bruno

    Networking has never been so fun or authentic as with Jess and her approach to Ne’Twerking. Her unique way of connecting people is inspiring, and her energy is simply contagious. I love what she’s doing!

  7. Patricia Manley

    Patricia is a career coach supporting immigrant Latinas, and I had the pleasure of speaking with her earlier this year; it was pivotal to my journey. Her passion and genuine approach to her work are inspiring, and I admire everything she’s building.

  8. Verena’s Kitchen
    Another awesome friend alert! Verena is the ultimate queen of side hustles, scaling her delicious business from her kitchen to outsourced production, all while staying in full-time employment. Verena’s work ethic is something to aspire to!

Who’s been your biggest influence in 2024? Let’s give them some love!

Top Tools for Entrepreneurs 2024

These tools have made a huge difference in my business and creative journey this year. Whether saving time, connecting with others, or polishing my work, they’ve all earned a permanent spot in my toolkit.

  1. Carrd
    Creating my website was a bit of a journey—I tried about four different platforms, and while they looked great, the upgrade costs were not ideal. Then I found Carrd: $19 a year with no ads. It’s simple, effective, and so worth it!

  2. LinkedIn

    LinkedIn has been a game-changer for me this year. I’ve connected with people who align with my path and even set up calls with many of them. I was blown away by how many were happy to jump on a call and share advice or support my journey.

  3. Tactiq
    I haven’t tapped into its full potential yet, but Tactiq is already a lifesaver. It records meetings and generates summaries in seconds—perfect for staying organised and on top of things.

  4. Grammarly

    This one’s a no-brainer. Grammarly ensures I avoid silly mistakes and always put my best foot forward. Clear and polished communication is so important!

  5. ChatGPT
    From brainstorming ideas and improving content to translations and gentle reminders, ChatGPT has been such a supportive tool for keeping my creativity flowing and my work on track.

What tools have you loved using this year? Let’s share the wisdom!

Top Travel Destinations of 2024

If you know me, you know I love to travel—and 2024 was full of adventures that brought me so much joy. Narrowing it down to just five was tough, but here are my top destinations of the year!

If you’re planning a trip to any of these spots, let me know. I’ve got Google Sheets and Google Maps hearts filled with recommendations that I’d love to share!

  1. Japan
    A bucket-list destination checked off! Its blend of tradition and modernity completely stole my heart. The organisation and cleanliness are unmatched, and the food? Absolutely spectacular.

  2. Grenada
    The "Spice Isle," my paternal hometown, is a tropical paradise with stunning beaches, friendly locals, and mouthwatering food. A true gem of the Caribbean!

  3. Mexico
    Vibrant culture and incredible food. Mexico is always a favourite, and 2024 gave me even more reasons to love it.

  4. Vietnam
    This beautiful country left me in awe; its chaos is enchanting. For me, connecting with the children and staff at Hearing and Beyond and sharing the trip with my mum made it even more special!

  5. Madrid
    A city that’s been home for the past two years. Its energy, culture, amazing blue skies, and incredible food scene make it a place to be.

Where have you been this year that’s made your heart smile? Let’s swap travel stories!

My end-of-year challenge is to take some time to reflect on your "tops" of the year. Whether it's achievements, memories, or lessons learnt, you'll be amazed at how much you have to celebrate and be proud of.

Hit reply and share your top something with me; I’d love to hear from you.

Shine bright.

This month’s quote:

@iuliastration

☀️ Feeling generous? ⏩ Forward this story to a friend who may find it valuable.

With love,

Nadia

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