And so 2024 draws to a close. Where has the year gone? Although I note I suspect I say that every year, and at the end of each term and half term….Is it an age thing or related to the frenzied pace rushing from one half term, term, academic year or calendar year to the next; I am not sure. But as 2024 draws to its close I think its about time for that little bit of annual reflection and a look back on my pledges which I set out in January (Read more here).
Doom Scrolling
This was something I worried about at the start of the year, that I was spending too much time mindlessly flicking through my phone. The end of 2023 did find me feeling a bit lost with social media being a welcome distraction, albeit not a positive one. 2024 saw me install and delete TikTok on a number of occasions in relation to this, while also seeing me removing Facebook also as I made little use of it other than to consume content, and doom scroll. Looking at quantitative figures, in late December 2023 I was on my phone around 3hrs 20mins per week however half way through December 2024 my average had dropped to 2hr 38mins based on a 5wk rolling average, so that suggests a reduction albeit it’s a little higher than the 2hr 30mins I was looking to achieve. In terms of increased real social interactions I mentioned, am not sure whether I managed this or not. I certainly have been out and about a bit more recently plus professionally 2024 has seen me involved in a number of groups and projects. Maybe my ideal view of what I think I should be doing is different from what might be possible in the digital world we now live in? Maybe I need to manage my expectations better here?
Fitness
I managed my target of running 500km this year, with a couple of weeks to spare however I didn’t manage the longer runs or a social run as I had set myself. I did find it challenging this year, never really building up any real momentum with my running and being quite erratic at times, but sometimes it is pushing through and succeeding when things are difficult which matters. I suspect I will relax on fitness for next year just to give my body a bit of a breather after a couple of years of 500km+ per year of running. Again, the issue of social activities comes up as something I fell short on, but is that as I am more of an introvert and self-motivated rather than someone who really enjoys doing activities, including fitness related activities, with a group? With a bit of OCD, do I prefer the assuredness and ease of doing things solo, versus the messiness and complexity where it involves other humans being? Do I need to be happier in my own solo fitness efforts rather than looking towards others?
Exploring
Not sure I really did much exploring this year, although I did venture once more to Tenerife, and maybe explored Fareham and surrounding areas a little bit. Oh and who could forget the trauma of my visit to Venice and the Grand Canal. This is definitely an area where I have fallen short this year, but where at least some progress was made and something I need to consider for next year. That being said, exploring and travel requires a number of pre-requisites such as time and money, both of which I have struggled at times with during 2024.
Happiness and adapting
2024 for me was very much about adapting to changes which started at the end of 2023. It has been a difficult year with some definite dark and bright spots, with the tail end of the year starting to show signs of promise. I think one of the challenges for me has been, being happiest when I am busy but feeling a little lost when I am less busy and should be relaxing; This is something I need to resolve, possibly in finding a better balance between work and personal life, which is something I feel I started to in the 2nd half of 2024. It is with this thought that I want to see in the new year and start 2025, hopefully growing the things that have made me happiest over the recent months.
Achievements
This year has been really busy in terms of engaging with various EdTech events with my involvement in over 20 different events, including an event in Venice. I was also close to getting back out to the Middle East and contributing to an event out there, after almost 10 years since I was last out there however this proved a bit costly so I had to give it a miss; Maybe something for next year! I have repeatedly found myself referring to David Weinberger’s, “the smartest person in the room is the room” this year, so am grateful for so many opportunities to contribute to various rooms and to hear from so many amazing educational and IT professionals who are equally sharing their thoughts, knowledge and expertise. In an increasingly frantic world, with the significant pace of technological change, our best chance continues to be to share with others and work collaboratively. If acknowledging anyone the ANME and the Digital Futures Group are of particular note, as are my colleagues on the ISC Digital Advisory Group, who have all provided me so much help, advice and much more throughout 2024.
Conclusion
2024 is almost at an end, and my reflection rather than providing me answers has provided me more questions. That reminds me of a quote I saw recently which said “the problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts and the stupid ones are full of confidence”. Now am not saying I am intelligent, but I definitely have had and continue to have my doubts in many areas of my life, being it about my fitness, my career and work, my family and more, but maybe these doubts are normal. Maybe seeking the answers is an eternal struggle, but where no answers will ever be found, and in which case maybe I need to be happy with the journey. So maybe that’s a good way to leave this review of 2024, in saying its been a bit of a journey, with an unknown destination, but at least the weather here, where I am now compared to where I was in Dec 2023, is better!
Technology and Learning