As the year winds down, I’m left marveling at how utterly bonkers it’s been. Work, in particular, has been a rollercoaster—one of those rickety ones where you’re not sure if you’re thrilled or just holding on for dear life. Raising alarms only to be told, “It’s my company, my risk, just do it,” has been the recurring theme. Collaboration? More like a solo act with an audience politely pretending to clap.

And don’t get me started on all the talk of diversity and inclusion—buzzwords that sound great but feel emptier than my inbox on a Friday afternoon. Honestly, 2024 has been the year of pretending. Pretending to care, pretending to collaborate, pretending it all makes sense. Spoiler: it doesn’t.

Here’s to hoping 2025 dials down the drama and brings a little more honesty—and maybe fewer meetings that could’ve been emails.