2024: the review edition

2024 is drawing to a close - here are the highlights for me and for the world.

2024 brought many big unexpected events. In politics, we saw Sunak's Conservatives ousted from the UK, as well as Macron's Renaissance in France. In the US, Trump made a comeback, beating Harris to win the US Presidential Election for a second time. With celebrities, we lost prolific people such as Dame Maggie Smith and President Jimmy Carter. Politics has seen change in another sense - with Trump's election, figures such as Elon Musk are now part of government, drawing attention to the rise of individuals with unrestricted influence on social media, technology, and now politics. Syria's dictatorship has been ousted and now the country faces a new age. Russia has continued its offensive against Ukraine, and Israel has continued to attack Palestine. We have also seen escalated tensions between North and South Korea, as well as South Korea having three presidents in December due to the previous two being impeached.

For me, 2024 has been another big year:

1. I exposed mistreatment from two youth organisations

   In January, I went public with Manchester Youth Council and British Youth Council and their gross mistreatment of me as a young person in their organisations. It was a big decision that had been bubbling for some time and still is - whilst BYC is dead, I am still in the corporate complaints process with the Council over MYC's actions. It highlights just how slow justice can be, and whilst I've felt like giving up many times, I won't drop it nor forget it because young people deserve better. More updates will come when I have them.

   
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   

2. I became a first-time national voter

   I got to vote in the July election! It was such a big moment and I really felt the responsibility. I also have to say it was an incredibly tough decision - I made my mind up last minute after going back and forth with a couple of parties. To be a part of the national electorate was exciting, but I only regret that the party choices were not what they have been in the past. Political parties have a lot of making up to do with the public and the next four years will certainly be interesting.

   
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   

3. I protested for student rights

   I attended some protests to stand up for students and issues that affects them. I feel that students are often overlooked and that any support that can be given is invaluable. Protesting is still so important and makes a difference. Whilst I don't get much opportunity to do it as much as I used to, I miss the feeling of being out on the streets in solidarity with others to demand change on key issues. It really feels like you are making a difference and have that support around you in a time where global conflicts feel so one-sided.

   
   
   
   

   

   
   

4. I started my own business

   I started a homemade chocolate truffle business based in Manchester! I was thinking about it for some time and decided to take the plunge and just do it. Like this blog, I thought it needed to be done. It has been incredibly tough getting things done behind the scenes, from marketing to design to style. I really feel like we're making good progress, with our TikTok page now live. It's been so nice to have people ordering from us and giving us their reviews. I can't wait to make more in 2025! I will link our pages below - feel free to place your order :)

   
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   

5. I became a Europe Young Ambassador

   I accepted the role of Europe Young Ambassador, which had a job description that spoke to me. I am in the process of creating political content for them to upload and share online which will assist in educating people. It is something that I have been doing for years anyway through my activism and online platforms, so to have this role and network behind me is a testament to the content I have been creating. It made me realise that even when I feel that my engagement is weak, the message that I want to share still holds the same value.

   
   
   
   

   

   
   

Conclusion

2024 was similar to 2023 in its highs and lows. I don't feel like I did much at all but looking back, there's more than I remember. I did achieve things personally and professionally. But I did struggle more than ever before. Every year brings new challenges and this was no different, as I made sacrifices I had never made before, like sleep. I have had to learn to survive on such little sleep. Was it worth it? Maybe. Sometimes it is all about getting through what you are going through.

2024 will be remembered as a year of perseverance - even if you don't get what you want, there are better things out there, and everything happens for a reason. We are where we are, and acknowledging that is the first step to unlocking what we were meant to achieve.

See you in 2025.

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