morning person

morning person

Share this post

morning person
morning person
Issue #176: Highs and Lows from a Year Unlike Any Other
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Issue #176: Highs and Lows from a Year Unlike Any Other

Plus journal prompts for the new year...

Leslie Stephens
Dec 31, 2024
∙ Paid
145

Share this post

morning person
morning person
Issue #176: Highs and Lows from a Year Unlike Any Other
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
6
1
Share
A much-needed croissant break, mid-book tour

If 2023 felt like being tossed down a tunnel of grief, 2024 was the year I crawled out of it. Looking back, I can’t entirely believe everything that happened. I had my fill of monumental milestones—getting divorced, publishing my first novel, creating my home, traveling the world—but, in reflecting, it’s the smaller moments that stand out. I pursued curiosities, went for long hikes in the pouring rain, made frittata, paid off debt and set new goals. I read books, then befriended the women who wrote them, ran back onto dance floors for my favorite song, shared kisses, sat in hot saunas and baths, brewed hundreds of cups of coffee (and forgot to finish at least half of them). I learned to love a little deeper, and that the low-lows make room for the high-highs.

I’m ending this year so full of gratitude for the people I met, the places I saw, and the ways in which I grew. This little corner of the internet expanded too (there are nearly 36,000 of you here now!), and I got to meet hundreds of you, at events and book readings across the country. I am genuinely in awe of you. Thank you, thank you for being a part of Morning Person. I have some major plans for new year, but before this one is up, I wanted to take a moment to share a few of my favorite photos—including many I’ve never shared before!—and posts from 2024, as well as some journal prompts so you can reflect on yours. See you back here in January! x

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to morning person to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Leslie Stephens
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More