Roll Credits on 2024
As I sit on my porch, drinking my Baby’s Coffee coconut latte, looking out over the Blue Water bay, it’s a mixed bag of emotions reflecting on this past year. But damn do I FEEL it all.
I feel it in my feet from 16 hours days renovating a motel in North Carolina, I feel it in my legs from 70 flights of stairs a day building 4 homes at light speed in Salt Lake City. I feel it in my heart from graduations, big transitions, charity events and endless heartfelt conversations! I feel it in my soul from thriving kids, happy clients, and from my wonderful friends and family. I feel it on my heavy closed eyes knowing this was a year I needed, whether I knew it or not.
I knew turning 40, I wanted something big for myself!!! I was excited to see what a different decade of my life would bring and also I wanted to leave some things from my 30s behind for good!
At the beginning of 2024, in a wonderful women’s group I’m a member of, I choose my word of the year: AUTHENTICITY! Authentic to me means genuine, trustworthy, real, actual, true!!!!
I’ve always been a closeted detective at heart, being quite a nerd for ones truths, for justices, facts, data and stats, for the long version if you will! I wanted to look at my life in somewhat the same fashion. If I was seeking facts and honesty from the world around me, I wanted to take a look in my mirror and make sure I was exuding the same!
I have always admired people that are unforgivingly themselves. This year, I set the intention that I wanted to meet people where they were, show them where I was. I wanted more self realization and growth, more work success, happiness for my family, friends and clients!
I wanted rawness! I wanted realness! I wanted the ooey gooey gory details to understand my why’s and how’s. I wanted to spotlight the people in my life who also have a natural yearning for good, for healing, for honesty! And selfishly I wanted to lessen time spent with people who didn’t align with my values and efforts.
It was a year of deep thinking, less social media, personal contemplation, making the effort to slow down to be clear and kind to myself and my world around me! It was not always easy. I didn’t give people the easy or small talk answers. I had way more hard conversations with my close friends, family, my partner and with the kids. I learned so much about myself and what actually brings me joy. It truly was an authentic year!
Another big thing I did for myself was decide to be alcohol free for the whole year!
I have done long stints up to 9 months in past recent years… but I just kept hearing a friends voice that had her own curiosities saying “I wonder what I am capable of with no alcohol for a year” and I wanted to see it for myself too. As I’ve gotten older, I haven’t enjoyed alcohol as much as I did when I was younger. No matter the occasion, no matter if it was 1 or 5 drinks at a time, it was harder for me to get back to baseline, to feeling good! I knew giving it up this year would be a helpful factor in staying present, staying focused and making the most of every day. Most importantly to face it, feel it and process it all clearly.
This year has been something!!! Little bit of an understatement admitting I bit off more than I SHOULD chew. Lots of late nights meeting deadlines, 5 months away from home, moving offices, unexpected investment properties, growing a real estate team, stepping into a new role as a coordinator for a national military non profit, on top of normal construction, 3 teenagers… and some kind of social life! LOL! Insane!
I have learned a valuable lesson that just because I am capable of something or good at something, does not always mean I should say yes! I have learned even more that if it does not feed my soul, it is not for me! My personal and work boundaries have grown stronger for my individual needs. My circle has naturally gravitated to more like-minded people who also come from a place of love and AUTHENTICITY!
This holiday break has been so needed.. slowing down, sharing time with family and friends, piddlin’ around my house that I have missed so much and just BEING!
I have enjoyed reflecting on all of the things that made this year so full, admittedly sometimes frantic but also downright exciting!
Kenna Construction had a great year, including a large historic interior project, a pool and poolhouse revamp, a few dreamy bathrooms, a couple stunning kitchens, big and small, a bold 3/2 flip up the keys, fixes for friends, an office build out and one feel-good full-rebuild underway that has been in the works for years!
We gave back to our community in more ways than ever before. We were even nominated for Best Contractor in this year’s Bubba Award’s. But most importantly we grew our relationships with our vendors, suppliers, subcontractors, and clients! We are a hardworking little family company and I’m so grateful for my Kenna team!! We are excited for another busy booked year. Thank you to all who supported Kenna Construction in 2024.
ShineGroup crushed its first full fiscal year. We took our team to eXpCon, helped 22 families, gave 10% of our team earnings to our non profit passion project, Shoveling Sunshine.
We moved offices landing us in Key Lime Square, a bustling little pocket of Old Town Key West that we love so much. We are looking forward to growing this year in big ways, cultivating our team of knowledgeable, kind and passionate agents and partners! We all share a love of Key West and will continue to serve the people of the Keys, old and new, in the most authentic way we know how!
Our girls are thriving in school, sports, theater and friendships! Mike and I ended the year with a 2 and a half week road trip home from Salt Lake. It was so nice to just roam and reconnect after the busiest year we’ve had in our 10 years together. I’m so excited to continue doing life with a partner who is so supportive and is always down for an adventure. The future looks incredibly bright next to you my love.
To sum up the year, it has been an exhilarating, fast-tracked whirlwind!
To 2024,
You will forever be a special year to me! Thank you for making me better!
To 2025,
I see you! I see your potential! I see my goals vividly. I see my boundaries!
I see the work, growth and efforts we have been stockpiling. I see the war chest growing. I see the ear to ear smiles, the belly laughs, the worth it reveals! I see the roads we will explore and the risks worth taking! I know it will Shine, I know it will be covered in Man Glitter. I know it will be the best yet!
-Jess
