2024: A Year of Perseverance, Connections, and Quiet Triumphs

As I sit down to reflect on 2024, I find myself tracing back to its true beginning – December of last year, when I graduated from my Master’s program at UAL. That moment felt monumental, filled with excitement and trepidation about what lay ahead. The design industry, especially data visualisation, was going through its own struggles, and I wasn't entirely sure where I'd fit in.

The reality of navigating the creative data visualisation world hit me soon after graduation. Despite carrying experience and a portfolio that the community seemed to appreciate, I encountered an industry struggling with tight budgets and therefore hesitant to take on new collaborations. So, 2024 surely wasn’t a year that arrived with guarantees, especially when it came to navigating my own practice, finding meaningful work and becoming more involved with the community.

Even before the calendar turned to January, my plate was already overflowing – juggling proposal drafts, laying the groundwork for my new website, meeting with my family that I hadn’t seen in over a year, and squeezing in dance rehearsals. It felt like standing at the foot of a mountain, looking up at the climb ahead.

But here we are, at the end of the year, and I feel a mix of gratitude, exhaustion, and quiet pride. 2024 wasn’t marked by big, flashy milestones, but rather by meaningful projects, personal growth, and a lot of showing up – for others and for myself. Skepticism was my companion for much of the year. Would there be meaningful work? Would the collaborations I hoped for happen? Some days, the answers seemed distant. But I kept reaching out. Whether it was teaching a class, delivering a workshop, guiding local communities on a data walk, or diving into a new project, I found moments of contentment in simply being present. Sure, exhaustion was a regular visitor, but it was balanced by a sense of fulfilment that came with seeing something — however small — move forward. And over time, it did strengthen my belief that one thing truly does lead to another.

The year unfolded with a flurry of emails, coffee chats, and proposal writings. While my work resonated with the community, the reality of shrinking budgets meant hearing a lot of "we love your work, but..." The waiting was perhaps the hardest part. Weeks would stretch into months after seemingly promising conversations. Some leads simply faded into silence – the kind where you're never quite sure if you should follow up one more time or let it go. Each morning, I'd check my inbox hoping for responses that often never came. You wonder if you should have worded that email differently, or if your follow-up was too soon or too late. Sometimes, projects I'd almost forgotten about would suddenly resurface, while others that seemed certain would quietly disappear into the ether of unanswered emails. It was a test of persistence, showing up day after day, even when it felt like pushing against a tide. But good things happened in those moments of showing up.

The first long-term contract I landed, although with an extremely challenging client, arrived exactly when I needed it. Looking back, I realise how it did more than just pay the bills. It created a foundation of stability that allowed me to be more selective and intentional with my other work. This breathing room meant I could say yes to projects that spoke to different parts of my practice: diving into an academic research project, stepping into classrooms to teach, collaborating with community members, and building on my personal research.

The journey of consulting, I've learned, is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. You start by saying yes — perhaps more than you'd like — because that's the need of the hour. But gradually, with each project and each challenge overcome, you develop the confidence to be more discerning. The ability to say no isn't just about having enough work; it's about having enough faith in your own value and more importantly, enough financial runway to make choices aligned with your goals.

This year marked several personal milestones that validated this: clearing my student loans, rebuilding my savings, and creating a financial buffer for the near future. While difficult clients might be inevitable in consulting, having this stability made it easier to navigate challenging relationships and stay true to my professional values.

Looking back at all the projects from 2024, two of them stand out as financial anchors. But that’s just one part of the story. Some projects pushed me technically, while others came with steep learning curves. Academic work helped me stay connected to research-driven efforts, and community workshops and collaborations built up my facilitation skills. What stands out to me isn't just the variety but how each project, regardless of its size or budget, contributed something unique to my growth. Paid work kept the lights on, but self-driven projects and community workshops kept my sense of purpose alive. Long-term projects gave me stability, while smaller ones kept me connected to the wider community.

And then there was teaching – another anchor. Even on days when I felt drained, walking into a classroom filled me up. There was something grounding about helping others discover their path in data visualisation, even when my own felt uncertain.

What kept me going through the uncertain periods was the community work. The data walks and mapping workshops I facilitated across different cities helped me connect with people who shared my curiosity. I also had the chance to attend and speak at a few industry conferences this year, which was a great experience. It was both invigorating and humbling to connect with others in the field, exchange ideas, and share my own thoughts. The work we do is part of a larger conversation – and I’m grateful to have contributed to it.

This year taught me that professional growth rarely happens in isolation from personal challenges. No one prepares you for grief — not when it’s sudden, nor when it’s drawn out by watching your loved ones struggle. The past two years tested me in ways work never could. London, for all its vibrancy, can often feel isolating. It’s not a city where people pause to ask how you’re doing. Amidst this, I’m deeply grateful for the moments of connection that did find me. A warming cup of tea shared with someone who listened — even if only for a little while — meant more than words could say. These small acts reminded me that connection doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful.

Despite the work and worry, the year wasn't all about the grind. The demands of my Master's program had consumed much of the previous year, so returning to travel this year helped me rediscover stillness and appreciate life’s quieter joys. It reminded me that sometimes the best way to move forward is to pause and look around. I'm particularly proud of finally listening to what my body had been signalling for months. Getting back to my yoga mat and regular fitness classes felt like reconnecting with an old friend. Those sessions became my sanctuary in weeks that often felt chaotic. Sometimes, just rolling out of my mat and that final stretching sequence after class felt like a victory. Gradually, these small victories added up.

2024 taught me the value of consistency. Whether it was showing up for a project, a data walk, or a conversation, simply being there counted. I also learned to ask for help – something I’m still working on. To everyone who shared a cup of tea, offered a listening ear, or trusted me with their projects this year – thank you.

Here's to what comes next.