Echoes of the Year’s Lessons

The Prompt

As 2024 comes to an end, the Motivation community invites you to look back and gather the moments that defined your year. Perhaps it was a challenge that tested your resolve, an unexpected victory, or a simple realization that shifted your perspective. Write an essay that takes readers through your journey, inspiring them to reflect on their own year with a fresh lens. Your story could be the mirror someone needs to see their own growth or the encouragement they need for the year ahead.

In order for your submission to qualify, it must be:

• A story, 1,000 to 2,000 words in length.
• Submitted to the Motivation community. Your story will be disqualified if it is submitted to any other community.
• Submitted before December 22, 2024 at 11:59PM ET

The Prizes

• Grand Prize: $500
• Second Place: $200
• 15 Runners-Up: $25 each

For your story to be eligible, it must be between 1,000 to 2,000 words in length and adhere to our Community Guidelines.

Stories published on Vocal and entered into the contest up until December 22, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.

The Echoes of the Year’s Lessons Challenge is is exclusive to Vocal+ members. To learn more and upgrade to Vocal+, visit https://vocal.media/vocal-plus.

To be eligible to win the grand prize, second place, or runners-up prizes, you must be over the age of 13 and reside in a country where Stripe is available at the time of entry. A complete list of countries where Stripe is available can be found here—winners will need a Stripe account created and connected to receive prizes. Entrants located outside of these countries will not be eligible to win.