Spotify and YouTube recap

Every year, I eagerly await my Spotify Wrapped and YouTube Recap. It’s like a personal time capsule of all my listening and viewing habits, and honestly, it always throws up a few surprises! This year was no exception, especially since I've been trying to broaden my horizons beyond just music. Looking at my Spotify Wrapped, I was pretty shocked to see I racked up 18,692 minutes of listening. That put me in the top 20% of listeners worldwide, which is wild! My biggest listening day was October 16th with 223 minutes – clearly, I was in a music zone that day. But the real standout for me was my top song: '505' by Arctic Monkeys. Seriously, how did that happen? It's a classic, of course, but to be in the top 0.5% of listeners for that specific track felt pretty special. It just goes to show how some songs can really stick with you, bringing back memories or just perfectly fitting a mood. While '505' held the top spot, my overall top artists included Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, The Neighbourhood, and The Weeknd, with other songs like 'Sharpener,' 'Treehouse,' 'Nonsense,' and 'Espresso' rounding out my top five. It’s a pretty eclectic mix, reflecting different moods and phases throughout the year. What I'm particularly proud of this year is my pivot towards podcasts. Ever since a coworker got me hooked in 2022, I’ve been dedicated to listening to more people and exploring new perspectives. My top 5 podcasts really show that growth: National Park After Dark, A Paranormal Chicks, Back on the Broomstick, Witch Wednesdays, and Southern Bramble. If you're into spooky stories, true crime, or anything a bit witchy and mysterious, you absolutely have to check these out. They've been a fantastic way to learn, get some laughs, and dive deep into topics I wouldn't usually explore through music alone. It's truly a different kind of listening experience that I've come to love. Then there's my YouTube Recap, which was equally revealing. My 'Born to Sim' gamer card perfectly summed up my year of content: 'Creating and managing virtual worlds comes naturally to me.' Yep, The Sims 4 was hands down the game I watched the most this year. It’s so relaxing to watch others build and tell stories in a virtual world! My top 5 gaming creators for 2024 were lilsimsie, CarynandConnieGaming, sillee, Syd Mac, and See JenGame. If you're a fellow Simmer, you probably know these names! Syd Mac, in particular, always brings such creative builds and engaging storylines to her Sims 4 gameplay. Her unique style and attention to detail make her videos incredibly rewatchable, and I always find myself inspired to jump back into my own game after watching her streams. The other creators are fantastic too, each bringing their own flavor to the Sims universe, from challenges to elaborate builds. It's amazing how much entertainment I get from watching people play games, and my YouTube Recap really highlighted that. Overall, these yearly recaps are more than just numbers; they tell a story about my year, my moods, and my discoveries. They encourage me to keep exploring new music, delve deeper into fascinating podcasts, and find more incredible creators like Syd Mac. What were your top picks this year?