Donald Trump is heading back to the White House in January, and for many Americans, it feels like a long-awaited return to common sense. After years of chaos, record inflation, skyrocketing energy costs, and global instability, the 45th—and now 47th—President is poised to get the country back on track. But let’s be clear: as much as we all want a return to the prosperity of 2019, it’s not going to happen overnight. Trump may be back in office, but undoing the damage of the last few years will take time—and patience.

First, let’s remember what 2019 looked like. Unemployment was at historic lows, gas was affordable, and the stock market was setting records. America was energy independent, and businesses were thriving under deregulation and tax cuts. It felt like the country was firing on all cylinders. But those gains weren’t an accident. They were the result of deliberate, pro-growth policies implemented during Trump’s first term. Getting back to that level of prosperity is going to require the same kind of focused effort—and the results won’t be immediate.

Why? Because Washington is a machine, and it takes time to turn a massive ship around. Trump will face an entrenched bureaucracy, a divided Congress, and years of policies designed to slow growth and redistribute wealth. Reversing the damage done by massive spending bills, anti-energy regulations, and the erosion of border security will require legislative victories, executive orders, and time for those policies to take effect. And let’s not forget the courts, where legal challenges to common-sense reforms will no doubt pile up.

Take energy independence, for example. Trump has pledged to unleash American energy production again, and there’s no doubt he’ll hit the ground running. But opening up drilling, reviving the Keystone XL pipeline, and dismantling green energy mandates takes more than a signature. Producers need time to ramp up operations, and markets need time to respond. The impact will be positive, but it won’t be immediate. Gas prices will come down, but don’t expect them to drop to $2 a gallon the day after the inauguration.

Then there’s inflation. Years of reckless spending under the current administration have left us with record-breaking inflation that’s still eating away at Americans’ paychecks. Trump has the tools to address it—cutting spending, reforming entitlements, and encouraging economic growth—but inflation doesn’t disappear overnight. Even the best fiscal policies take time to work their way through the economy. The Federal Reserve will need to adjust, markets will need to stabilize, and consumers will need to see the benefits before they feel like they’re back on solid ground.

The same goes for international trade and foreign policy. Trump’s “America First” approach reshaped global markets during his first term, securing better deals for American workers and businesses. But rebuilding those relationships and reversing the damage caused by weak leadership will take time. Don’t expect China to cave in on trade or Russia to change its behavior the moment Trump takes the oath of office. It’s a process, and it requires strategy, leverage, and patience.

Here’s the reality: as much as we’d like to snap our fingers and return to 2019, that’s not how the real world works. The damage done over the past few years is deep, and it will take more than one man—even Trump—to fix it. But if there’s anyone who can turn things around, it’s him. Trump has already proven that he knows how to cut through red tape, rally Americans, and deliver results. We’ve seen what his policies can do, and we know the formula works. Now it’s just a matter of implementing it again—and waiting for the results to materialize.

So, as we head into 2025, let’s manage our expectations. Trump’s return to the White House is a huge step in the right direction, but the road back to prosperity will take time. Be patient, stay informed, and remember: good things come to those who wait. And with Trump back in charge, the wait will be worth it.