Reflecting on 2023 and Setting goals for 2024
I received a 2024 planner from a friend.
This has inspired me to do one new year’s resolution post. Who knows? Dreams and thoughts find a way manifesting into reality. It takes all shapes and forms.
Have you tried writing them down and revisiting them the following year?
Visit the Top Memories in 2023
What made 2023 hard to forget:
World finally came out of covid and it felt like we woke up from a Blip. I experienced China’s open first-hand — unreal flight cost, hotel quarantines, home quarantines, crowded hospitals…China opened up after the world decided to ‘forget’ about covid. I sense lots of eagerness and willingness to find new distractions like economics and wars.
My dad passed away from covid along with everything else going on with his health. My mum and I always thought he had longer times, himself thought so. This caught both of us by surprise when he departed this world on the 28th of June, 2023. He now lives forever in a better part of my memory. Whenever I think about it, I felt like the whole 2023 turned into a blur and just this one day kept hitting replays. Also I feel antagonised every time someone tries to talk to me about it. I’m still processing.
2023 was full of actions. It was a year I learned to let go of certain beliefs and expectations and let things take their course. This line of thinking began long before 2023. There were moments I felt I would never be in complete control, and instead of feeling frustrated at times, I made peace with these moments.
I suspect these beliefs rooted from upbringing and childhood memories. Someone must have done extensive research and written books on this.
Anyhow, here are the more joyful parts of 2023:
- Visited the Great Wall of China during China’s Covid lockdown. There were only cats and a few tourists. I had the best time having the Great Wall to myself.
- Hosted a friend and her cousin for a two-month stay in Sydney. I had some fun moments, and through this hosting experience, I can see myself becoming more accustomed to having my own space. Looking back, the 2019 me took couch surfing guest in a tiny apartment.
- Hosted my mum for a three-month stay in Sydney. We had our ups and downs but neither less I’m proud we made a solid effort to be a part of each others lives since dad’s passing.
- Hosted my in-laws for a three-week stay in Sydney. This turned out to be easier than I thought. Hope they will go back looking after themselves better. While many millennials practice lots of self-care, I feel the boomers/Gen X need it more.
- My husband and I trekked the Three Capes in Tasmania. It’s a 48km multi-day track. It’s our first multi-day track and I’m proud of ourselves making it to the end. The view was astonishing.
- Coming back to working in tech is a thrill. Oh goodness how much I’ve hated selling clothes. I’m enjoying working with the new team.
- Developed a website and a brand guideline for my client. This allowed me to see how much I’ve matured as a marketer.
- Joined an AI builder community. I overcame stage fright and did a pitch for a game Mafia.
- I drove more this year and upgraded to Green P. I got to Macquarie Park all by myself with no hiccups.
- Finally, many happy beach days…Still feeling truly blessed to live in a beautiful city like Sydney.
- My friends and family showed up and supported me. They may not have acted the way I expected them to come support but they were there in one way or another.
Turning 30 in 2024
Confucius once said:
“吾十有五而志于学，三十而立，四十而不惑，五十而知天命，六十而耳顺，七十而从心所欲，不逾矩。”
ChatGPT 3.5 translates this to the below.
“At fifteen, I set my mind on learning. At thirty, I stood firm. At forty, I had no doubts. At fifty, I understood the Heavenly Mandate. At sixty, my ear was obedient. At seventy, I could follow my heart’s desire without transgressing the norm.”
Am I about to enter the doubtful years of my life and aim to have no doubts at the age of 40? Have I found a firm ground at the age of 30? Reflecting on my journey through twenties, I am experiencing a greater sense of stability than I did previously.
Here are the aspects this LinkedIn post suggested to have a balanced lifestyle. I haven’t extensively researched to identify the optimal framework for outlining this. My approach so far has been a basic Google search. I welcome any suggestions and recommendations.
I will put down some goals first and think ways to achieve these throughout this year. This allows me to think about the values before hastily drawing conclusions or creating to-do lists.
Physical Health
I need to find a healthier state for my body.
I’m not particularly happy with the current state of health. My arms and legs feel loose. I’m not digesting well despite having little food. I grow tired after 20 minutes of yoga. I have not been exercising regularly in the past year. Lower belly bloat often causing discomfort and even less willingness to exercise.
Family and Relationship Fulfilment
Create more long-lasting bonds and memories with families and friends.
I found myself cherishing travel memories of my family, friends and life partner. I was watching the 2022 Trip to Fraser Island the other day. It’s not the most luxurious one but the most fun.
Much like the multi-day trekking experience in Tasmania, these memories radiate a golden warmth whenever they come to mind.
Work and Career Prosperity
I’m 6 months into this new job. Oh wow, It is equivalent to 5 years in a dog’s life. I still enjoy working with my manager and the wider team.
In 2024, I would like to develop more understanding of the legal and e-discovery industry. Keep up with the business goals. Treat others like how I would like to be treated at work. Show interest and respect to others.
Most importantly, stay curious and be interested in learning more about others. I continue to believe that being interested is essential to being interesting.
Wealth and Money Satisfaction
Find more income streams and money hacks to support life goals. Introduce more clarity and figure out the big global travel plan that I had in mind for years.
Spiritual Wellness
Find focus, stillness and faith in my day-to-day. Make more deductions rather than adding more out of fear of missing out.
Wish me luck in 2024! I already feel more energised after finishing writing up this new year’s resolution post.
Sincerely yours,
A spontaneous Medium writer who needs to write more
