If I had to pick one word to describe 2023, it would be “rejuvenating”. Not only did I finally get the opportunity to step back from work completely for a few months, I also started to live healthier overall and make solid moves towards the person I want to become.
2023 Highlights
Stepped back from Notion
My contract with Notion ended in May, after almost 2 years of working together. While I was very grateful to have had the opportunity to work for a brand I loved with great people, I was also very much looking forward to getting a break from work and refocus on my mental health.
Weight loss
2023 is the first year I’ve lost weight in over a decade. It was a result of direct effort on my part and something I want to continue to work on this year and in years to come. My weight issues are not something I talk about a lot, because frankly, I don’t want to hear people’s opinions and misguided advice on the subject, but it is something I’m working on and I am proud of the strides I’m making.
Travel with friends
Solo travel is my modus operandi. And for a very long time, I never thought I would want to travel with anyone else, much less enjoy it. But this year, that changed. I visited Las Vegas with a friend for the 30th birthday, then later went to New York and spent a long weekend with another friend playing tourists in the Big Apple. We had a wonderful time and I hope to make trips like this a regular part of my travel plans in the future.
2024 Plans
No travel 😱
I know, I know. Strange, right? Outside of the pandemic years, I’ve traveled at least once every year since 2016. It’s a part of my personality now! Alas, I need a break. For two main reasons. One is that I really want to put my full attention on work, and that means limiting distractions like planning vacations and being on vacation. The second is that I do want to revisit my goal of becoming a digital nomad in the coming years, so I need to ensure I have a solid footing – financially and otherwise – before making that next step.
Back to freelance web design
Yep! While I still maintained websites for previous clients behind-the-scenes, I had taken a break from actively designing sites to focus on my dad, then to focus on my work with Notion. After a 3-month break last year, I found myself itching and ready to jump back in. Things are already in full swing and I’m happy to be back.
Clearing the backlog
I have a long list of over 50 books I’ve been meaning to “get to at some point” and some point never comes. Every year, I tell myself I’m going to stop acquiring books and start reading them, and every year I fail. Well, I’m trying again. But it will work this time, I swear!
So it seems that mostly, I want 2024 to be a lowkey, chill year at home. Working in the week, relaxing and reading on the weekends, and mentally preparing for my next big move – whatever or wherever that will be. But as always, only time will tell how things pan out. Wish me luck!