Reflection of the year 2023. What does that sound like to you? Seems pretty simple, right? Think about the year and well…reflect on it. Is that all though?

I personally don’t think I’ve ever just sat down and had a full reflection of the year. In this case, reflection of the year 2023. Yes, I’ve thought about it but never really talked about it in detail or written it out. So, let’s try something new right now on the last day of the year (over here).

Grab a pen and paper, pop up notes somewhere on your computer or phone, and join along in this 3 am journey.

How did this “Reflection of the year 2023” start?

I was watching Youtube like normal and a video popped up called 2024 Goals Reset and I was listening to it while making coffee. I had never seen the creator before but was intrigued.

You can watch the video here:

Around the 2:30 mark, it caught my attention and made me stop to actually do it. Shocking.

So, there are 5 prompts that she lists out for Reflection of the year 2023. I’m going to list them below, so you can think about them and answer them yourselves and then follow up with my answers.

BUT WAIT!

First, do you have something ready to write your answers down? Get it now~

Got it?

Ready?

Ok, let’s begin

Here they are:

1. What were 3 big accomplishments you had in 2023?
   • I want you to think all the way from January 1st until now. It can be something small that triggered a chain of event even. Think carefully since you can overlook something.
2. What are 3 areas of your life you want to improve in 2024?
   • This can be anything. School, relationships, work, health, time management, etc.
3. In what moments in 2023 did you feel most alive? (Happy, free, energetic, etc)
   • Was it surprising a loved one? Being around your best friends? Playing games? Spending time with your pet? Traveling? Leaving a toxic situation (job, relationship, environment)?
4. Did you choose a word for 2023? If so, did your year reflect that word?
   • If you didn’t choose one, how would you describe it now in one word?
5. What aspects of your goals, habits, or life do you want to bring from 2023 to 2024?
   • This can be anything now that you want to continue into the new year.

I would say take a moment, maybe 5-15 minutes to think about these questions and your answers.

Is there anything that you thought about that kind of shocked you or that you forgot about until now?

My answers

Prompt #1

What were 3 big accomplishments you had in 2023?

1. Left Korea-was there for 10 years, and didn’t think I was going to ever leave
2. Went home- it was the first time I went back since August of 2016. So much changed, but a lot became clearer.
3. Moved to China- a dream of mine since I was a kid. Took almost a year and a ton of paperwork, but made it.

Prompt #2

What are 3 areas of your life you want to improve in 2024?

1. Health (mental and physical)-I took a break physically this year. Didn’t plan on it, but definitely have to get back into my routine. Mentally, I have been doing a lot of work and want to start therapy soon.
2. Relationships (family, friends, and love)-I just want to show up better for those I care about.
3. Work/Career goals- side hustles- There’s a lot I want to do, but I want to focus on a few things first. Getting more money with my current job and working on getting another stream of income.

Prompt #3

In what moments in 2023 did you feel most alive? (Happy, free, energetic, etc)

1. Traveling in Vietnam solo.
   • What was a random rumor at work turned into me actually booking a trip just because to chill for 2 weeks. No regrets. Would definitely go back.
2. Going home spending time with my sister and trying new recipes
   • Spending time with my sister honestly was the highlight of this year.
3. Moving across the world…again
   • What can I say? I love living abroad.

Prompt #4

Did you choose a word for 2023 If so, did your year reflect that word?

I didn’t choose a word, but if I were to summarize it with one, I’d say change.

It’s been a huge year of changes for me. Traveling, leaving Korea, going home, moving to another country. Not on high alert all the time. Setting boundaries with people, including family. It’s been a lot. In a good way.

Prompt #5

What aspects of your goals, habits, or life do you want to bring from 2023 into 2024?

Boundaries

Mentioned it earlier. It has taken me a long time to get where I’m at with these. I’ve always had boundaries, but I feel as if they weren’t in place long or would move depending on the person and/or situation. That’s not how they should work. I want them set, even if it makes things a bit uncomfortable at first. However, I believe that if someone cannot respect these boundaries, they do not deserve to be in my life. That includes close friends and family (parents as well).

Adventures

I live in China now and should explore since I haven’t explored much since I’ve been here. The plan is to change that. I feel the itch to get out there and enjoy this wonderful opportunity. Not only in China but in other countries as well. I finally have the time and making decent money where I’ll be able to afford some trips. Why not?

Being myself without caring about what others think (including family)

I know I keep bringing up family, but I’ve dealt with a lot from my family. Especially certain members that one would think would be supportive but honestly, they aren’t and never will be. So, I’ve decided that it just doesn’t matter what they think and they are closely related to me, so why does it matter about what anyone else thinks?

Letting go of the past

This is one is taking some time. I’m working through a lot, and I am honestly a bit surprised at how many layers there are. However, it’s allowing me to see why I react to some things the way I do. I do know I can’t hold on to it all forever though.

Definitely easier said than done. There’s so much that goes into it but I don’t want it to prevent me from being the best version of myself I can be.

I’m not trying to forget it all. I just want to use it all as stepping stones to a better future. Not even stumbling blocks, because I’ve already overcome them. I have to keep looking forward without looking back. That’s how I’ll fall and miss the opportunities that are right in front of me.

That’s what I want to prevent.

Woo~ to finishing my reflection of the year 2023 in 30 minutes.

All in all, doing this has put a lot of things into perspective for me. What about you? Have you ever felt like you didn’t do much but in reality you did?

Share this with your friends and family. Talk together. Even change it up a bit and answer the questions based on what you know for someone close to you and have them do the same for you. The answers might shock you.

Share your own reflection of the year 2023 below or even in IG. Tag me, I’d love to read them.

Until next time~ 再见～