When the year ends, I usually like to take a look back at how my year has gone by. I know some people like to talk about the year that was through a lengthy post on Facebook or for some, through an Instagram reel. I usually like to write about mine and so here I am, writing about how 2023 has been for me.

Describe 2023 in one word

I’ll summarize my 2023 with one word – rollercoaster. Why? Because in 2023, I felt the highest of high emotions and the lowest of lows. It was a year of sheer joy and amazement as I hit a lot of first milestones (first solo travel, first country outside Asia, and first visa-required trip) and the lowest of lows (hello, heartbreak).

But it’s because it was such a rollercoaster that I learned so much from 2023.

Stuff 2023 Taught Me

Finance
  • The beauty and importance of having multiple income streams. While I have established a few other ways to earn, I’ve yet to achieve that level where my other income streams are already significant enough to be at par with my salary from my full-time job.
  • Retail therapy is well and good just as long as you don’t go into debt over it or go broke. I have a very bad habit of shopping to chase my blues away. Last year, I was constantly trying to distract myself from the fact that I was lonely and didn’t want to deal with heartbreak so I shopped my heart away. Finally, I’m okay emotionally but now I have to fix the financial mess I put myself in again!
  • The only way to grow your money is to invest wisely. Last year, I took a big risk and ventured into real estate investment. The elders in my family said real estate is a good move.
Work
  • It’s okay to stay in a job for practical reasons. The things I love about my job? I’m compensated well enough and even have HMO and insurance. And most importantly, I get to work from home or anywhere really, so long as I have a good Internet connection and a laptop.
Relationships
  • Actions speak louder than words. Oh I know it’s not a new lesson. I’ve read and heard this phrase numerous times in my life. It’s just that in 2023, I finally understand what people mean.
  • Learn to set boundaries and stand by them. Last year, someone gaslighted me into believing that boundaries are not an act of trust and openness between people. But setting boundaries is important in any relationship – be it friendship, work, family, or romantic ones. Boundaries help us determine what is and what is not okay in a relationship. It helps us protect our well-being and it builds safety, respect, and trust.
  • Love yourself more than anyone else. I always considered myself to be someone with a strong sense of self-love. But last year made me realize I need to develop a deeper sense of self-love because I had let myself get disrespected over and over again. Even when I knew my boundaries were being ignored, I let it happen. Someone who has a deep and strong sense of self-love would have said “This is not serving me well” and walked away without ever looking back.
Life in General
  • Prayers are always answered even if it’s not the answer you were looking for. Last year, at a time when I was already feeling so confused and so down, I prayed. It was not the answer I wanted. But it was the answer to my prayer.
  • Don’t force things. I read a quote about this. It said, “If something is meant for you, it will come in clarity, not confusion.” Last year, I tried to force a connection with someone. All I ever got for it was sadness.
  • Don’t wait for people. If you want to do something, do it alone. Having company is always nice and often when I want to do something like travel, I will ask my friends to go. Last year though, I went ahead and travelled solo. It was the thrill of a lifetime for me.

My friend and I also did a podcast about the lessons we learned in 2023. Listen on Spotify.