Best of 2023: Year in Review

2023 has been a very challenging but rewarding year for me. I discovered so much about myself this year. It was a year of growth, letting go, and prioritizing my well-being. Since this is not only the last blog of the year, but also the 20th blog I have written this year, I decided to make this a special one with all my favourite moments from 2023 to end the year on a good note.

Activities For This Year:

I rediscovered my love for journaling this year and I am so excited to break into my new Hobonichi planner for 2024! I fell off of journaling in 2023 with job stress and just life in general. I have been collecting new stickers and planners this month and I am happy to welcome this back into my life.

2024 Hobonichi Lineup if you are still looking for a planner: https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/lineup/

I also started a blog this year! You know this if you are reading this right now. It has been on my radar for years and I decided to jump into it this year. I love sharing my life and thoughts and researching good fashion, stationery, and things to do. I hope to grow this more in 2024!

A screenshot of the home page of my blog "Life in Words" as of this year 2023.

Finally, I started dancing again in 2023. I have a rocky relationship with dancing and did not appreciate the classes as a kid but I have started enjoying it much more in my adulthood. I realized the importance of moving your body and keeping active in your adulthood. You do not have to lift weights or run a marathon for this. Choose whatever makes you feel the best!

Movies For This Year:

2023 was a good year for movies. I love going to the movie theatre and I really missed this activity during the pandemic years. These are my favourite movies from 2023:

The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – November 2023: I am a huge Hunger Games fan so no surprises here. When I read the prequel I knew this movie had potential and the actors did a fantastic job at executing the prequel.

A still from Hunger Games: Ballards of Songbirds and Snake which came out this year 2023.

The Boy And The Heron – December 2023: Studio Ghibli rarely has a miss. This was the perfect retirement movie for Miyazaki. The animation is so beautiful. It was a really good movie to end the year with.

A still from the Boy and the Heron which came out this year 2023.

Barbie – July 2023: This was such a good summer movie. It was fun, colourful, and brought so many women together.

A still from the Barbie movie and Snake which came out this year 2023.

TV For This Year:

I love watching TV and may have a binge-watching problem. I am however proud to say I discovered some really good TV this year. These are the shows I have been watching this year (they are NOT new, just new to me)

Derry Girls: I cannot say enough good things about this show. My only gripe is that it was too short. This is probably my favourite show ever. It is so funny and so touching at the same time. I recommend this show to every single person I meet. Watch it on Netflix!

A still from Derry Girls a show that I watched this year 2023.

Gilmore Girls: This show has really helped me deal with the winter blues. It is so cozy, witty, and charming. I am still making my way through it but I am trying to pace myself and enjoy it through the winter (we still have 4 months left 🙁). Watch it on Netflix!

A still from Gilmore Girls a show that I watched this year 2023.

Trips For This Year:

I travelled to Korea for the first time this year and I had the best time! I also got to see the country during the cherry blossom season which was stunning. I kept pinching myself the entire time I was there. The food, the coffee, the shopping, the sightseeing- everything was amazing.

A photo of Gwangjang market taken this year.

A photo of Korean cherry blossoms taken this year.

I also went to Disney for the first time this year and I had a great time. I felt like a child again. Nothing like going to Disney for the first time for sure!

A photo of Disney World: Magic Kingdom taken this year.

Books For This Year:

One of my 2023 goals was to read more and I am happy to say that I have read more this year. I still have some more regular reading to do in the next year but I am very pleased with everything I read this year. These were my favourite books this year:

Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen: I had a huge P&P phase this year. I read the book, watched the movie, and watched the BBC show as well. I loved it so much.

Buy It Here

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Suzanne Collins: My Hunger Games phase has made a return a decade later. The prequel was so well thought out and intentional and I really enjoy her writing style.

Buy It Here

Lessons For This Year:

These are the top 3 things I learned this year:

If they wanted to, they would – this is not just in regards to relationships but friendships as well. Any friend who does not want to put the effort in to keep a connection with you is not worth keeping. You need to let go of relationships that bring you down to make space for new ones.
If you want something, you have to ask – No one is a mind reader. This is especially important for your career. Do not be afraid of speaking up for yourself and demanding what is fair to you. You are the best advocate for yourself.
Exercise is important beyond just weight loss – I have had years of internal struggle with body image issues and my relationship with exercise. This year I exercised because I wanted to feel good mentally, not just to lose weight. Exercise is important for mental well-being, physical health, and forming a community as well.

I also broke 100 new viewers on my blog this year and thank you to all of you who have read and/or found my content helpful. I hope to continue making fun blogs in the next year! Hope you all have a very happy new year.

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