As we bid farewell to 2023, a year filled with its highs and lows, I find myself in a contemplative mood, reflecting on the experiences that shaped the past 12 months. Amidst the challenges and triumphs, I am proud of the strides I made.
New Degree: At the start of 2023, I started my MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). They say knowledge is power, but right now, it feels more like I signed up for a masterclass in chaos. Let’s see how this story ends in 2024.
29th Birthday: Celebrating the big 2-9 felt more like a “welcome to adulthood” party. Who knew adulting involved so much decision-making and pretending to have it all together? Spoiler alert: I don’t.
Trip to USA: In August, I embarked on a journey that took me back to San Francisco for the second time, a place that strangely now feels like a second home. Additionally, I explored Arizona for the first time, a place that challenged my preconceived notion that Cyprus was a perpetually hot country.
You know in the movies when someone travels to the other side of the world and suddenly discovers a new self? Yeah.. that didn’t happen. I didn’t find a new me. Instead, my grand return home involved a delayed return flight and the realisation that I am terrified at the prospect of relocating to another country. It turns out, my love for my home is so intense that it defies all sensible explanation. Ultimately, the trip reinforced the idea that no matter how far you travel, you cannot escape the essence of who you are.
Breaking Bad: While the rest of the world moved on to new series, I finally discovered ‘Breaking Bad’ in 2023. Yes, I’m fashionably late to the binge-watching party, but who can resist the allure of Walter White’s questionable life choices?
Random new hobby: Pottery classes became my unexpected sanctuary. Turns out, molding clay is not only therapeutic but also a fantastic way to avoid adult responsibilities. Bonus points for creating something that vaguely resembles art.
Still alive: Surviving multiple existential crises deserves a medal, or at least a participation trophy. It turns out questioning the meaning of life is a great workout for the brain, and I’ve officially earned my philosophical stripes.
As the curtain falls on 2023, I find myself miraculously unscathed, in good health, and surrounded by people who haven’t run away screaming from my chaotic existence. Instead of crafting a laundry list of resolutions for 2024, I’ve decided to trust the cosmic chaos and see where the universe takes me next.
In the upcoming year, my plan is simple – more travel, less adulting, and a commitment to staying creative in the midst of the madness. Here’s to hoping that 2024 brings fewer existential crises and more hilarious plot twists.
Wishing everyone a 2024 filled with laughter, adventure, and the kind of luck that turns even the most absurd situations into memorable anecdotes. Let’s make it a year worth surviving!
MG x