#20: the 2023 that was
the last week of 2023, let's reflect before we go hustle towards the next year.
Hi! I am Rox, and this is The Weekly Pause, bringing you a mid-week reminder to pause and reflect. The end of a year usually triggers the excitement of looking forward and planning for the next year, which isn’t bad at all. I do that all the time. Before the new year starts, I would get my journal and list all of the plans that I will do and the excitement I feel just writing about it. This issue is not about that. Today, I want to approach a new year differently by taking a step and look backwards to what this year was. Let’s go!
Disclaimer: Please take what resonates and leave what doesn't. I am not an expert, and I have been writing and sharing what I have learned and experienced in my personal journey to developing better habits.
Building Better Habits Update
#Project60 Progress
If you’re new, this is my 60-day project before 2024 to get a head start before the new year comes in. I did not do well with this project, yep there I said it. I stopped tracking few weeks ago after missing it for more than a week. I stopped, I failed.
Morning Routine
I stopped tracking this one but I think I did at least 80% of my mornings (read a page, journal, write my grateful list)
Evening Routine
Probably 60% completion. I stopped reading at night though, and this is something I will get back to.
Drink at least 4 liters of water daily
It was hard tracking this one but I think I never really reached 4 liters daily for 90% of the time but I’m sure I’ve always taken at least 2-3 liters (mostly 3) a day. And thats good!
Gym workout at 6am 4x a week
I never did 4x in a week since I started this project, but I have been doing 3x a week (which was my normal routine since May). I’ve skipped gym this week (christmas holidays) but I am keen to getting back this week.
Write 1 content/article daily
I did 25 articles in 60 days. Not even half, but not so bad either! I know it’s not even half of my goal, BUT I can’t believe I wrote 25 articles/content in the last 2 months??! That isn’t me! I am so proud of this!!!
In short, I failed in this project. In general, I probably accomplished 40-50% of all of it, and it will look like I failed. BUT I did not, I did not perfect it but I surely made a huge progress before 2024 starts, and I am pretty sure restarting all of it in January won’t be so hard since I’ve started getting comfortable in these routines. I’m sure I will not stop from continuing them, onwards. This project has been very helpful in kickstarting my 2024 building better habits.
What about you? How was your #Project60?
This Week’s Reflections
Preparing and planning for the next year is exciting and feels really good, but this time around I want to start with a year review to help me with how I want to navigate 2024. Here are the questions and guides I used to reflect on.
What went well in 2023? In terms of different categories, e.g., family, romantic relationship/marriage, work/career, social life, passion projects, play/adventure, travel, etc. (add/adjust according to your own choices)
What could have gone better in these same categories?
Using the two above, what do I want to do or accomplish next year? What are things I want to keep doing and what are things I need to stop or do less of?
Starting with these three questions, I think they will help you determine your 2024 plans a little bit better. Looking back to 2023 allows you to plan realistically. The categories help a lot because they allow you to specify things you want to improve in each category.
I did the above, and now I’m still looking at my 2024 plans because I want to cut the list and make it as short as possible because focus is my #1 problem all the time. I need to focus on a few goals or plans. I hope to share in the next issue how I planned for 2024 and the details about it. :)
How are you planning for 2024?
Quote/Inspiration for the week
"What makes life worth living? No child asks itself that question. To children life is self-evident. Life goes without saying: whether it is good or bad makes no difference. This is because children don't see the world, don't observe the world, don't contemplate the world, but are so deeply immersed in the world that they don't distinguish between it and their own selves." - Karl Ove Knausgard
Journal Prompt/s for Reflection
What are my major achievements & successes this year?
What are my lessons and learnings from my failures and mistakes?
Current Reads
My Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest - currently on Day 62
Before The Coffee gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi - halfway through! (havent touched for a month now)
Recommendations
Here’s a beautiful reminder from Brianna Wiest.
Love and Light
I hope you’re reminded today:
you did so well this year; take the moment to remember all of your achievements, successes, and your lessons.
everything that has happened this year, good or bad, happy or sad, big or small; brought you something so beautiful, it’s up to you how you want to see it.
life is more than a year’s highlights; life is being here, experiencing, living, feeling, fully. you’re here, alive, full, complete - and that’s the most important part of your year.
rooting for you,
rox