2023 In Review

In life I'm a goal setter, it gives me something to work towards, stops me from going astray.

In 2023 I set a series of goals around things to do, to have, to experience, to become and to give.  

Sometimes I think maybe I've bitten off more than I can chew but in all honesty it definitely gives me another reason to get out of bed in the morning and get on with things, to keep pushing through.

So how did I go?  I managed to achieve two thirds of my goals.  Let's take a look.

To Do

Read 10 books. 👍👍👍

All in all I managed to read 19 books.  So, I absolutely smashed this goal. I've really found a love of reading since lock down that I want to continue to harness.  In fact I think I pretty much have enough books to get me through 2024 sitting on my side table waiting to go.

Complete 10 workouts each months. 👎👎👎

I failed at this one dismally, I really didn't do a lot when it come to regular exercise this past year.  I made a shift from walking goals to workout goals and it didn't really motivate me.  I think the ability to fail so early on set the tone for the whole year.  

I did have some great fitness outcomes, like completing the bloody long walk but consistency was definitely lacking.

Have a family day/night each quarter. 👍👍👍

This goal might sound silly but when you're kids are almost adults, with their own social lives and work commitments its a juggle to find time for the five of us to connect together.  We sit at the dinning table as often as possible for dinner but beyond that schedule is key.  The kids know this is important to me so they oblige. 

Some of the things we did included:

• Going to the drive in to see Avatar
• Night out in the city for dinner and to check out the Rise Festival
• Going to the Melbourne Show
• Day out in the city to see the David Attenborough exhibition.

To Have

Complete backyard renovation 👍👍

I'm giving this one the thumbs up, despite still having one bare garden bed.  But the backyard is officially finished.  We're just still at a loss as to what to do with the garden bed that lies behind the basketball ring.  But when the time is right we'll pop something there.

Improve finances, reduce mortgage by another $20,000 👎👎👎

Unfortunately, this goal didn't come to fruition.  I'm always working on ways to put a dent in the mortgage but with rate increases throughout the year and the current cost of living crisis, any additional funds have gone into combating the increase in 'absolutely everything' right now.

But that said I'm pretty grateful to be in a position to be able to absorb those increases, so that is a small win within itself.

Complete Lulu's scrap albums in preparation for her 18th birthday 👍👍👍

I'm giving myself a thumbs up on this goal.  I'm not there yet but the neither is the 31st December. lol.  I currently have a table set up in my bedroom where I can go and work on a page here and there.  3 albums each with six years of memories enclosed.  I'm currently working on 2023 and this will be done by the end of the year.

However, given Lulu still has another year of school I've decided to include memories up until the end of year 12, to ensure I capture graduation and other special milestones.  So, it will still be a work in progress.

To Experience

Have a girl's weekend away. 👍👍👍

I managed two this year, a summer weekender in Sorrento, which was fabulous, weather was superb, and the company was great too.

And then we managed to squeeze a weekend in Daylesford in too which was a little winter getaway.  Designed to do 'not much' we simply wandered through the shops, enjoyed a good meal and perhaps a little too much alcohol but it was just what we needed to break up the winter routines.

Interstate getaway 👎👎👎

I had grand plans this year to have a getaway, just Rod and I.  We had friends travelling in their caravan and it would have been a great opportunity to met them on the road to catch up and enjoy a mini break.  But alas time just got away on us.

To Become

Reach goal weight and maintain fitness. 👎👎👎

Given I didn't achieve my fitness goal it is not a surprise I did not reach my goal weight either. Loads of false starts, but nothing ever eventuated, this is definitely going to be a key focus for 2024.

 

To Give

Donate blood once a month. 👍

Who knew you can't actually give blood once a month?  Not me!  However, I have learnt you can do these every 12 weeks.  My first attempt at giving blood was disastrous due to no fault of my own.  Blood spurted everywhere and my blood was thrown out due to possible contamination.  Soon later I found out I was iron deficient and required an infusion.  So by the time I sorted all that out and with the requirement to wait twelve weeks between donations, I was able to squeeze three donations in and that I did.

Host a charity walk. 👍👍👍

Earlier in the year I hosted a charity walk, it was only a small group but I did manage to raise $300 for Furkids, which is the animal rescue where we adopted our two cats.  It was $12 for 12kms finishing at a pub for those who wanted a sip or nibble.  It was a fun day out and I was grateful to be able to give back.

Provide food service for The Big Umbrella each quarter. 👍

After participating in a support night with my employer I've enjoyed volunteering on a regular basis since.  We managed 3 out of 4 quarters this year.  We had all good intent in trying to squeeze another in before the end of the year but unfortunately it didn't come to fruition due to time constraints.

Crochet 5 blankets for St Kilda Mums. 👍👍👍

This year I completed the five blankets.  Whilst in previous years I've managed more it still felt good to drop off this bundle of blankets to the St Kilda Mum's charity last week.

I'm really proud of the things I achieved to help others, not so proud of the things I didn't do to help me.  I think on reflection I'm going to be little more selfish in 2024 when it comes to focusing on my own personal growth and success. There will always be room for giving, but I'm going to lead by being an example.

How was 2023 for you?  Are you prepared for 2024?