As I delve into the pages of Shonda Rhimes “Year of Yes”, my first read of 2024, I find myself pausing to recount the valuable lessons from my transformative and memorable 2023. And this post is my 2023’s reflections.
Achievements and milestones
This year has been marked by significant milestones, particularly the completion of my Brand Management master course with distinction served as one of the most fulfilling achievements of my 2023. After a decade in the workforce, dedicating myself to academic pursuits was a challenge that I embraced, earning recognition for my efforts, a feat that had eluded me in the past.
Spending the whole 2023 on academic pursuit, however, beyond the academic accolades, the true essence of my 2023 lies in understanding myself, the realising the value of giving my best effort, even when it demands 200-300% of my attempt. The challenges faced during my first year in the UK have become a wellspring of inspiration, fueling my courage to confront any future hurdles. As I navigate the terrain of life, I draw strength from the resilience cultivated during my postgraduate journey, ready to fearlessly conquer whatever challenges lie ahead.
A lesson learnt about self-growing: we can always rectify the past’s failures by consistently learning and placing personal development as a top priority.
Career
Reflecting on my career journey, my last office job in a major real estate group was back in 2020. The past four years (time has swiftly passed) were marked by various challenges, akin to storms (even thunderstorms), establishing E.dep, and working my graphic design job as a freelancer, I had more time to learn and experience, I know I am not able to work solely as a graphic designer, I can create and work for my brand, I can marketing and cook, and I realise I pretty like creating content and sharing, although ups and downs are always coming together, and so true with happiness and pains. However, I learned that establishing and managing a business is a real real real challenge, we will never feel ok although everyday I always ask myself, will today be fine? And of course, this scenario never happens and only resilient and persistent people can win the game. After all, I’ve become more calm and conscious in decision-making, I learn to make a progress I have to go slowly and firmly, and really have to investigate every single thing and I can’t do everything alone. This skill set also equips me for the upcoming chapter with confidence despite the ongoing challenges in every single step, I know.
My life
During 2023, I moved houses three times, and the last time, amid my dissertation deadline, I made a somewhat impulsive decision to move from Cambridge to London without physically inspecting it. Despite this being one of my most challenging experiences, I am living with one of the most compassionate individuals, I have met in the UK, which prompted me to extend my stay until my next move – whether it be for career prospects or a return to Vietnam. This journey made me realize that the significance of where you reside isn’t solely determined by the physical location. And it is firmly proved by my current workplace, at the end of 2024, I landed a job in a renowned restaurant brand and it promises to give me valuable experience in building an F&B brand in my brand specialist career. Everybody there is a great host with a high hospitality spirit, a professional branding and I am expected to conclude this internship with the submission of a brand report. It sounds like a big thing, let’s see what I can do with it.
Health and self-care
Honestly, I didn’t give myself much attention in terms of health and well-being last year, and admitting it now feels a bit guilty. Juggling studies, a hectic job and life’s unpredictable twists didn’t leave me with much “me time”. However, there was a silver lining amidst the chaos – I managed to stick to my gym routine three to five times per week, went for runs, and tried to eat healthily whenever I could. Even with the hustle, I successfully prepared three meals a day before heading to classes or work.
On the flip side, my eating habits got a bit tangled up with my emotional rollercoaster, especially late-night munching which left me feeling guilty the next day. So, for 2024, I’ve decided to tackle this bad habit head-on. No strict diets for me; I’m focusing on eating a healthy and plant-based diet, cutting down on sugar, avoiding unnecessary stress, and bidding farewell to those midnight meals.
In terms of emotion, homesickness sometimes hits hard, It’s always a bit of a half-and-half decision, a constant battle of whether to stay or return, and I’ve had my vulnerable moments – like that time I called my parents and shed a few tears in the gym changing room. haha. not my finest moment and I don’t plan on doing that again. In 2024, my goal is to be stronger, more organised and better at managing my emotions.
Family and love
If there is anything else on my mind, It is family and love. I wish I had considered this earlier, but now, I feel prepared for it. It is a new feeling for me. I always ignored every time love crossed my mind before, I had a long list of incomplete tasks but love. I never felt ready because I thought I needed more savings (truth to be told, I spent a decade saving for my postgraduate degree and now I’m broke), I wasn’t thin enough, my projects weren’t finished – all excuses rooted in my insecurities – I was not deserved to be happy. Even though these concerns still linger, I’m ready now simply because I understand myself better, I keep telling myself, that I deserve the best, to be happy and healthy.
In summary, here are the lessons I learned in 2023:
Lesson 1: Always have a backup plan and explore multiple options before making decisions. Whether it’s choosing a new house or a new job, having alternatives prevents potential problems, especially when dealing with the instability of factors like your home and family, providing oneself with numerous options ensures the ability to make the best and most appropriate decisions. This lesson will guide my approach to job applications in 2024, urging me to be more proactive and thorough in my choices.
Lesson 2: Time and energy should not be dedicated solely to one thing. While focus is crucial, spending the entire year on a single pursuit can limit opportunities for a better job, a sooner website launch, and broader travel experiences. In 2023, my intense focus on studying for distinction compromised my health and joy. The lesson learned is to allocate time daily for job searches, skill development, and personal fulfilment, fostering a more balanced and satisfying life.
Lesson 3: Consistency is key. Success in significant endeavours requires daily, small efforts. Building a successful brand or achieving a substantial social media following, for instance, demands consistent daily dedication. While challenging, this lesson underscores the importance of persistence in achieving long-term goals.
Lesson 4: Be focused and assertive in pursuing dreams. Life offers numerous options, but success often requires choosing one and giving it your best effort. Hesitation can lead to missed opportunities. Regrets from past decisions, such as leaving E.dep and my house due to stress, emphasize the need for focus and determination. The goal now is to move forward and give my best to rectify those decisions, focusing on finding a stable job and financial situation for a happier life.
Lesson 5: Prioritize happiness and health. While aspiring for ambitious dreams, the ultimate goal is personal happiness, doing a job one loves, and having a family. Balancing efforts to achieve long-term goals with maintaining health and personal well-being is crucial. The realization is that life should not be sacrificed for success, and prioritizing happiness and health is essential, regardless of the challenges faced.
Reflecting on 2023 and looking into 2024, the desire to make different decisions, especially staying with E.dep, lingers. Despite not being able to reverse time, the focus is on moving forward, growing, and learning life’s significant lessons—consistency and determination in making big decisions. The UK postgraduate experience had its ups and downs, but the overall takeaway is positive, emphasizing personal growth and the importance of staying consistent in life’s journey.