Hello, 2024!
Read on for my 2023 reflections and my 2024 goals + vision board.
REFLECTIONS
All I can say is 2023 was a WILD ride, ya’ll. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would move to Texas. And never in my wildest of wild dreams did I think we’d buy a HOUSE in Texas.
But with all the excitement and changes came challenges as well. Making friends as an adult (especially in a new city) was not easy. And the job hunt was absolutely brutal. And after FINALLY landing a job over the summer, I got laid off due to budget cuts after only a month.
I do feel like these challenges really did make me stronger. I really had to just put my trust in God and practice patience (not my strong suit), lean on Him, and trust that the right doors would open and know that everything happens for a reason. I made it a point to find the positives from these hardships and it really gave me a lot of motivation and inspiration.
There were plenty of blessings this year too: purchasing our first house and traveling to London and Copenhagen are two of the big ones that come to mind. I also felt more inspired and creative than I have in quite a while. And I had the luxury of TIME this year, which I took advantage of by creating and learning. And hey, even though making friends as an adult is hard, we ended up meeting some truly wonderful people and lately my heart has been feeling so full.
I heard a song recently called Seasons (new to me), and it’s about life’s different seasons and how sometimes we are in a time of waiting, and it may feel like forever but we just have to be patient and trust God’s timing. And that’s kind of how I felt this year – I was absolutely excited for our new adventure and we have had some amazing times this year, but there’s also a part of me that kind of felt like I was stuck waiting for the right door to open – especially in my career. I cant say I’ve been perfect at the waiting part but getting better. And I just have a feeling that 2024 is going to be the start of a brand new (and incredible) season.
Takeaways from 2023:
• Never say never (been saying this since our move abroad in 2018 and it has never been more true).
• Everything happens for a reason.
• Find the positives in even the hardest of situations. I promise they are there and that’s how your learn and grow.
Honestly I could go on and on. This year taught me so much, but those are some of the big ones.
GOALS
Some of my 2023 goals kinda went out the window with our unexpected move, but I feel proud of what I accomplished this year and feel like I’ve really grown in so many areas of my life – personally, creatively, and spiritually. With that – here’s a few goals for 2024:
travel goals // travel somewhere international (currently discussing Italy and Switzerland but who knows!), travel somewhere in the US (outside of Texas), explore new cities in Texas (Austin is at the top of my list).
health goals // stay consistent with my fitness routine. I got into a really good rhythm in 2023 and want to keep that up (and go even harder) in 2024.
creative goals // In 2023, I pushed myself harder than I have in quite a while when it came to the creative stuff – I watched tutorials to better myself at graphic design and video editing, I took on jobs and projects that constantly had me trying new things, and I made time to create stuff just for myself too. Manifesting that same energy and passion in 2024.
read more // it’s not that I don’t like reading, I just don’t make time for it. But recently I’ve started making the time, and I find it so relaxing (and refreshing not be be starting at a screen), so more books in 2024!
2024 is already looking very exciting, promising, and challenging…looks like we’re in for another crazy ride, and I cant wait to see how the year unfolds!
As always, thanks for following along, and I look forward to sharing many more adventures with you this year. Cheers!
– Courtney
hardys on holiday 