Did 2023 suck?

2023 was a really hard year.  

I found myself thinking this throughout December as 2024 approached.  I couldn’t wait for midnight on the 31st to leave 2023 behind.  

But as Christmas came and went, I began to reflect more on the year.  I found that I could make a choice.  I could carry the negative sentiments associated with 2023 with me and write the year off as a whole, or I could pause and think about the good things that happened.

I needed to rewrite the narrative I was reciting in my head every day.

On a ride back to Philadelphia from a visit with my grandparents, I reviewed the year in my head but only focused on the good things. 

Here are a few of my highlights from 2023:

• Celebrated the ten-year anniversary of coming out of the closet

• Visited Europe 3 times (Ireland, France, Portugal, Switzerland)

• Celebrated 7 years of marriage and 10 years together with my husband 

• Started Eudaemonia Counseling & Consulting with my partner in crime, Jen

• Spent a ton of quality time with my mom

• Grew out my hair like I’ve always wanted.  And then cut it all off.

• I saw 4 Broadway shows and Ed Sheeran in concert with my siblings and our spouses

• Started my doctoral program and ended my first semester with a 4.0 GPA

• Fulfilled a childhood dream of buying a piano (and learned to play 3 full songs)

• Spent so much quality time with our nephews and godchildren (time with them makes everything better)

The list goes on, and I have spent a few minutes each day reading it.  It has completely changed my mood and allowed me to look back on 2023 with immense gratitude.  

Two of my favorite musical artists have said it best:

“Two things can both be true at the same time.”  - Ben Abraham

“Is there a word for the way I’m feeling tonight?  Happy and sad at the same time.” 

- Kacey Musgraves

This is what I’ve learned in 2023.  Amid pain and challenge, there is beauty.  Gratitude can exist alongside sadness.  We can feel two things at the same time.

My closest friends and I choose a word for the upcoming year rather than a resolution every year.  This year, my word is present.  That’s it.  I just want to be present in my life.  Present with my family.  Present in the joy of each day.

Wishing everyone a happy new year, and hoping that you are able to reflect on the year and the good things that happened, no matter how small they may seem.