srettig24 
2023 Let’s Take a Little Time to Reflect
Last year, wow! I can’t believe that I am already making goals for 2024. It feels as though 2023 flew away faster than I could comprehend. Somehow- I was able to reach all my goals last year, I almost don’t know how that happened. This year to reflect on the last year I have decided to look through my old journal from the last year and to look at all the photos that I have taken in the last year. There are several things that stick out to me as big moments in the last year- you might feel the same. Think about what you have overcame in the last year, your growth in different areas of your life. Feel proud and grateful for what your body and mind has been able to accomplish, and use that to empower and motivate yourself for 2024!
Predictions for 2024
Since the world is currently an echo chamber I’m just going to get this one out of the way first and easy. EXTREME WEATHER, it’s going to happen. The Farmers Almanac promising warm temperatures this year. This year is the year of the Dragon, which symbolizes power, nobleness, honor, luck, and success. The Economist published a video on 5 top stories to look out for in 2024, if you want to check that out! More people are feeling optimistic about 2024, and the world is going to see some big changes according to Ipsos.
Resolution 1. Learn to Cook… Well cook better.
Okay, so I can cook. I don’t typically burn anything, and everything is edible. However, nothing I make is particularly memorable. I have access to some of the best, freshest ingredients, and what have I been doing with them? Oh, right. Making mediocre meals honestly- they deserve better. I even have forgiving and open-minded victims who will eat whatever I make! *News flash* I am going to be eating and cooking for the rest of my life, I think it’s time to invest some energy and skill into making food- people (including myself) are begging for!
Resolution 2: Book Club
I had been throwing this idea around for years. I love reading, and make an effort to at least one book a month. There is very, very little that I miss about being in an academic setting. However, group discussions about something that I really miss. The nerd in me just wants to sit around with a bunch of other nerds and just talk about what we have learned, what we want to learn, and how passionate we are about well everything.
I also have had the chance to meet so many amazing women from all over the world. Sometimes, I daydream about having a party and all of them meeting, but then I realize that I can connect them all together remotely! I hope to bring a group of ladies together to read one book a month for the next year! Wish us luck!!
Resolution 3. Vipassana
I try to explore a new religion and ideology as much as I possibly can. In the past, I was doing this because I was searching for something. Over time I have realized that I overlooked how important looking from within is. This year I want to try Vipassana which was something I learned about when I was in India to become a Yoga teacher. Vipassana is a practice first done by the Buddha and is a form of mindful meditation where you observe yourself without judgement. Taking place over 10 days, Vipassana is often done in a retreat center setting where the participant is completely silent and meditates each day. I am excited for this challenge no doubt it will be difficult but worth the insight and growth that is bound to occur!
Resolution 4: Skiing!
Skiing was a huge passion of mine for a long time basically until I moved to the Sahara desert. I fully expected to jump right back into skiing as soon as possible but have left the sport for a good while. I recently bought some new gear and am excited to hit the slopes once again and shred the Nar! I can’t wait for those icy mornings seeing my breath as I take the chair lift, or cruising through the trees after buckets of snow.
