Happy (grey) New Year from Venice Beach!

Happy New Year / Bonne année / 新年快樂!

We’re just about getting to the halfway mark of this decade, and it’s unbelievable just how time flies. I still feel like it’s only 2021 or 2022, even though those years have long gone. Even 2023 is already over, and we’re on to another 12 months of adventure, learning, and growing.

2023 was the year of big changes, many which I didn’t expect to happen. I won’t get into some of them, but due to these changes, they created a lot of uncertainty and anxiety to the point that I’ve had a few rough months trying to get through it all. Things are a lot better now, as things have leveled off and stabilized. But I’ve also learned to accept the things I can’t control or change, and honestly, it’s been freeing and has helped with my anxiety. Therapy has definitely helped with all of this!

However, there were a lot of good changes, too. For one thing, I finally moved in with my partner! After almost two years, we decided to go forward and move in together just this past December. It’s a big step in our relationship, and I’m really happy all of this happened. We spent last month making our place nice and cozy, and it’s beginning to look like home. ❤

I also had good news at work this year: I finally got to telework! After over two years, I was able to work from home, and it’s drastically improved my work-life balance. I even bought a nice standing desk and made my “office” at home a comfortable one. No more need to commute, find parking, and share the office with a hundred other people…just as I like it!

Travel was decent in 2023: I had my international trip back to England and France in the springtime. I even got to visit Luxembourg for the first time! I celebrated my 30th birthday in Paris, and it was the perfect place to ring in three decades on Earth. I also did a lot of small, weekend trips in California with my partner and family, from central California to Catalina Island to Big Bear Lake. My adventures in Europe will be published this spring, along with my California trips throughout the summer and fall, so expect a TON of travel posts this year!

As you read this, I am taking my international trip for this year. I won’t give the destination away, but it’s to a place (or places) which have been on my bucket list for years. I’m super excited and ready for the adventure! I don’t have any other travel plans set in stone yet for the rest of the year, but I hope to do more domestic trips this year and to keep exploring!

With this new year, I thought I’d try my hand at setting some goals to accomplish. Not resolutions, per say, but some objectives to improve my life and happiness. Here they are:

  • Get back into running— I haven’t run for over a year now, and I miss it dearly. It’s such a good feeling going out for a run and the runner’s high afterwards. I plan to find some routes to get back into it, and I plan to run at least two to three times a week. Let’s get it!
  • Continue to practice sobriety— I had my last glass of alcohol this past August, and I’m intending to keep at it. I’ve struggled with moderation for years, and I want to make sure I can practice abstinence for as long as I can. I’m aiming for a year (and more)!
  • Find a way to manage my anxiety— I think the reason I drank was to temper my anxiety, and now that I’m choosing to stay sober, the next step is to find ways to manage my nerves. That’s what I’ll try to find out this year.
  • Read at least one book a month— That means 12 (new) books in 12 months. I actually succeeded last year, and I want to continue this streak this year. I’m also setting a “travel reading challenge,” in which I read books from various countries (e.g. Denmark, Uzbekistan, Vietnam…). Wish me luck!
  • Brush up on Mandarin and French— Admittedly, I’ve let my languages fall by the wayside over the years, to the point that I really struggle now (especially Mandarin, my first language). I especially want to get my speaking skills back to near-native level, so no more excuses!
  • Keep looking for jobs— I did many applications and interviews earlier last year, but nothing really came to fruition. I’ve been at my current job for almost four years now, and I’m ready to move on. I’m not giving up, and I’ll continue job hunting until I get an opportunity.

What are your goals for this year? Thanks for reading, and have a great year ahead!

— Rebecca

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Published by Rebecca

Blogger, world traveler, poet, foodie, part-time penguin. Welcome!

68 thoughts on “Happy New Year 2024!”

  1. I’m aiming to complete my BS degree this year.

    I feel ya on the alcohol/anxiety. I hope you find a way to relax and stay sober!!

    For your reading goal, do you use Goodreads? It’s great incentive!

    Wishing you abundant happiness in 2024!!

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    2. Best of luck on completing your BS degree; it’ll be worth it in the end! I don’t have Goodreads, but my partner (an avid reader) has been encouraging me to get one. Worth a shot! Happy 2024, and stay safe!

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  3. Happy New Year, Rebecca! This year, I would like to make some progress on my long term goal of visiting all 50 states. Can’t wait to find out where you’re headed for your first international trip of 2024. Practicing sobriety is a healthy goal – good for you! Will you use an app or take classes to improve your Mandarin and French? Whichever way, hope you have fun! Thanks for the reminder about accepting things that can’t be controlled or changed – so important for mental health. Safe travels!

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    1. Bonne année, Darlene! Visiting all 50 US states would be incredible; I’ve barely visited a quarter of them so far, so I hope you complete them all soon! I’m thinking of brushing up on my French and Mandarin by starting with watching series/short videos for listening comprehension, and then maybe finding language partners for speaking practice. We’ll see what this year brings!

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  6. Good luck with all your goals, Rebecca, and I respect your forthrightness and honesty. Look forward to reading about your trips to two of my most frequented countries and can’t wait to find out where you are right now. Happy New Year!

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  8. Happy New Year Rebecca 🥂 I should warn you – if you think the years are flying by at 30 years old, wait till you’re more than twice that age! The older you get, the faster they go …
    I’m really curious to know where you’re travelling right now, and also looking forward to reading more about last year’s trip to Europe. I’ll also follow with interest as you progress with your various goals for the year. You’ve set yourself some really positive challenges! My goals are fewer – to get more active, get more involved in the photography group I joined last year, and to continue to pursue as many opportunities to travel as possible, while I still can!

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    1. Thank you, Sarah! My travel posts on England and France will be up this March, so stay tuned! Your 2024 goals sound solid, especially with photography. Wishing you the best on achieving your goals this year! 👍

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  10. Happy New Year! For me a great start to the year with the birth of Sofía, my third grandchild. Will be meeting her soon on next trip to England. There will be other travels too but not decided yet!

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  11. Great goals, Rebecca! Looking forward to reading about your travels. Time flies incredibly fast, I try to live in the future. My only solid goal for this year is to go to China, I can’t stop myself from imagining our next trip to Nanjing

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  12. If you use The Storygraph to track your reading, they have an annual “Read the World” challenge where they choose 12 countries and you can check them off as you go ! It’s helpful to see what other people have read for certain countries and allowed me to learn about some new-to-me authors 🙂

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  17. Happy New Year, Rebecca! I wish you a more fulfilling year ahead, for personally and professionally. Like other readers, I’m really curious about the place(s) you’re traveling at the moment. Look forward to reading the stories!

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  18. Happy New Year! I hope you get to accomplish all these goals and more. I really want to pick up running– hopefully this year is the year, as I find myself getting a little winded climbing stairs these days, so I need to fix that sedentary lifestyle fast! If not, I plan to be more consistent with yoga at least and hike more often. Anyway, safe travel & congrats again on the big move.

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  22. Happy New Year!! That’s so wonderful to move in with your partner and create a home together. Hope 2024 is filled with lots of happiness and travels! Looking forward to reading more about your travels. Happy New Year!

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    1. Telework has been the best thing that’s happened to me in my career. My goals are a bit ambitious this year, but also doable, so we’ll have to see what happens! Have a wonderful 2024 ahead!

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  26. Happy New Year and all the best in your many endeavours! I wish you every success with your reading and language learning goals. Anxiety is a tough gig, I struggle with it too. I hope you’ll find a way to keep it in check. Congrats on the big move!

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    1. Thank you so much, Leighton! Anxiety comes and goes, and it’s all the more important to understand that it’s but a temporary feeling that does not need to control your life. I wish you a wonderful 2024 filled with more travels!

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  30. Pingback: 2023: My Year in Review – Rebecca Goes Rendezvous

  31. Happy New Year Rebecca! And congrats for this year’s milestones and great moments! I hope you’ll manage to find your dream job this year, and I’m sure you’ll crush your goals!For me, I’ll mostly be focusing on my physical and mental health, hoping to achieve some sort of consistent routine in this area! I’m starting it very slow but planning to build it up over the weeks! Have a wonderful 2024!

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    1. Thanks, Andy! It’s been great living with my partner so far 😊 I just got back from a trip, but already planning for the next one. Happy 2024 to you, too!

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  33. Happy New Year, Rebecca, and best of luck with practising sobriety. Though changing your relationship with alcohol comes with challenges, the journey can be an incredibly rewarding one. I wasn’t a big alcohol drinker before, but when I became pregnant 9 years ago, I gave up drinking completely and vowed never to go back to it. I have to say that it was the best gift I could give myself as my health and perspectives completely transformed. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx

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    1. That’s incredible! Alcohol is a tricky substance to manage, and many times, it ends up managing us. While I’m sad to be giving up wine, it’s for the best not just for my health, but also for my happiness. I hope to continue sobriety for as long as you have!

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