2023: Annual Reflections Part 1.

I keep telling myself to write yearly annual reflections for 4 days now (writing this at January 4th and not Dec 31st) but I betrayed my own words. Last year I put a placeholder and told myself to write once I had the time only to skip the errand and finally gave up the idea of writing reflections if the moment had gone long enough for me to remember the details. I've just re-read my 2021 reflections and tbh it feels heavenly to acknowledge my own growth.

So this year I'm keeping my pinky promise so my future self would re-live this moment.

Hello older Bethari, this one's for you. Prompts are from here.

1. Describe the year of 2023, how was it for you?

Wow. I love talking about this. I've said it in many platforms but I'm saying it again. My 2023 motto is "No plans, only options" and wow oh wow I've got so (too) many options nearing EoY. The year is all about UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES!!! I started the year unsure of my own resolutions... guess what? I didn't even make one for myself. And guess what?? I think this year just DELIVERS.

• I didn't plan to buy a property; I ended up buying my current 2BR little space in lovely Cisauk on Aug 2023.  
• I only planned to go to Nepal (and maybe Philippines - I've bought the ticket via Mas Angger since 2022) starting 2022 but turned out I travelled to 6 countries alone (Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Hongkong, and Macau) this year!! And 5 of them were new countries!!!! Crazy????!!?!
• I didn't plan to study further career at yoga turned out I signed up for a 0-hr YTT coming on Jan-Feb 2024. 
• I didn't set any career goals this year... yet I received Future CEO award at SPM Annual Conference, got Best Supplier at Ranch Recognition Award, and ending the year with Klub Juara at H2 2023. Wild wild career ride.
• I didn't plan to pursue master's anytime soon... but life gave me surprises over surprises that by the end of 2024... I've taken my IELTS test, on the way to craft my essays, and plan to apply for SIPA MPA-DP for Fall 2024. Life is so... funny? 
• I've always wanted to dye my hair pink and blue and get my ears pierced not only one or two or three... IT'S FIVE. 

I think the list could go on for pages but these are what have been the highlights of this year.

2. Who have you become this year?

I have spent the past several minutes thinking about the best to answer this but I still can't come to conclusion... It's been an utmost privilege to realize that I am just so comfortable with myself that I could confidently say I.... become myself this year. I am asserting my needs, feelings, and concerns to the table for others to consider. No sugarcoating. No masks. I have always been and will always be me. And this confidence alone has gone me far. I am acknowledging my worth, attracting what I want/need, reclaiming my energy, radiating warmth and hope like I always do. Authenticity is truly a magnet.

3. What have you learnt about yourself this year?

I am a strong, kind, beautiful lady and worthy of all the love in the world and I respect myself by walking away from whoever who doesn't value me and my quirks. To be able to attain this level of self-esteem and confidence is a long winding journey and I won't let anybody makes me beg for any bare minimum only to fill in my empty glass.

4. What made your heart and soul happy this year?

All of my travelling days... no doubt. This year I embody the only animal I'd think about when describing myself: a bird. I would even carve "Kalingga" (Sanskrit version of bird) as tattoo if only Islam'd let me.

Describe 3 of your best memories from this year!
What do you want to leave in 2023 and head into 2024 free from?
If you had to choose one word for the year 2023, what would it be and why?