Hello 2024…

February 1st signaled the beginning of the new year for me (IYKYK). I was finally finished with my end of term assignments, changed my hair and was ready to experience all the amazing things coming my way this year. 2024 just seems like it’s going to be exciting. I’m not sure if it is because I’m turning a milestone age (Cue Jenna Rink wanting to be “thirty, flirty and thriving”), my upcoming European travel plans or because I’ll be done with grad school… there’s something in the air and I am definitely trying to take it all in. However, before we even get into all of that, I have to acknowledge how necessary 2023 was. Let’s recap, shall we:

1. Navigated Corporate Life

When I tell you I really learned a lot about corporate life last year, believe me. January 2023, I felt more undervalued and unappreciated than ever. In short, I was told that I would receive a promotion after a 3-6 month period of an extensive expansion in my role. After successfully completing this 6 month period, I was then told that I would have to wait an additional 3-4 months for the promotion to happen. In addition to this, I was also told that I wouldn’t be able to achieve managerial status for another 2 years despite my current tasks being manager level work. Needless to say, when I resigned in July I still had not received the promotion. During this time, I realized that there was nothing left for me to prove. I did my best and the organization thrived because of my contributions. Unfortunately, that’s the reality for many people working in the corporate environment, so please don’t stress yourself out about a job. You have to value yourself, your growth and your time and find the balance that works for you.

2. Ticked Some Things Off My 30 By 30 List

Do you remember the 30 Things To Do By 30 list I made a few years ago? Well, I can happily say that last year was a great year for the list because I was able to tick 5 things off! I traveled quite a bit in 2023 and my trip to New York was something special. I saw Drake – literally Aubrey Graham in concert and OMG I was living! It was honestly so surreal to see him right in front of me, rapping the lyrics to Marvin’s Room, Take A Shot For Me, Jungle, Over, Nice For What, Spin Bout You and so much more. Of course, I could not visit New York without seeing the iconic locations Gossip Girl was filmed and trying a restaurant featured in Sex and the City. I visited Grand Central Station where Serena was first spotted, sat on The MET steps as Blair and her minions did and took a stroll through Central Park to find the exact spot where Blair and Chuck got married. I also enjoyed the most delicious peach pudding from Magnolia Bakery and got a cupcake to try just like Carrie and Miranda did. It’s really so refreshing to set a goal, no matter how small it may seem and see yourself accomplish it.

3. Moved To The UK

Last September, I moved to England to begin my postgraduate degree (something that I have been wanting to do for years) and what a change this has been. From the very moment I landed, I knew that my time here would be completely different than living in The Bahamas. At baggage collection, I was looking for someone to get my bags for me and to my surprise there was no one, only machines to rent a trolley (in other words, “Get your own bags”) and oh goodness the independence hit me hard. Making the transition from full time employee to full time student in another country alone has been an enlightening experience. The diversity in culture, people, languages and food has been eye opening and I do believe that experiencing this in the last year of my twenties is going to prove to be so important. Ugh, but I have never been so domestic in my life. All this cooking, cleaning and literally doing everything for myself has been exhausting. Is this what living alone is really like?

As you can see 2023 was a memorable year for me and while there were definitely some lows, there were so many highs and I’m so grateful for that. Come on 2024, let’s do this!