27/12/2023
Last post of 2023
These last days of the year are always a great opportunity to look back and reflect. The year 2023 had it all for me. I've seen years of personal transformation (2013) and of starting a nomadic lifestyle (2016), but in all honesty 2023 might have been the most enriching year in my life so far. I danced with life, and all of its aspects. Friendships all around the world, starting with me being my own best friend.
💪 Personal Development
At the beginning of the year I started a NLP Practicioner course. It was great to invest in myself like that and go through 18 amazing days of personal development through interacting with others. Even though most of it wasn't new p***e, the trainers and the group that we worked with definitely did lead me into new insights and things to consider for the future. Although I have no concrete plans to continue with NLP in 2024, there's still a chance that I will sign up for a follow up. Investing into ourselves should always be a priority.
🍻 Alcohol
After a second dryspell of around 4-5 years I started drinking again in early 2023. Just some wine and gin tonic; it wasn't until Thailand that I began drinking beer again. No regrets there whatsoever, but it did lead me to gain some kilo's again. Not sure if I'm willing to accept that. So to get rid of those before summer of 2024 should be another priority.
✈️ Workwise
With a change of manager and some changes in our team, the doors opened up for me to show what I can do and pour all my passion, creativity and dedication into it. We received an insane amount of new employees and for many of them, it's their first real job. As you can imagine, that comes with a few challenges here and there. I've tried my utmost best to stay true to myself and be kind and welcoming, but when people think they can make their own rules and go about their work day through lies and trickery, someone has to draw a line. As a Duty Manager, it's my duty to do exactly that. Some might argue I changed for worse, but I know I'm there for anyone who needs me, even if we had our differences in the past. This year I unlocked levels of drive and ambition within myself I didn't even know I had hidden within me, and now as a result, I'm nowhere near done growing in my career. Let's see how far I'll go in 2024.
🕺 Festivals
There was a time in my life when I went to all the raves and festivals, and let's just say that this summer might have topped it. Boom in Portugal, Ozora in Hungary and Own Spirit in Spain are just a few of the highlights of last summer. It was crazy, colorful, beautiful, fulfilling, exhausting and energizing all at the same time. Apart from all of the people I already knew, I got to meet so many new beautiful people too. People kept coming up to me to tell me how I was the party itself and how much positivity I was vibing. Many people wrote in my guestbook, that was often there with me in the front of the dance floor. Together with glitters and face paint, for anyone to use. Will 2024 be any less crazy? Probably not, as a certain someone doesn't take no for an answer.
🧭 Adventures
Apart from the festivals and some trips with Marta, my last proper solo adventure was a beautiful 2 month trip to India in 2019 / 2020. Knowing how rewarding and fulfilling such solo adventures can be, I started 2023 by planning for a new solo adventure. You've probably seen my Thailand pictures in November. Let's see if I have some days and coins to go on another solo adventure in 2024. Destination is yet to be decided.
🌐 Connection
Whether I go into my work day, a festival or walk into a Thai bar, I do so with an open mind and heart. Always on the look out for people to connect with. For a random smile, a short chat, a night out or dancing together for a week on end. The year 2023 was full with beautiful connections. Unfortunately Acchi and Daniel Zuur disconnected from the land of the living. I will honor their memory, their smile and their craziness. On and off the dance floor. In 2024 and beyond.
🇧🇷 End of Year
When I didn't make it last year, I agreed I'd go the next edition of Universo Paralello in Brazil. Normally that would be around new years of 2024/2025, but then they announced they would do one this year already. Thailand or not, I couldn't not-go. We don't know how many weeks / months / years we have left and besides, like I mentioned a certain someone doesn't take no for an answer. So, here I am, on the bus to a paralel universe. Signing off for 2023.
See you in 2024!!!
Love & Gratitude
🦄❤️🔥🚀
