Time flies, doesn’t it? It’s been a few weeks since I last checked in, and here I am, once again, typing away in a café in Seoul. There’s something about this place that just clicks with me – it’s hard to put into words, but I feel such a sense of calm and peace here. Quick heads up: by the time you’re reading this, I’ll have swapped city vibes for the rugged beauty of Jeju, sipping something warm as I watch the winter waves. Just so you know, this isn’t a love letter to Korea (though it could be), but more of a reflective look back at everything 2024 has thrown my way.
It’s wild how quickly the last few months have zipped past. Work’s been a whirlwind, leaving little room for personal downtime, and I’ve been unintentionally MIA from my social circle. It’s not that I’ve been avoiding chats; there just haven’t been enough hours in the day, or energy left in me, to reach out. It’s a bit of a bummer when your job starts to overshadow everything else. I’m not going to dwell on the work stuff right now, though – there’s plenty to sort out there, and I’m well aware of it.
This year’s been a rollercoaster, packed with highs, lows, and plenty of learning curves. Sure, on the surface, it might not seem like a lot went down – aside from launching this blog and connecting with an incredible person a world away. But let’s get real, some pretty significant stuff did go down. I nailed my Master’s, leveled up at work, had some intriguing dates, and crossed paths with fellow travel enthusiasts, forging some truly meaningful bonds. I set foot in Asia for the first time, quickly fell head over heels for a couple of countries, and found myself returning sooner than expected. On top of that, I rebooted my health journey and actually saw some progress.
But let’s not sugarcoat it – the year wasn’t just a highlight reel. I had my fair share of tough patches, grappling with endo issues and my overall well-being. A quick scroll through my past posts will show you that my life’s far from flawless. But then again, who’s is? Instead of dwelling on the specifics, I’d rather share the self-discoveries and the moments that added some real colour to my year.
This year, I made a conscious effort to cut myself some slack. When you’ve battled with self-image for ages, it’s almost second nature to be your own toughest critic, particularly with things like exercise and diet. To be totally upfront, I still wrestle with this. On days when the gym feels like a mountain too high, or when my appetite doesn’t quite align with my calorie goals, I can be pretty hard on myself. Logically, I get that it’s not a big deal to deviate from the plan now and then. But, as always, it’s a mental game. So, I’ve been working on shifting my perspective, challenging myself to ease up. And you know what? It’s slowly getting easier to treat myself with a little more kindness. Sure, it’s a bumpy ride, but I’m on the path to a gentler self-relationship. We’ll make it there, step by step.
This year has been a big one for friendships. I’ve crossed paths with all kinds of new folks – some connections have deepened, while others were just right for a season. The more I travel and meet new people, the more I sense that we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be. Take, for instance, the Aussie girl I met in Tokyo. It felt like fate that we’d share stories, ramen, and dessert together. It’s as if the universe knew we’d click and that we’d both benefit from this friendship more than we initially realised. Then there’s the catch-ups and girl dates with my lavender friend; we might not chat every week, but that’s okay. I have this gut feeling that each person I meet is meant to enter my life for a reason, at just the right moment.
In a nutshell, this year’s been a tough cookie, but it’s had its sweet moments too. Now, circling back to my current Korean escapade – I’m here for the Christmas holidays, and for the first time, being away from home doesn’t feel lonely. I’m not itching for constant solitude either. So, what’s the deal with this place? Well, that’s something we’re both going to have to ponder. 🙂
I really hope your year’s been brimming with smiles, good laughs, a dash of joy, and perhaps a couple of valuable life lessons along the way. Here’s to stepping into the new year with a sense of adventure and open arms for whatever twists and turns life throws our way.
matcha latte on a rainy night 