It’s The End Of 2023…

 

“Time is infinite.
I am infinite.
I can. I want to. I get to.
NOT “I have to”. You don’t have to do anything.
I’ve created this reality. Things are not working forward. They’re working backwards to help you get what you want.”

I wrote that on 27 Dec 2023, in Ubud, after a really insightful, soul-deep conversation with some friends I’d met just days before. We connected over Human Design and the meaning of life.

In a bid to keep up with my yearly tradition of recapping each year, I’m piecing together the bits and pieces of private journalling I’d done, reflecting on the end of 2023. In fact, I’ve been diligently penning my thoughts; I just never shared them publicly as my thoughts, like the dust particles in the air, are always ricocheting in all directions that it’s sometimes hard to make sense of it.

Truth be told, I’ve done A LOT of journalling being in Bali from Dec 2023 to Jan 2024, a fraction of which I’m sharing here now, for Bel Around The World.

It might give you a glimpse of what I am outside of that “online personality”. And maybe, just maybe, it might inspire you to be a better version of yourself.

I’ve been documenting my thoughts in bite-sized pieces on Instagram, but alas, we all know how unreliable the platform is. You never know when Meta may take it away from you overnight.

Doing that is a lazy way of sharing my thoughts since I can micro-journal as Instagram captions. But it doesn’t provide the best experience for referring back to them at a later time. It’s difficult to scroll back to my captions, like I’m doing now, to piece my thoughts together. I’ve done the hard work, so you don’t have to.

If you’d like the TLDR version of this post coupled with a video, you can view the Instagram post here. Here’s what I said:

16 countries, 3 new countries – Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, England, Ireland (new), Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Switzerland, Amsterdam, Iceland (new), Italy, UAE (new), Malaysia, Philippines, Japan

I surprise myself at the number of countries I’ve been, despite telling myself I wanted to slow down, which I did. To be fair, I did 20 countries in 2022 🤪

I spent 5 months back home, which is considerably more than 2022 (5 days) or 2021 (0 days) 🤪

My heart is full looking back at all who made my 2023, and the collaborations I’ve done for my travel blog, SEO coaching and as a speaker.

I finally got the ACL surgery outta the way, which was bugging me for a full year and affected me and my sense of adventure greatly.

2023 was composed of nurturing deeper friendships, valuing time with family more, learning more deeply about myself, getting deeper into health and fitness, learning to loosen the reigns around my business and entrusting my team more, and craving routine more and more.

This is only the tip of the iceberg from my year end reflections, will share more on the 2024 outlook in the next post! ✨

Here’s another quick summary of my favourite 2023 moments from this Instagram post:

Going to my first ever music festival at Ultra Croatia until the sun rose
Visiting Iceland for the first time
Seeing an active volcano spewing lava 🌋
Living on a boat in Croatia
Speaking at Bansko Nomad Fest and Ahrefs Singapore SEO Summit
Spending 3 months in Bali nurturing health, fitness, heart and relationships
Recovering at the gym with my parents post-surgery

Trips In 2023 By Month

1 – Bali
2 – Bali
3 – Vietnam, Singapore
4 – Singapore
5 – Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket
6 – London, Ireland, Bansko
7 – Bansko, Croatia, Morzine, Switzerland, Amsterdam, Iceland
8 – Italy, Dubai, Singapore, Tioman
9 – Singapore, Manila
10 – Singapore, Japan
11- Chiang Mai, Singapore
12 – Bali

Total countries: 16

Total new countries: 3 (Ireland, Iceland, UAE)

How did the year feel overall?

Speaker for – Bansko Nomad Fest, Ahrefs summit – still managing to speak at 2 events despite health

Realizing I want more than ever to have a base, cat. 

Wanting to slow down yet travelling to 16 countries outside of home. I no longer want to travel as much and instead, focus more on growing my business.

The lesson of saying yes to spontaneous trips resulted in misleading the ones who took me on those trips (Iceland, Ireland)

Learning to make peace with SG and enjoy time there, nurturing old friendships (realising so many of them are past 10 years!). I spent 5 months back home, which is considerably more than 2022 (5 days) or 2021 (0 days) 🤪

Stayed in 1 spot (Bali) for 3 months, which is… progress? 😅

2023 – what are the first things I see?

1. ACL surgery, navigating through pain in knees

2. Spending more time with parents, exercising together

3. That fallout with O

4. The beautiful times with J in the first 2 months of Bali

5. Rejection by the 2 men I liked and pursued, M and T. This is new to me because I’ve only started feeling more confident about myself enough to pursue the people I like at the end of 2022. Where I used to think that a relationship should be initiated by men (as it has traditionally been), I now want to have a say in my own destiny and happiness.

I’ve learned that I am good enough to uphold standards in who I choose to be with. I’m strong enough to feel that, in pursuing and being rejected, this rejection is not representative of my personal character.

Hats off to all the men who’re still relentless in pursuing the girl of their dreams!

What am I celebrating myself for?

Finally doing that ACL surgery I postponed a year, no longer having to think about pain and caution every time i want to do something active.

Learning to take joy in the little things – Being alive, still being able to walk, run, surf, bike rides

Knowing when I feel unhappy and taking action to make that change

I realise I may not be whole with myself and I’m working on giving myself the love I deserve

Highlights/ accomplishments/ moments of fulfilment

Happiest times in Jan and Feb of Bali.

Having a freediving level 2 AIDA cert.

Loving having my own apartment in Bansko Bulgaria, surrounded by lovely friends and nomads.

Being able to still consistently put out content.

Speaking on stage at Bansko Nomad Fest and Ahrefs Singapore SEO Summit, for nomad and SEO peeps.

Iceland road trip, seeing an erupting volcano for the first time!

Taking my parents on a trip

Challenges I overcame

Being maimed not once, but twice. Being forced to slow down.

Rejection by T

Dealing with O

What am I thankful for?

I initially, like many of us, didn’t think much about keeping a gratitude list. Sure, I can be silently grateful about things. But ever since I started actually physically writing up a list in my journal on 12 October 2022, I’ve noticed a paradigm shift. 

I was complaining less about trivial things.
I was more easygoing when things didn’t go according to plan.
I was feeling lighter, and happier with the simple joys, like good weather, food on my table, and a roof under my head.

A lot of things can go wrong in life – the water pipe bursting, the food being too salty, not earning enough, peers outperforming you, a late delivery, but in the grand scheme of things, there are more things to be grateful for. And we live life with a heart of gratitude, we notice even more beauty in our life.

And when we come from a place of abundance, life becomes more abundant to us. 

1. My parents for taking care of me when I’m down, knowing family will always be a constant, supportive parents, healthy parents, functioning family

2. Friends that have stood alongside me, to be a listening ear

3. People who tell me that I’ve positively impacted their lives through my content/ have inspired them

4. Still looking attractive and desired – I was just imagining if, instead of an ACL injury, I got into a worse accident that may have disfigured me or cause permanent damage.

5. My team for working alongside me

How did my mindset change this year?

1. Learned to enjoy being in SG (this is in stark contrast to my badmouthing Singapore in the video below:)

2. Slowing down

3. Being more cautious and less reckless – this is in response to my physical injury, where the obvious lesson came in plain sight – our bodies are not infallible, one misstep and permanent damage may be done.

Biggest shift/ transformation?

Craving and seeking routine, stability

How did I show up for myself?

Facing the emotions, feeling them, accepting the hard emotions, and actively processing them.

Taking the step to care for my body

Where am I not in alignment? What do I have to change/ do better?

The constant moving around. Despite telling everyone and myself I wanted to slow down, I still say yes to spontaneous trips which halted my progress with myself and my business.

Allowing the company to choose me instead of me choosing it. Allowing energies that are not good for me to surround me and affect me. Saying yes to T and O. Realising I ought to be more selective with who/ what I say yes to.

Feeling like I have to prove myself to people.

Not listening to myself, nor my intuition. Letting the daily grind drown my own voice.

The language that we use, the thoughts that occupy our minds, they make up our life. We have around 60,000 thoughts per day—and 90% of these are repetitive. They’re going to affect your outlook, how you view things, and what you attract and repel. 

I came across this article that suggests a few ways to be more self-aware. Meditation and journalling are ways I approach this. Pausing before retaliating is another way I check in with myself before retorting with the first thought in my mind.

What (limiting) beliefs I had in terms of change/ growth/ achievements

That at the age of 30, I should be on the supposed path – be in a committed relationship, have a good income, a plan for the future.

What did I learn about myself?

RS – I need to be able to talk in-depth to learn more about myself and connect with myself

Health/ wellness – the best version of myself happens when I push my body, and feel fit and healthy. Happier, alive, energetic.

Career – excited by collaboration, having accountability, motivated by people who’re crushing it. Wanting to surround myself with people like that – disciplined, motivated, focused.

Purpose/ spirituality/ meaning – only when I’m in tune with myself do I feel alive.

Where can I feel more loving to myself?

To be ok with not knowing everything, not having all the answers, not being where I want to be with business, relationships, and purpose.

Knowing that time takes its own course, what’s meant to be will eventually be. There’s no need to rush and pressure myself into getting it.

On people pleasing, I have to accept that I will not be liked by everyone. I owe it to myself to not get stepped on. I should voice out when someone makes me feel uncomfortable/ less than myself/ unworthy.

What version of myself do I want to let go of that doesn’t serve me?

Negativity

Keeping busy for the sake of keeping busy. Instead, be more intentional.

Feeling all over the place and overwhelmed

What is my word/ theme for 2024?

Balance. Intuition.

How will I do that?

Journal, meditate, yoga, nature, slow down, giving myself time to be with myself.

What do I want to invite in 2024?

Kindness. Patience. Nature time. Slow down.

Do what excites me rather than what is “right/ supposed to be” for me

RS – Nurture deeper rs

Health/ wellness – be more aware of what I put in my body. Keep active. Do not take that body for granted. Push my physical limits.

Fun – pushing personal records, whether that be freediving or learning a new hobby

Purpose/ spirituality/ meaning – try out hypnotherapy, psycho-kinesiology, discover my inner self

Things I feel energized/ excited doing that I’d like to maximize/ magnify/ monetize in 2024

Home base

Renting out to get passive income

My own place

Interior design

What accomplishments would be most fulfilling? How can I plan to make them happen?

$200k/ $16k months – why do I want that? To feel successful, proud of myself 

Having my own place/ pets – why? I want stability and structure

More recognition – why? Validation for the work I’ve put out

Breaking personal records/ limiting beliefs – why? Personal fulfilment

Challenges I see on the horizon and how to prepare for them?

Getting influenced by easy pleasures and detracting from my main goals

Getting lost in the hustle

Doing something that’s already saturated – figure out how to stand out and be ME

How will I shift my mindset?

Trust my intuition/ gut – where I get the excitement and fear from. Reminding myself that I’m not meant to be on a conventional path.

Be more intentional, plan ahead.

How will my rs/ health/ work life look and feel like in 2024?

RS – to be in a committed, loving, gentle, trusting relationship, lifting and pushing each other up

HEALTH – the best version of me, via yoga, fitness, food (less sugar, alcohol, more fruits, veg)

WORK – serving others, putting my best foot forward for others

What do I naturally offer and want to bring out in those around me?

Intuition, listening to my gut, for the answers lie within us

Adventure, fearlessness, discovering the beauty of simplicity/ nature

Things I don’t love doing that I currently do often?

Netflix, Social media

Late mornings

Wasting time (or is this called taking time out for myself?)

Screen time first and last thing before i sleep, despite turning all notifications off after 10pm. Anyone’s got a better solution for keeping away easy distractions?

Being a people pleaser, and hence doing/ saying things for fear of offending. 

Being not good enough

Can I take steps to minimize these?

Eat less/ earlier dinner

Go to bed earlier

Have a book and journal beside my bed

Spend 5 minutes meditating before sleep and after i wake up

Set an alarm earlier knowing I like to snooze

Have a list of things to do the next day the day before

Learn to say no more often

One thing I want to learn in 2024

Email marketing? Podcasting? Community management?

What is 1 small shift I can do today to be a better version of myself tomorrow?

Give without expecting in return. Kindness. Make someone’s day a better day today.

What are 3 simple activities that pour joy into my life? How can i do more of them?

Surfing
Road trips
Cuddles
Sunset and the beach
Freediving
Cats – pet sit? Adopt?
Horse riding

It’s the end of 2024…

Here’s a letter I wrote at the beginning of 2024 pretending like it’s the end of 2024, so that I can will these into reality:

It’s the end of 2024. I come back to this letter I wrote at the beginning of the year (today), mind blown by how accurate life unfolded in the past 365 days. 🤯

You’ve crushed your goals girl!! Making more than you ever did in ‘23 and ‘22. Good job on sticking with the discipline you so lacked in ‘23 and ‘22. That mindset shift from treating your blog like a business only WHEN I felt like it, to committing to it FULLY, changed everything.

You’re touching the lives of individuals through your life story. Thank you for being vulnerable. Thank you for being real. Most of all, thank you for giving unconditionally and without expectation. Relish in all the positive feedback you’ve gotten – you’ve come a long way!

Your work is getting shared on all these platforms. People are really saying WOW at the quality of your work. You’re actually getting noticed on the streets 🫣.

You finally cracked the code selling the right kind of products for your kind of audience. Making dem passive incomesss.

Tourism boards are clamouring to pay you to promote their region. You’re actually getting paid REAL money to travel!

Proud of you for keeping and grooming your team together for a whole year. This team has done an amazing job for you, with great autonomy knowing you can fully trust them. The structure in your team, the organisation, workflow, and processes – it’s been a WIP and it’s looking pretty damn fine now! It’s crazy how you have real humans who rely on you to support their lives. And gosh, you have full-timers in your team now.

Good job on being more intentional instead of being aimless/ floating/ getting distracted and saying yes to easy life pleasures. The courage to say no, I know you’ve been working hard on it!

Finally having that solid routine and fixed working hours. The office set-up you’ve always dreamed of with a standing table? It was high time you got it.

You’ve finally got a home base now, or someone that makes you feel at home wherever you are, that you can go back to whenever you need to rest and recharge.

Someone who listens, who isn’t afraid to challenge you and push you to be a better version of yourself, whom you have lots of fun, laughter and excitement with. Yesss, that partner-in-sexy-crime 😈. Or sexy-partner-in-crime.

HA! And you really realised your dream of being a (permanent) cat mum, you crazy cat lady 😉!