Got engaged!

Treated my mum and grandma to an overseas trip to Australia. Spent quality time with grandma by treating her to meals at least once a month.

Started a new career chapter. Made some small wins in what I wanted to achieve out of this career chapter (e.g. transition into a new role / secure company sponsorship for learning opportunities that I have been eyeing / gain division-wide visibility.)

Grew my finances and set up some key personal finance areas (e.g. annual budgeting and allocation of finances; miles strategy).

Forged new friendships and enjoyed the process of doing so.

Turned 30! And starting to see my 30s in a new light and embrace this chapter of life.

Off the top of my head - culture misfit with my current workplace and boss. / Not a product environment that inspires me. / Stressors because of the misalignment in how I actually want to grow personally and professionally, vs. what the work environment is trying to shape me into. / Deciding on trade-offs (leaving vs. staying, and how this impacts other priorities I have for the year).

Theme for 2023 was embracing a new season of change - quite an apt goal as I step into my 30s. And I feel like I have achieved it :) New career, friendships, relationship stage / stage of life. Grateful for all that has happened throughout the year.

Grateful that my grandma is still healthy and well.

Grateful to still have a job amidst a tough and uncertain job climate, especially in the tech space.

Grateful that my partner and I are taking steps to conquer challenges together and are very aligned in wanting to keep working on, and becoming more in sync in our relationship.

Focusing on what you can control.

Prioritization and being more selective of what I spend my energy inventory on, to avoid stretching myself too thin.

Surrender to your life. Let go of the idea you have about how things should unfold. Remain open to what is happening – in this state, you will always see the next best step forward.

Avoidance perpetuates anxiety. Things are often bigger, more intimidating and more consequential in our minds than in reality. Just do it.

Avoidance robs you of the opportunity to do something your brain originally perceived as difficult, and show your brain “It’s not that bad after all.” “It’s all in your mind.” Repeatedly prove your fears and insecurities wrong.

Buying a home and hopefully getting to the stage of completing renovations.

Become stronger in Product Management (both in terms of better understanding technical infrastructures and building more core skillsets e.g. with next year’s Reforge cohort).

Deciding to quit my previous job to prioritise my mental wellbeing

Managing to land a new opportunity which seems to be a better fit (fingers crossed)

Keeping up with yoga at least once a week since Q2

Finally went on an overseas trip with Mom (+ sister / BIL / nephew)

Grateful for the convergence of factors that led to me taking a much needed break from work - (a) The wife who gave the support / "permission" to quit | (b) having sufficient financial resources | (c) ND community and friends who helped me navigate the different thoughts and considerations

Grateful for good health (both myself and loved ones)

Grateful for family and friends and the opportunity to spend time with them

[Relationships] Conflict with a close friend that taught me the importance of communication and expectations management

[Self] Got claustro from anxieties manifesting physically; Learnt how to self-regulate better using mindset frames and breathing techniques

[Work] Navigating many changes and also stress mgmt from escalations, given client-facing; Learnt how to self-regulate using the framework of size of problem vs size of reaction

[Relationships] A new set of close friendships that serendipitously came about from the gym

[Community] People who have chosen to journey with me, even through paid options 

[Environment] Mum helping us to get a newer, bigger place 

[Career] Stable and can afford luxuries for self and loved ones

All or nothing thinking / Perfectionism

Self-worth hinged on external factors outside me

Associating ‘more’ with ‘better’ (Finding balance in an age of abundance)

Numbing out by mindless binging / scrolling / eating

Enjoying the present more instead of fretting over the past/future or outcomes

Strategizing for lower effort / high ROI opps 

Always keeping the more important things in mind

Balancing between ambition and contentment

Defining what’s enough