No Resolutions, Just Revelations: 2023 in Review
It's January 13th, and the air is electric, with hopeful resolutions. Fitness centers are overcrowded with new members, though experience tells us these crowds will thin in a month or two. Meanwhile, bar owners, basking in the glow of holiday profits, watch as regulars temporarily trade their barstools for juice bars in the annual ritual of the January cleanse. Once overflowing with holiday treats, supermarkets now find their produce aisles pillaged by resolution troopers, a trend destined to be short-lived as old habits beckon from the comfort aisles.
As for me, I'm a longstanding member of team no-resolution. I've never understood the logic of waiting until January 1st to suddenly adopt new habits. Shouldn't we start right away if something is important enough to do? This isn't to say I'm indifferent to the spirit of new beginnings. Indeed, it's heartening to witness the birth of positive habits, but shouldn't such pursuits be a constant, year-round endeavor?
Resolutions might not be my thing, but I do have a cherished New Year ritual: reflecting on the year that has passed. Blessed — or cursed — with a forgetful mind, I've made it a tradition to compile an annual review, a mental scrapbook that captures the essence of the preceding twelve months.
And so, let me present to you 2023 in review:
Travel
I triumphantly checked off a long-held dream this year: an extended European trip with my family. My wife, daughter, and I zig-zagged the continent for eight months — driving, train riding, and flying to countless cities, creating memories to last a lifetime.
We centered our stay in Florence and London, using these hubs as home bases. From watching the sun melt into the Aegean at the Temple of Poseidon in Greece to solo hiking the hills of Tuscany and laughing over raclette and wine with cousins in Paris, this trip was full of simple moments and periods of pure awe. I tried stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Garda, learned to row on the River Thames, and made about a hundred other highlights I'll recount in future writings.
But this journey was not without its trials. Adjusting a three-year-old's sleep patterns to our nomadic lifestyle was a formidable challenge, and moving our life from one country to another tested my packing abilities. Yet, these difficulties paled compared to the joy of shared discovery and simple togetherness.
Reading
In a year less dominated by books than usual — thanks to my stubborn refusal to use e-readers — I still managed to devour 22 titles. Here are the five highest rated (for a complete list of all books I've rated 4.0 or higher, see my reading list):
Tuesdays with Morrie: an old man, a young man, and life's greatest lessons
The Metaphysics of Ping Pong: Table Tennis as a Journey of Self-Discovery
Wild Problems: A Guide to the Decisions that Define Us
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness
The Most Important Thing: Uncommon Sense for the Common Investor
Writing
If I were to choose a standout area, it would undoubtedly be my writing. More than mere participation, I cultivated a flourishing writing practice in 2023. While I won't boast of any brilliance, I showed up for writing more than ever.
This commitment culminated in completing Write of Passage, an intensive 5-week writing course. The process wasn't always glamorous; many hours were spent wrestling with thoughts and words, questioning their worthiness to be shared. Yet, my writing found new depths and clarity.
Most read post — Why Progress Goes Unnoticed
Most enjoyable to write — The Three Levels of Knowledge
Cool Stuff I Discovered
The Ascent of Man Documentary — This 1970s series, hosted by Jacob Bronowski, was a journey through the evolution of human civilization, intertwining science, art, philosophy, and history to narrate the human saga. The series delves into the key milestones in human progress, such as the advent of language, the rise of agriculture, and the scientific and industrial revolutions. (If you look around a bit, you can find the episodes for free online).
Le Pen — The ideal tool for annotating books, these pens transformed my reading experience, their fine tips perfect for underlining and capturing insights. My post-reading ritual now includes transcribing these notes into Notion, where each book has its dedicated space. Perhaps I'll share that template soon.
Lems Shoes — I logged hundreds of miles on foot exploring new cities, often averaging over 10 miles a day. After years of pinched toes and blisters, I finally found my sole mates in Lems. Their foot-shaped blueprint let my toes splay and relax as I rambled down ancient alleyways and overgrown trails.
Swing Vision — A game-changer for my tennis practice, providing detailed analytics that fine-tuned my gameplay and technique.
Bioniq Toothpaste — A seemingly mundane yet significant discovery, this toothpaste, rich in Biomimetic Hydroxyapatite, became an essential part of my daily regimen.
Favorite Music
My musical journey in 2023 was a mix of the obscure and the enchanting, with Apple Music's data mining revealing my most played albums:
Limoilou — Safia Nolin: A discovery that captivated me with its intimate vocals and acoustic charm.
Imitation Games — Nick Squires & London Music Works: A fresh take on iconic cinematic melodies reimagined with orchestral grandeur.
Corollaries — Lubomyr Melnyk: Melnyk's continuous piano style enveloped me in its hypnotic, repeating note patterns.
About Time — Florian Christl: The perfect soundtrack for introspective writing sessions, filled with nostalgic, piano-driven soundscapes.
Sleep — Max Richter: An 8-hour minimalist masterpiece, Richter's composition became my meditation companion.
Habits
In my 2021 year-in-review, I listed actions I aspired to integrate into my daily life. These actions, modest in their scope, have remained unchanged, not due to a lack of ambition but because of a strong belief in their foundational impact.
These habits — meditating for ten minutes a day, hydrating with 140 ounces of water, ensuring eight hours of sleep, committing to two hours of writing at least twice a week, and dedicating three hours weekly to reading— are more than routine. They are pillars of a much larger plan for well-being.
When these foundational habits are in place, my capacity for creativity, resilience, and learning expands. With a calm mind, a nourished body, and a disciplined approach to personal growth, I find that new doors of opportunity and insight invariably open.
It's this transformative potential that motivates me to maintain these habits year after year. They are the silent yet powerful undercurrents that propel me forward, enabling me to embrace life with a poised and prepared spirit. As I look back, it's clear that these simple, consistent actions have been the launching pad for experiences that defined my year.
Onward
As the final days of 2023 waned, I reflected not just on the places I'd been or the words I'd written but on the lessons I learned. This year, more than ever, taught me the value of unscripted moments and the beauty of uncertainty. Each city we explored, every book passed through my hands, and all the words from my pen wove together an experience that defied any need for resolutions.
My family's journey was more than a travelogue; it was a testament to the joys of shared discovery and the bonds that strengthen when we step out of our comfort zones together. The challenges we faced, from adjusting to new cultures to managing a toddler away from home, were not just hurdles but opportunities for deeper connection.
In my writing, I learned the power of persistence, the art of translating thoughts into words that resonate, and the joy that comes from sharing one's inner world. The books I read, fewer in number but rich in wisdom, reminded me that even in the most hectic times, there's always space for learning.
2023 was a year without resolutions, yet full of resolve. As I stand in a new year, I carry memories and a renewed appreciation for life's unexpected journeys and the lessons they bring. So, here's to the uncharted paths of 2024 — may they be as enlightening, challenging, and joyous as the ones I've traversed this past year.
