As the year unfolded, my journey through 2023 was marked by a collection of resolutions, each a stepping stone towards my evolving self. While I won’t unravel all the resolutions due to my superstitions, I perceive them as nuanced pathways to personal growth and happiness. They embody the SMART philosophy — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and ofcourse Time-Bound — more as objectives shaping my aspirations than life-changing resolutions. I don’t believe in short-term fixes, they never last!
One ambitious feat was conquering the Tirana Marathon, clinching the third prize among Albanian Women. How did I achieve this? Building upon my foundation in running, having previously completed two Tirana half-marathons, I dared to push my limits further. For those considering a fitness resolution, start small and witness the journey unfold — read about my transformation in “My Journey from Couch to Half Marathon: How I Achieved My Running Resolution”.
Engaging with five new books over the course of the year might seem like a modest achievement, but for someone like me, whose reading habits wax and wane with external influences, it’s a notable milestone. I’ve never been a heavy reader. My relationship with literature has always been affected from outside factors, there were times that I would read a lot, there were times that it wouldn’t cross my mind. During 2023, I enjoyed reading:
- The Shadow of the Wind — Carlos Ruiz Zafón
- Immortality — Milan Kundera
- THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES — Agatha Christie
- Love in the Time of Cholera — Gabriel García Márquez
- The Fifth Child — Doris Lessing
Though not all resolutions found completion, therein lies the beauty of progress. Completing two out of three pending books — George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” and Justine Lévy’s “Nothing Serious” — leaves Albert Camus’s “Reflections on the Guillotine” carried over to my resolutions for 2024.
Venturing into uncharted territories, I fulfilled the resolution to visit a distant land far from Albania. Colombia welcomed me for two amazing weeks, making me want to explore more places around the world. Trips like these need savings for a long time and planning ahead. When we go on shorter trips, it’s hard to save up enough for longer ones that need more money. Having this goal helped me set my priorities when it comes to traveling and spending. Traveling to far away lands it’s a life changing and enriching experience, therefore this goal will continue into 2024.
Beyond these written resolutions, numerous undertakings organically sprouted during the year. Completing an Olympic Distance Triathlon, a prelude to my marathon conquest, tested my endurance and preparedness for longer races. Additionally, my quest, “30 at 30: A Journey Through 30 Countries and more,” driven by my wish to discover different cultures, it brought me closer to my big goal of visiting many countries.
As I pen this retrospective blog, I am poised to inscribe my 2024 New Year Objectives/Resolutions. The past year infused me with optimism, an unwavering belief in achieving what lies ahead.
