It’s 2024 and another year ended just as quickly as it began. As we all bid farewell to 2023, I want to look back at the challenges, the regrets, the triumphs and just about everything that made a mark over the last twelve (12) months.
The last time I wrote a “Year in Review” was back in 2014. A lot has changed since then and so I don’t want this to sound too much like the old ones.
Personal Reflections:
There were a lot of things that happened throughout 2023 that had me reflect and look within myself, reevaluate priorities and reignite my passions.
The first major event was the passing of a close friend. It was just so sudden and left me in shock. I got the call as I was getting ready for my day job and I just sat there, in silence and disbelief, thinking about the last few conversations we had.
As the day progressed and the details around his cause of death emerged, it affected me mentally and emotionally. I felt for his wife, his kids and even for him because I knew of some of the goals and plans he had for himself and his family.
After his funeral, I came home to my own family and spent the rest of the day with them. As the days progressed, it put into perspective for me, just how fragile life is. I sometimes find myself reading our last conversation about our jobs and our families. That conversation changed my perspective on how I saw my day job and only reinforced the views of my own family.
Speaking about the perspective of my day job, I’ve realized that the company that I work for, doesn’t care about or recognize the strides or the achievements I’ve made and contributed to at the organization. An excellent work ethic backed by quality appraisals strengthened with over eighteen (18) years of experience amounts to nothing when promotions are easily handed out to someone with no experience in a particular field simply because they were “senior”.
The work environment is so toxic that I look forward to the end of the work day as soon as I arrive to begin the work day. This realization has allowed me to refocus on my design business and website. Its also why I decided to start back writing not just online via my personal website, but in other aspects that I hope to one day share with you all.
Economic Challenges:
2023, the year off the cusp of the global pandemic with many countries facing economic uncertainties, my home country Trinidad and Tobago, is no exception. Our country’s economy is heavily dependent on the revenue earned from the energy sector and with fluctuations globally for oil and gas prices, it makes us vulnerable.
Over the last year, the cost of goods and services across Trinidad and Tobago increased tremendously, in some cases as much as 100%. This has affected me financially as it has impacted my long term saving goals. My main focus now is ensuring that my family has a home, food, electricity and water. With more increases on the horizon and salaries remaining the same, a plan b has to take effect to maintain balance.
Positive Outlook:
Now that 2023 is over, I put it behind me and use the experiences and events to help pave the path throughout 2024, where every day i’m given is a new chapter.