Can you believe it’s already 2024? I say this every year but it felt like the year flew by. This year was a big one for me. It was my first complete year working as a registered nurse, I married my now husband in Greece, and we honeymooned! It’s crazy to me that having a destination wedding in Greece wasn’t even on my mind until January 2023! It makes me wonder what direction my life will have gone in one year from now. In this post, I am going to cover a 2023 goals recap and share some of my favorite products. Like my 2022 goals recap post, I am going to go through the goals I had made in 2023 and whether I reached them or not.
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2023 Goals Recap
In 2023, I separated my goals into categories. In each category, I had 3 goals that I wanted to complete. The categories that I had decided on were finance, health/wellness, and then “other” which was a catch-all.
Financial
Pay off my car – COMPLETED
At the end of 2022, I had around $6000 left on my car loan for my 2018 Toyota Corolla. My first priority for my finances this year was to pay off the loan. I am glad to say that the car payment is no more! Sometime over the summer, I paid off the car in full.
Max out my Roth IRA – COMPLETED
As of November, I was able to max out my Roth IRA. I contribute a bit to a 401k, but because my work doesn’t match it isn’t my main retirement savings. This was the first year I was able to max out my Roth IRA. I am going to keep this goal going into 2024 to build my retirement since I got a late start.
Have $20,000 in savings – COMPLETED
We are so fortunate this year to have been able to save. Starting this year we didn’t have an emergency fund. We are also going to be moving early in the new year and wanted to have a moving fund since we downsized and sold many of our things.
Health and Wellness
Complete the Plant-Based Whole 30
Unfortunately, I made it a whole 8 days and quit. Danny and I were trying to do the whole 30 together and we were not fun to be around. He wasn’t going to continue, so I didn’t want to do it by myself. Not interested in completing this goal in 2024 either. We tried!
Run a 10k
I ran a bit in 2023, but not as much as in previous years. I didn’t get around to running a 10k because my workouts were focused elsewhere. However, I think running is definitely in the cards for 2024!
Try a new sport – COMPLETED
While this was not on my radar for a new sport that I wanted to try, I started yoga! This was not a completely new-to-me workout since I took classes for college credit when I was 18, but I found a new love for it. I even tried hot yoga for the first time (obsessed) at Yoga Six. So will I be keeping up with is in 2024? Short answer, no. Long answer, it’s a lot of money for the amount that I am able to go. My motivation right now for yoga (following getting back from Greece) has also been waning.
Other
Read 30 books – COMPLETED
Usually, I try to read 52 books a year. This year I decided to take it easy in hopes of reading longer books or series (such as ACOTAR). I did not get around to reading ACOTAR, but I did at least read 30 books! So, we are calling it good on this goal.
Travel to a new country – COMPLETED
Prior to this year, I had never been to Greece! Crazy to think we had thought we would maybe go to Italy for a honeymoon in December of last year and we ended up going to Greece for our wedding and a 3 WEEK honeymoon! It was really a dream. I am going to keep this goal going into 2024. I think it’s always a good goal to try and visit a new country each year.
Plan a wedding and get married! – COMPLETED
Yay! I did it! After 10 months of planning, we got married on September 27th, 2023. We are still enjoying our time as newlyweds.
Photo credit: Alecca Synclair Photography 🙂
Graduate with my BSN – COMPLETED
I did this too! It was kind of a given when I made this goal. In August right before our wedding, I graduated from Washington State University with my Bachelor of Nursing degree. It has been in the works for YEARS. I first started community college in 2014. Nine years later here I am with 2 Associate’s and one Bachelor’s degree!
Favorite Products
Nuface Mini
I am not the type of person to buy expensive skincare tools, but I have loved the Nuface mini! I got the Nuface this year during Ulta’s 21 days of beauty. It was 50% off which was a total steal. I deal with puffiness in my face and this helps a ton. I use it every morning and have noticed a complete change in my face. Check out the Nuface mini here!
Ouai Hair Oil
I love this hair oil. First of all, it smells amazing. It also helps my hair (which has always been chronically dry) look healthy and smooth. I have already replaced this product once this year, so I know it has become a new staple in my routine. Check out the Ouai hair oil here!
Briogeo Hair Mask
Another hair product, but this mask is basically my holy grail. I use it weekly and it makes my hair so soft! It helps lock moisture back into my hair. Even my hairdresser noticed a difference when I went in! I buy it in bulk now. You can check out the Briogeo hair mask here.
Merit Beauty
I have been eyeing Merit Beauty for a while since I try to use mostly clean beauty products. They ended up sending me the concealing stick and blush earlier this year and since then, I have been obsessed! They are some of my favorite products. I have been converted into a total Merit Beauty fan! Check out their products here!
Teva Hurricane Drift Sandals
These Tevas were the best while walking around Greece! I feel ready for anything in these. They are comfortable, waterproof, and wash off really easily. I throw them on all the time. I feel like I will probably end up hiking in them during 2024. Might also grab a few in different colors because I love them that much! Check them out here.
Final Thought | 2023 Goals Recap
Overall, I think I did really well! I hit almost everything on my list. I don’t think I really challenged myself. However, 2023 was so busy between working full time, planning a wedding and honeymoon in a country I had never been to (and don’t speak the language), and going to school full time up until August. I spent the last couple of months since getting married trying to rest so I am ready to get back into working towards my goals in 2024.
2023 was so good to me and I can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store!
Thanks for reading this 2023 goals recap! As always, you can find me on Instagram @maddie_deer here, or can follow me on my Facebook page to be alerted of any new posts here. Did you have goals for 2023? If so, let me know what they were in the comments below (or what your 2024 goals will be!).
