My "23 for 2023" List - How did I do?

UPDATE (29/02/2024 Yes, it's a leap year)

The two week deadline I mentioned at the bottom really spurred me into action, so I have been able to update a few items below, and more importantly, my final "score".

Wow, it's nearly mid-February - how?? But last year I only wrote this post in June, so it's actually still very early in the year for me 😂

1. Finish decorating my bedroom. ✅ Done. It took me much longer than I thought, but I am very happy with my new floors, storage and curtains. Plus everything that's supposed to be on the wall is on the wall - win!

2. Get more active on LinkedIn. ✅ Done. I signed up to a brilliant course from Madeline Mann, and applied the very practical advice to my LinkedIn profile. Could I be more consistent? Of course. Is this a handy reminder? Yes, it is :-)

3. Learn how to make the perfect tamarind cocktail. ❌ I have bought the tamarind, I have the tequila, and I have done the research, but I have not made the cocktail - yet. Update: ✅ Done. Perhaps not perfect. but done :-)

4. Participate in a cause I believe in. ✅ Started. Moving on from saving the London gas lamps, I have decided to volunteer for a literacy charity. So far I have attended an online information session, and started my application so still lots to do, but things are in motion.

5. Get more Vitamin D. 🚧 Okay, full disclosure, I was useless at this (although I managed to start a selenium and biotin habit thanks to my hairdresser). But in-between writing this post the first time, losing everything because my laptop crashed, and re-writing the post I have ordered two types of Vitamin D (the drops I've mentioned before, and the extra-strength version). Update: ✅ Done. The vitamin D arrived promptly, and I have taken it every night since it arrived. It has slotted very nicely into my magnesium and selenium routine so I am confident this will continue.

6. Save for a new kitchen. ❌ I have been saving, but not nearly enough as I have also been spending (see #1). But I have done some research, and got a quote, and am slowly developing  a potential plan - which might need to be accelerated as I am currently living without gas (which means no hot water). Update: 🚧 Under construction. I'm updating this, because in classic Natalie style I completely discounted some of the progress I have made, like getting a quote, building a plan, and getting approval from the landlord.

7. Donate more. ✅ I set up a monthly donation to my former university in Cape Town. I feel good about this as the money is used directly to support students, and British pounds can go quite far in South Africa.

8. Go to Isla. ❌ Such an easy thing, but not done. I may try and get it done this month, and if I can't I may have to let it go... Update: ✅ Done. Well, I have made the arrangements with a friend, and made the booking so it's 99% done, which is good enough for me.

9. Buy a summer dress from Reformation. ❌ I couldn't even work up the courage to go into the store in Covent Garden! Maybe one day I'll finally complete this, but right now there's too much competition for my money lol

10. Add to my fragrance collection. ✅ Done. I found the the Fig & Rose perfume from L'Occitane on eBay - score!  Speaking of eBay I have also snapped up one or two of my favorite limited edition Beauty Pie fragrances. 

11. Build on the ballet. ❌ I could copy and paste my previous entry as it's still the same: "started going last year, but want to build up my frequency so I am aiming for once a week." I want to try again though, so will carry this over.

12. Rebuild my body. 🚧 Under construction. Sadly, as with all exercise endeavors this requires consistency. I was actually very consistent for a while, to the extent that I noticed some key changes. But that freaked me out, and my consistency dropped from that point onwards. I have the perfect program from Living Leggings, so I need to get back on track.

13. Commit to SUPERSTREAK. 🚧 Under construction. I launched on Etsy, and started a rebrand, but I still want to find local markets and launch new ranges. Also, I think it may be time for me to start doing my social media "in-house".

14. Go see The Mousetrap. ❌ Again, another easy item that I've put off. But, in this case it might be for a reason - I didn't have anyone to go see this with, but on Saturday I found out a friend and her daughter want to go - which helps with my motivation. Update: ✅ Done. Well, again I have made arrangements with a friend and her daughter, and I've booked the tickets so I haven't actually seen it yet, but it will be done,

15. Try out a local gym. Specifically Fight City Gym. ❌ As I mentioned I am very intrigued by this gym, and it turns out my sister is also intrigued, so again perhaps with the right company I will be able to make this happen, and soon!

16. Enter a sitcom writing contest. ❌ Oh Lord, another red cross. But in another fortuitous coincidence the latest newsletter from comedy (and novel) writer Dave Cohen actually lists the upcoming key competitions. So probably a carry-over!

17. Finish redecorating my spare room. 🚧 Under construction. Thanks to recent visitors this room is much tidier than it was just a week ago, but it still needs work. 

18. Install a CO2 alarm. 🚧 I finally bought the Google Nest Protect, but it's still in the box. I think I was putting this off until I redecorated my kitchen but that's a bit dumb. I will go home & install it today! Update: ✅ Done. It's not currently on a wall or ceiling (but that bit was tricky) but I have made a lot more progress, as the set up is actually quite a few steps.

19. Become a magistrate. ❌ I did not take single action towards this item. I think it's because I think too far into the future... I'm worried that I might leave London, or get a job that prevents me from volunteering. It's complicated! 

20. Explore the freezer aisle. ✅ Done.  I love my little freezer compartment, and I love the convenience of frozen chopped onions or garlic. Plus, I discovered the Gym Kitchen frozen range at Tesco, and I am a huge fan. 

21. Finish balcony makeover. ✅ Done. I painted over all the annoying red paint, got new planters (simple, light-weight, black rectangular planters are surprisingly hard to find, and shockingly expensive) and executed on my mini cactus and succulent garden. It's a space I enjoy now - even from the inside.

22. Promote the podcast! ❌ None of us are that interested in promoting the podcast, or getting a large audience so this can go on the back-burner for now. It's on Apple podcasts if you want to have a listen (see what I did there?).

23. Investigate Locate Internationale. ❌ The research analyst role sounds very interesting, but requires a minimum of 6 hours per week. I need to think about this one...

Okay, let's take a look at the stats: Seven items completed (to be fair a few of them were quite chunky). five items in progress, and eleven not done. Update: Twelve items completed, four items in progress, and seven not done.

There are some items I don't want to carry over, but I would like to do, so i am going to give myself an extended deadline of 29 February 2024 (yes, this year is a leap year), and see what I can tick off. Wish me luck!

Natalie x