It’s 3rd January 2024, my second working day of the new year. I am gathering my thoughts from 2023 with a hot drink in hand to tame the shock to the system at trying to fully function after the holidays!
2023 was a particularly challenging year for me personally. It started with the funeral of a very close relative. January is always disorientating for me and I often find it difficult to start back up again but in 2023, I felt quite stuck. I took some time to re-start. Thankfully, I had a new role which began on 12th January at the University of Nottingham. Returning to a campus after 10 years gave me a sense of belonging and the nostalgia fuelled the rest of my early 2023! The year started to look-up and my self-employed work also gifted me new relationships and experiences.
My goal for 2023 was to get back into an institution (part-time) alongside my business. I missed the feeling of being on campus every day and meeting new people! I also wanted to get back on track with my podcast with some fresh thinking! Finally, I needed to learn to slow down. If you know me, you know I find this one incredibly difficult.
I have been thinking about how the year went over the last few weeks and using my ‘2023 Critical Reflection Guide’ I have organised my reflections below:
Top 5 wins:
- Talking CriticalEd Podcast (series 2) – I really enjoyed delving deeper into critical thinking and moved into deeper topics which I aim to continue.
- Seeing (and holding) my book in person – If you follow me on LinkedIn, you probably saw the photo of me smiling ear to ear! I was on a sole-exploring trip to Cambridge and found my book in Heffers! Writing a book takes lots of hard work, research, and time. Seeing it on a shelf was so rewarding.
- Supporting Medicine and Health Science students – Being someone who has a long-term health condition I have always admired the time and energy healthcare professionals put into helping me to lead a better life. Working with the next generation of Doctors gave me an insight into the deeper feelings that are at play when training to save lives. My admiration grew.
- Attending a Lego Serious Play workshop – I have always been a creative person and I was so excited when my team was getting the opportunity to learn more about how to use Lego in the classroom. I learned so much about myself (and those around me). I am looking forward to using elements of my learning in my own workshops!
- Looking after me as a priority and slowing down – This was the most tricky. I often feel a sense of guilt if I am not occupying myself with work/doing something. I finally got in the driving seat for this one and with the network around me, I am getting better with this!
Excelled in:
- Setting intentions for the work I want to do – 2023 was the year I learned that there are only so many hours in the day and doing everything isn’t possible! I selected very carefully, the projects I wanted to take on and let go of the ones that didn’t fuel me!
- Mastery of new ways of thinking to support Medicine and Health Sciences – supporting a new subject/department always excites me. I designed workshops in a way I haven’t ever had to think about. I think there were dinner tables and birthing stories at some point!
- Designing for events – I don’t get to do this as often as I would like so when I got the chance to put together interactive ideas for a university-wide event, I carefully crafted games to bring together a community.
- Reading fiction – I have always been a non-fiction reader but this year I read more fiction and it was great for a bit of escapism!
- Healthy eating habits/daily walks – Being vegan did not mean that I was by any means healthy. I educated myself on what my body needed to feel better in my own skin. I also walk every day regardless of rain, snow, sun, and wind and I feel so much better!
2024 could be better if:
- If I learn to take further risks (I am quite a safe person) although if we are newly acquainted you may not say so! I want to learn to be a little more free! A working progress…
- Continued and intentional self-care/sleep routine. I love a good data managing app and seeing how much deep sleep I have got. The holidays have disrupted my sleeping so I want to get back on track and maintain it.
- I want to blog more! One of my aims this year is to keep writing on critical thinking. Join me on the journey.
My biggest lessons:
- The connection between the mind and body and the impact it can have
- I am not defined by just my working role or label
Grateful for:
- Now that I am back to fully being self-employed, the flexibility of my schedule on my time
- Time for hobbies and creativity which energise me!
Hardest things about 2023:
- Bereavement and grief. This came in waves throughout the year and never really left.
- COVID finally hit me in September 2023! 2.5 years later. I was forced to slow down. My chronic asthma is still affected and possibly always will be but I am forever grateful for my support network and my team of healthcare professionals to help me manage and know when to slow down.
Improve for 2024:
- New connections – sole working can feel isolating when I am not delivering or in meetings, so I would love to meet new people in my field and those who want to know more about my work and how I can potentially support
- Intentional reading list! Upcoming blog post on this!
- Collaboration – any academic consultants out there who want to develop a joint workshop, I am open to ideas! – Get in touch.
It’s the unknowns sometimes that give you the biggest surprises so I am learning not to overplan and take smaller steps into 2024. I am excited about the workshops over the next year and meeting new students and educators. Happy 2024! Would love to know what your reflection looked like and what your plans are for 2024!
