Maximizing Minimalism

This year, I endeavored to embrace minimalism, which has always been a guiding principle for me. I managed to declutter by parting with over 10 kg of clothing and several items that no longer served a purpose. Some items were donated, while friends adopted others. With high rent prices and limited space, it seems more valuable to utilize my area for living rather than storage.

Detaching from possessions and refraining from acquiring new things can be challenging. However, I strive to become the decluttering expert I've always envisioned. Minimalism also extends to social interactions—eliminating unnecessary commitments. A crucial lesson I’ve learned is that others will celebrate our happiness if we pursue our passions, and ultimately, no one is more invested in how we spend our time than ourselves.

By distancing myself from draining relationships or events, I can channel my energy into activities that ignite my passion, ensuring I remain true to myself.

Work Life

2023 marked a return to the office, gradually transforming into a new routine for me, especially since I began my career working from home. I continue to enhance my focus and efficiency in shared spaces, and I feel I'm making progress.

In terms of professional accomplishments, I successfully launched DT Flow (a custom typeface for Dynatrace), created DT Flow Mono, and designed various app icons for the Dynatrace product. However, the most impactful growth this year has been in communication and presentation skills, as well as navigating diverse workplace scenarios—experiences I wouldn't have encountered while self-employed.

Eye Laser Surgery

Without a doubt, this was one of the best decisions of my year. I underwent the procedure in October, and two months later, I'm optimistic that it will rank among my best life choices. Having struggled with nearsightedness since childhood, this change has significantly enhanced my quality of life. I now feel more confident and liberated without glasses, and I'm grateful for the technology that has allowed me to see the world with clarity.

Tennis

In contrast to other pursuits where I strive for humility, I can confidently claim I've made considerable strides in tennis this year. Thanks to countless hours spent practicing with colleagues and guidance from coaches, both in person and online, I now have a better understanding of what a proper hit feels like for both forehand and backhand strokes. This newfound knowledge has also helped me select a racket that suits my playing style, despite some trial and error.

While there’s still room for improvement, particularly in learning essential techniques like slicing and serving, the challenges keep the game exciting. I believe tennis offers valuable life lessons, and I might explore this further in a dedicated article someday. I'm thrilled to integrate this sport into my life!

Dancing

A year ago, I took my first steps onto the dance floor, struggling to walk in high heels and feeling overwhelmed by the choreographed moves. I once thought my brain was better suited for memorizing verbal information rather than grasping physical movements.

Fast forward to today, and I've made significant progress. While I may not be the quickest learner, I've developed the ability to recognize dance figures and no longer feel daunted by complex pivots and directions. The journey to improve my balance and precision in dance continues, but my partner and I have successfully implemented basic routines in various styles, including English Waltz, Quickstep, Rumba, ChaCha, and Samba.

Fitness, Health, and Other Sports

My commitment to a healthy lifestyle remains steadfast. I generally eat well, treat myself kindly, and ensure I get enough sleep. However, I recognize the need to be more proactive about scheduling routine medical check-ups.

This year, I've enjoyed Pilates, yoga, and other activities, but I've discovered a particular fondness for Pilates, and I plan to focus on it moving forward. Additionally, I've developed a new interest in Barre and may seek opportunities to explore Ballet as well.

Though I've always been a gym member, I lacked a clear goal for weight training, which has resulted in minimal progress. However, I am currently enrolled in a CPD-certified fitness coaching course, and I'm hopeful that gaining more knowledge will lead to better results.

Swimming has never been my forte; my previous experiences were limited to shallow pools. This year, I took my first plunge into lake swimming and even tried paddleboarding during summer vacation, which was especially delightful in sunny Austria. I aim to enhance my swimming skills in the coming years!

Hiking remains a challenge for me, particularly with steep descents, but the stunning Austrian landscape has encouraged me to embrace elevation during walks and appreciate the heart-pounding views from the summits.

Languages

Regrettably, 2023 was not a strong year for language learning. I lost my impressive 390+ day streak on Duolingo and found myself lacking motivation for practice. I completed a 7-week German B1.1 course but let go of other languages I had previously studied.

I once considered myself part of the polyglot community but have since decided to focus solely on German as I settle into life in Austria. However, merely learning passively by living here might not suffice for fluency.

That being said, I'm grateful to have engaged in several social interactions in German during Pilates, tennis, and gatherings with friends. A heartfelt thank you to my supportive local friends! I won’t set unrealistic goals for myself but hope to dedicate more time to language learning in 2024.

Filmmaking

Participating in the music video for "Heartland" by Patricia Starlight was an incredible experience. While my usual work involves title and graphic design, concepting a music video and performing in front of the camera were entirely new territory for me.

Being part of Instant36 was another exhilarating experience—we created STOCKHOLM. Although I was a beginner, our experienced team produced a fantastic result! While we didn't win any awards, I take pride in knowing our work was selected for screening in front of an audience.

Modeling

In November, I had the unique chance to assist with a bridal photoshoot—yet another first-time experience. Having no previous involvement in weddings or modeling, it was both interesting and refreshing!

Ukulele

My ukulele journey continues into its second year. Though I've played less, I've made some progress on fingerpicking tracks. I approach this skill with a relaxed mindset, simply enjoying the ability to accompany my home karaoke sessions occasionally. (You can check them out here.)

Traveling & Vacation

I didn’t spend much time exploring the world this year. Besides Lanzarote, my new discoveries were mostly within Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. If I had to choose a standout destination, it would be Graz—a charming and vibrant city that I hope to revisit someday.

Movies & TV Shows

Unlike the previous year when I frequently visited the cinema, this year was less about heavy viewing. My top picks include: - Ordinary Failures - Decision to Leave - How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast) - Dark - Alice in Borderland

Books

2023 was not a prolific reading year for me, but my favorite fiction was "Letter from an Unknown Woman" by Stefan Zweig, while my preferred non-fiction was "Atomic Habits" by James Clear. I also enjoyed "The Inner Game of Tennis" by Timothy Gallwey.

Podcasts

This year, I predominantly listened to Chinese podcasts during walks, chores, and workouts, totaling an impressive 380 hours of listening—an unexpected amount!

Some new (and all-time) favorites include: - ???? After School - ???? - ?????? One Call Away - fit4life - ???? Stochastic Volatility - ???? - ???? Normal Sisters - ????

Reflecting on my experiences, I initially thought 2023 was rather ordinary, but as I wrote, it became clear how much has transpired. I am grateful for all the people, experiences, and events I encountered this year. It has been a fruitful journey, and I look forward to seeing you in 2024! ?

Warm regards, Denise Y. Dou

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this, feel free to connect and say hello! ;)