Reflecting on 2023: My Wins in a Challenging Year
January 16th marks my 8th official year in business (not counting the several months I’d been in CEED ahead of registering my business name) and it seemed like a good time to reflect on how things have been going.
As I sat down to reflect on the highs and lows of the year—much like the trend popping up on Instagram lately—I found it difficult to recall everything that happened without taking a moment to truly process it. I imagine that’s a common experience for those whose lives have been irreversibly altered by loss.
While I’d started 2023 on a high, in February I found out that my Mum had cancer and by the beginning of June, she was gone. Last year was the hardest year of my life, and I’ve never been so grateful for my business and the clients that I get to work with on a regular basis who gave me the space I needed to handle everything.
Once I sat down and started focusing on the positives for this post, I realized there were some significant wins worth sharing with my circle. After being offl ine for a bit too long (even though I encourage others to take social media breaks when needed), it feels good to reconnect and share what went well.
Win #1: I Ran My First Retreat
In January 2023, I organized a close-knit business retreat for four fellow businesswomen at a stunning property overlooking the ocean on the Nova Scotia shore. From booking the location to planning meals, activities, and discussions, I didn’t overlook a single detail. The feedback from the attendees was incredible, and the experience was everything I’d hoped for.
I had big dreams of hosting more retreats—not for profit, but to be surrounded by inspiring women in a safe, supportive setting to discuss business. Despite my mother’s illness and the challenges that followed, I managed to achieve several goals set during that retreat. The close relationships I strengthened there helped me throughout the year.
While I’m not quite ready to dive back into retreats, I’m considering hosting another one this winter or next summer, potentially with a larger group.
Win #2: I Embraced a Four-Day Work Week
2023 was the first year I implemented a four-day work week—or more accurately, a modified version. I booked work and meetings from Monday to Thursday, leaving Fridays as a flexible wrap-up day. This wasn’t a true four-day work week, but it allowed me the mental space to handle any overflow without working on weekends, which I reserved for recovery.
This change was invaluable during such a challenging year. I often ended up working Friday mornings, but the flexibility kept me from burning out. When I reviewed my time-tracking data from Toggl, I found that my productivity actually increased. My working sessions were longer, with fewer interruptions, and I consistently met deadlines thanks to that built-in buffer day.
10/10 would recommend this approach to any small business owner.
Win #3: I Became a SquareSpace Circle Member
Although most of my work is in digital marketing, with retainer clients ranging from 6 to 24 hours a week, I also built seven new websites on Squarespace in 2023. My husband joined me to build two more on WordPress.
Many of these sites were e-commerce, and by acting as a contributor, I finally reached the number of sites needed to become a SquareSpace Circle member. Since basic sites don’t include a contributor role, and I don’t upgrade memberships unnecessarily, it took longer than expected to achieve this milestone. But gaining access to the Circle forums has been a huge benefit.
Win #4: New Kajabi Membership Sites and Video Editing
One of my favorite projects this year was creating an online course for a Kajabi membership site. I recorded voice-overs, designed new slides, and reworked all the modules to create a cohesive learning experience.
I love being involved in online course creation, so this was a highlight for me. Over the winter break, I also dove into video editing, focusing on vertical video formats for short-form content—a skill that will benefit both my clients and me as I continue to develop more courses on Kajabi throughout 2024.
Win #5: I Recovered from Burnout (Mostly)
2023 was the year I decided not to push myself. While I started with big dreams, I scaled them back to a more sustainable goal of matching last year’s success once it became clear that much of my time would be spent in hospitals and on the road.
And I’m incredibly thankful for that decision.
By scaling back, I was able to maintain my existing client relationships, cut ties with clients who no longer fit my available time, and reduce networking or discovery meetings in favor of working with pre-vetted clients from my waiting list. This gave me the time I needed to be with my family and navigate the second half of the year after my mum passed away.
I worked with a therapist to reset my extreme expectations and establish healthy boundaries, and I started a prescription for anti-anxiety medication to help rebalance my mental health.
With renewed energy, I’ve spent my downtime learning new skills on Skillshare, revisiting old hobbies like drawing and reading, and exploring new ones—like bookbinding. I wouldn’t say I’ve 100% recovered from the burnout caused by losing my mother, but it’s definitely a lot better than it was last year.
Word of the year: Consistency
After taking some time to set goals for this upcoming year, I’ve decided my word of the year will be ‘consistency’—whether that’s taking care of my physical and mental health, keeping up with good habits, updating my skills, or staying on top of social media. I want to approach 2024 with consistency in all things.