Goodbye, 2023. Hello, 2024 ✨
Looking back on the rollercoaster ride this year was 💛
If you’ve been around here for a while (like, before my debut author days), you’ll know that 2022 was the best year of my life. I signed with my agent and got a 2-book deal with Penguin Random House, I was in a relationship with my best friend, and I was just… so happy.
2023, unfortunately, did not live up to my expectations. Although it was a great year for my career, it was a really, really difficult time in my love life. Let’s take a look at my 2023 Wrapped, shall we?
My 2023 wrapped
1: I ended a relationship that had run its course. Think going from Taylor Swift’s Cornelia Street (“I hope I never lose you”) to You’re Losing Me. It was a difficult decision, but looking back, it was for the best.
2: I did a solo trip to Mumbai twice. It’s the one place that feels like home to me—the city where I went to college and became the person I am today—and sitting by the sea at Bandstand reminded me that I can get through anything, as long as I have faith, hope, and trust in myself and the Universe. Of course, anxious doubts and frustrations still persist in the back of my head even today, but hope is stronger than fear.
3: Dating apps exhausted me, but I persisted… in vain. Although I met some great people, it was just never the right fit. Either they walked away or I did, and I’m ending the year single and choosing to be okay with it.
4: I became a regular at karaoke night. Almost by chance, I discovered a pub that hosts karaoke night every week—and as it turns out, singing Taylor Swift songs and millennial pop tracks from the 2000s (very off-tune) is deeply cathartic. I usually go to karaoke alone, but I’m learning to love my own company.
5: Match Me If You Can, my debut novel, went up for preorder. I was introduced to my marketing team, who are currently running a Goodreads giveaway of 20 early copies. Speaking of which, I got to hold an ARC (advance reader copy) of MMIYC in my hands for the first time!! Yes, many happy tears were shed.
6: With my agent’s help, I finished writing my first queer YA novel. I’m so proud of it, and I hope someday it finds its home in publishing.
7: I sent a draft of my second book to my editor. She loved it and had lots of feedback to make it an even stronger romance novel. I’m elbow-deep in edits right now!
Those were the highlights (lowlights?) of 2023. It was a rough year emotionally, but I’m choosing to heal from and process all of it—the good, the bad, the ugly.
So… what do I want 2024 to look like?
A year of healing. Of learning and unlearning. Of saying yes to things, people, and experiences that light up my soul. Of saying no to everything else.
My word for 2024
I always have a word for every year. My word for 2023 was COMMUNITY, and it happened. I found my people who have cheered me on even when I didn’t think I could get through it all. For 2024, my word is SELF. I'm choosing myself. My joy, my growth, my peace. And if someone comes along to join me on that journey, great. But if not... I can face this.
Goals for 2024
Match Me If You Can releases June 4, 2024, so marketing and promo will be my main priority for the year. I’ll also be finishing edits for book 2, and hopefully getting a book deal for my YA project?
As for my non-author goals? Staying consistent with my fitness journey. Cooking more. Enjoying the present moment vs. living anxiously in the future. And most importantly, being kind to myself whether I achieve my goals or not.
Hit ‘reply’ or comment below and tell me: how was 2023 for you, and what’s your word for 2024? Who do you want to become in this new year? How will you care for yourself in the months to come?
Until next year (lol)!
Love hard & dream big,
Swati 💛