52 things I was grateful about in 2023

Here are the 52 notes I wrote, not necessarily in chronological order, about something that made me feel grateful for every week of 2023.

1. I had my first date, with a guy that really liked me, and I felt good.
2. I hung out with my best friend, met her boyfriend, and chatted with her sister, and we had a good time.
3. I learned how to drive an automatic transmission car and am ready to get licensed. I had a night out with [my best friend] and had a great time talking and dancing.
4. My dad turned 59 on Sunday and that's a good thing.
5. I was shown appreciation and interest.
6. I can recognize when I am not being a good person, like when I'm gossiping or talking about other people behind their backs. I should stop this.
7. I feel independent. I'm adulting, although that's not great, but I feel like I'm doing okay.
8. It seems like lots of men want me. I'm desireable.
9. It feels good the men seek me out.
10. I had an awesome first week at work, [and] despite the many limitations, I felt confident and smart.
11. I went to Cuero y Salado.
12. I had fun at work this week. Football match on Thursday got to see my crushes in shorts; Father's Day on Friday got to eat cake.
13. A guy ignored me. It felt like it. That's a good thing because it means he thought about me. I'm so weird.
14. I had a great week. [My best friend] and her family and I went out to party twice. I danced with an Italian guy who kissed me on the cheek. And another guy said he wanted me to be his girlfriend and also kissed my cheek.
15. I am grateful because I have strong values and principles and morals and ethics. Yeah, I haven't kissed or had a boyfriend, but I love myself and have self-esteem.
16. I started tutoring my cousin and it'll be an extra income. I got paid for a side hustle I did a few weeks ago.
17. We went to Utila. We had a great time. Beautiful island.
18. I had a great day at work going to the installation of an indirect measure [device] for a macro consumer, and interacting with several cool engineers and electricians.
19. I bought a car!!
20. I want more -better- and others want it for me too.
21. I started the gym. I twerked on a guy from work.
22. Another Italian guy found me attractive. I drove myself on a night out. I experienced an amazing concert for free and danced all night.
23. I admitted my state of mind to my parents, that I was depressed and disappointed.
24. I like how calmly I react to problematic situations, like blowing out two tires at night 10 km away from the city.
25. I am trusted at work and considered a valuable asset.
26. I saw a really cute guy the other day, which gives me hope that I'll find someone (or that the possibility exists at least) in this town. He had a nice, round butt.
27. "M" was trying to play footsie with me (?) Anyway, I'm grateful to have a best friend, even though she might not consider me hers.
28. I was complimented by someone from work in [the capital] and it feels great to be recognized not only in the office but also somewhere else.
29. I was awarded auditor of the month for May and only just now got the diploma, yet it felt good regardless of how late; and online it felt good to brag.
30. I feel great after I exercise. I like how my arms look toned and stronger. I love how my butt feels tight.
31. So I found out someone might be interested in me and that boosts my self-esteem even if I don't necessarily see him that way.
32. I feel more confident behind the wheel despite what others including my mom might think.
33. I made a really good friend although I have a crush on him.
34. I discovered a great song that may become one of my favorites of the year: Te alejas más de mi by Esteman and Daniela Spalla.
35. I'm reaching small goals like laser hair removal and eyebrow/eyelash maintenance.
36. I have access to specialized healthcare like dental work. Sure, I have to pay for it, but many can't even do that. It hurts and it's uncomfortable, but it means I can worry about stupid things like that when there are so many who can't. Perspective.
37. I'm so fucking hot. I love myself. I can get horny just by looking at my own body.
38. I prioritize my inner peace and pursuit of happiness.
39. I started writing.
40. I had an amazing road trip for a day with a nice friend and to a beautiful place [Tela]. I drove and it felt like adulting and freeing.
41. I took a trip to Guatemala that ended badly, but I went.
42. I got 28+ days of medical paid leave. Opportunity?
43. I didn't have to work for more than a month and still get paid.
44. I can say I have a small financial cushion in case of emergency.
45. I'm a cold-hearted bitch when it comes to men trying to get me. I sexted for the first time and didn't feel a thing. The guy was boring.
46. I turned 24.
47. I have potential and opportunities and won't give up.
48. My grandma is alive and relatively healthy.
49. I tried new things 🌿and had a lot of fun with fun people.
50. I [sorted the mail] with a guy. Sometimes he hit the spot, although not every time, but at least I enjoyed most of it. I think I enjoyed it more than him. That's a win for feminism right there lol.
51. I get to spend Christmas with family and see the joy of my nephew.
52. [I just realized that I forgot the last week of the year, so I'll write it now.] I went out on a date with a guy who kissed me and wanted to get in my pants right away, but I said no and it felt empowering. I also hung out with my new best friend before the new year.

Clearly, some of the notes were thoughtful, while others were reaching. Most of them have a back story, so I tried to arrange them in a somewhat chronological order. Reading these back yesterday for the first time was a nice, retrospective moment. I chuckled at some of them, snorted at others, shook my head, facepalmed, got pensive. 

I had a lot of new experiences in the past year, some of which I wouldn't have imagined experiencing and would've sworn never to do. I guess some of them are summed up in this list. But if you really want to know about my firsts in 2023, I'll tell you, only if you ask.