Looking ahead to 2024

I’m going to be honest with you, this article started out as a reflective look back at 2023. I was hoping it would be a warm and nostalgic read to start the new year, but it actually ended up being quite the downer.

What happened in 2023..?

The year feels like it came and went without so much as a tip of the cap or a jovial ‘see you later’.

I don’t think that I’m prepared to let 2024 do the same, so I thought we could look ahead and plan some things to do together in the hopes that this year leaves a more lasting and positive impression.

Two awareness campaigns take place throughout January every year, and anyone can join in to kickstart a year of getting healthy.

First up is Dry January, which challenges you to go 31 days alcohol-free as a way of improving both mental and physical health, as well as saving a little bit of money after an expensive Christmas period.

Then we have Veganuary, which is all about trying to eat vegan for a month. Veganism isn’t just healthy for you, but it’s healthier for the planet, and it’s obviously kinder to animals, so everybody wins!

If you take part in either, then use the hashtags #DRYJANUARY or #VEGANUARY to share your progress on social media.

2024 brings us two summer sporting spectaculars to get excited about, namely the men’s UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament in Germany, and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Having the events take place in two European cities means that the TV schedule will suit us pretty well here in the UK.

England topped their qualifying group with 6 wins and 2 draws, so we’ll have hopes of seeing them go pretty far this year. Scotland also qualified second in their group, but Wales and Northern Ireland both unfortunately missed out.

The 2024 Olympics brings with it four new exciting sports for us to get invested in; breaking (commonly known as breakdancing), sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing.

Is this something to get excited about..? I guess it depends on your view, but it will certainly be a big discussion point at some point in the year. The latest the next General Election could be held is 28th January 2025, but Parliament will have to be dissolved before that, and the deadline is 17th December 2024.

The election could be called much earlier than that, but you can bet that the media won’t let us forget about it, and will be making predictions about it for at least the next few months. Whatever your feelings about UK politics, it could bring about big changes, and will certainly be memorable one way or the other.

The cost of living went crazy in 2023, but things are hopefully starting to level out as we head into 2024, so maybe you can now afford that holiday you’ve been putting off? Or maybe one of the many music festivals that will be happening up and down the country?

If you are still feeling the pinch and don’t want to splash out on anything too lavish, then plan something like a monthly walk or picnic with a certain group of family or friends, maybe heading somewhere completely different every time. Parks, beaches, and woodland walks are all places you can visit for free, so aim to make the most of them this year if you’re able.

On a personal note, I want to pick up my camera again next year so that I have actual evidence of the things I’ve been doing. Rekindling your love for an old hobby, or even starting a new one, is a great way to make this year a memorable one.

Is there anything that you’re particularly looking forward to this year? Or anything that I should have included in this article? Let me know in the comments below!

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