How did DC CopyPro fare in 2023—was it the best or a bust?

• I still haven’t explored the Korean market much at all
• I’m still enjoying my full-time job, but…
• Most of my streaks are still intact
• We’ve settled into our new place
• And that’s it for the DC CopyPro 2023 wrap-up

My last DC CopyPro personal update was back in April on my 50th birthday. As this is my last original blog post of 2023 (my 13th of the year), I thought it was the perfect time for a DC CopyPro 2023 wrap-up. It’s incredible how much things can change in a few months. But have they?

I still haven’t explored the Korean market much at all

Between my full-time job, monthly blogs, and daily awkward English posts, I still haven’t found the time. I even passed 1,000 Instagram posts near the end of November. I’ve had some repeat business from some Korean clients I’ve worked with in the past, which has been fantastic. But I haven’t really looked for any new Korean clients. 

I was able to conduct a survey on attitudes towards awkward English signs back in September. I haven’t had the time to analyze those results, but I plan to do so in the coming weeks. I’ll definitely be blogging about the findings. It’ll be interesting to dive into that data, and I’m keen to get started.

I’m still enjoying my full-time job, but…

I’m still working as the marketing team lead, a position I’ve had for two years now. I’ll have been at my current workplace for three years come July 2024. I still love the people I’m working with—I’m just working with fewer of them. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, the size of our team was cut from 10 to five a few months ago. I was fortunate to keep my job as one of the team members who was let go started at the same time as me. 

I still maintain that team was the best team I’ve ever worked with. It was tough to say goodbye to everyone, but I’m glad I’ve stayed in touch with most of them, at least to some degree. Obviously, the remaining team and I have had to find new ways of working. It’s been a challenge, but the upside is that I’m learning new skills I never planned on learning. For example, I’m learning more about HTML than I ever wanted to know. And there’s still the world of CSS and JavaScript to explore—lucky me!

Most of my streaks are still intact

A highlight of my DC CopyPro 2023 wrap-up is that next week will be two years of 100 daily pushups. I haven’t changed my routine like I planned, but I’m still doing it. Some of the other milestones I’m approaching are:

• Hitting a 730-day streak of doing 100 daily pushups 
• Closing in on a 2,000-day streak of using Duolingo
• Approaching 1,000 days of consecutive daily posts on Instagram
• Meeting my goal of posting one new blog a month this year with this post

One of the streaks that hasn’t fared well is my daily exercise. ICYMI, I had a bad experience with a new rowing machine. While I waited for a replacement, I missed about two months of daily exercise. I’m happy to report I’m delighted with my new machine. I’ve been rowing on it daily since the first week of November. I tried to raffle off a brand-new replacement of my previous rowing machine. But either none of my followers wanted a rowing machine, or my negative review was too effective. 😉 

I’m still playing the guitar almost daily. Unfortunately, my band lost yet another drummer—that was our fourth one. We’re currently in a state of limbo while we try to figure things out. While we’re doing that, I’m revisiting some old songs I haven’t had time to practice. It’s fun, as I’d previously devoted all my time to learning and practicing band songs.

We’ve settled into our new place

We’re loving our new place. We’re all settled in, and our new place has become the new normal. We spent many an evening on our rooftop during the warmer months. As it’s gotten colder, we’re pleased with how well insulated this place is. It does a great job of keeping the heat in. I anticipate our heating bills will be a fraction of what they’ve been in the past. I know we spent a lot less keeping it cool in summer!

Having my own office is working out great. I can focus on work and conduct meetings without bothering anyone. My wife and son don’t need to worry about being quiet or interrupting me. It’s safe to say we’re all happy with how well things have worked out. 

While it was warmer, I started a relaxing Saturday morning ritual. I enjoyed taking an hour or so to relax outside on our rooftop with a cup of coffee. I’m looking forward to resuming that little ritual in the spring when things warm up a bit.

And that’s it for the DC CopyPro 2023 wrap-up

Aside from the shakeup with my team at work, it’s pretty much been business as usual ‘round these parts. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe I left teaching three years ago. But my new copywriting job feels less like my “new job” and more like my “current job.”

With the holiday season upon us, I’d like to wish all my family, friends, and followers a Merry Christmas and all the best in the new year. If you celebrate another holiday at this time of year, I hope you enjoy that, too.

Thank you for all the support—none of this happens without you! If you’re in the giving spirit, you can give me a great gift for free! Every like, comment, or share helps me get more exposure and grow my audience. To my regular followers who like my posts daily (you know who you are), I can’t thank you enough. I trust you know how much your support is appreciated.

Again, I wish you all the best in 2024! Looking forward to continuing the journey with you in the new year!

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