Reflecting on 2023: A Journey with Khanh P. Duong
I wanted to open up and share a few personal reflections as we step into 2024, a gentle reminder that life will always have its ebbs and flows.
This time last year, I concluded my final event on NYE and found myself in tears due to the weight of exhaustion, always prioritizing my business before anything else. It was at that moment that the word I chose to guide me through 2023 became clear: balance.
I entered my slow season by taking on photoshoots with creatives, walking my first fashion runway, and achieving the milestone of buying and paying off my new car.
To kickstart my event season's journey, I then flew to Miami for a client's destination wedding and finally checked Disney World off my list! And no matter how busy life has gotten, I spend at least an hour every day eating dinner with my mom on weekdays and have a monthly date night with friends—a simple yet significant choice, as I treasure every moment with my loved ones.
I traveled the world, relentlessly shaping a brand that resonated so profoundly that clients are now prepared to book my services without the need for a face-to-face meeting. Remarkably, that's exactly what unfolded. I continued and never missed my therapy sessions, as they were the single greatest gift I could give to my hyperactive soul. My partner and I also celebrated 8 years together and traveled across Asia (visited Korea for the 1st time, fulfilling a deep dream of mine). Of all the things I've done this year, nothing was more meaningful than this.
Despite the abundance of it all, I found myself saying goodbye to longstanding friendships that broke my heart. I learned you can love your memories with someone and still move on, adapted to living with crippling anxiety and severe insomnia, and faced the challenges and insecurities that came with gut issues.
I'm overwhelmed with joy and amazed at how much can change. I am also immensely grateful for all the beautiful memories created, despite all the pain and healing. I hope this new year brings you (and me) everything you’re looking for and more.
Cheers!
