It has been a strange year- a wet lettuce outlasted our Prime Minister, we got a new monarch for the first time in 70 years and a cost-of-living crisis swept the nation. But with the beginning of a new year, comes renewed hope and reflection on what might be different come next December.
With that in mind, on Thursday, December 29 we asked people of all ages in Swansea what they were most looking forward to next year. Many were hopeful that 2023 might bring them more luck, security and adventure than 2022 has and here is what they had to say.
People can't wait to have more sun-filled adventures in 2023
Although 2022 did bring record-breaking temperatures when a heatwave hit the nation, it might not come as a surpise that people in Wales are looking forward to going on holiday and getting a break from the rain. Bethan Thomas, 20, said she was looking forward to more holidays with her family and friends so she could have more adventures in the sun. Peyton Lee Brown, who was celebrating her seventh birthday, said she could not wait to go to Greece with her family. You can get more Swansea news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Read more: New Year's Eve 2022: The events in and around Swansea you can still get tickets for
"I'm waiting for the sun to come back out and for it to stop raining but I know we live in Wales," said languages teacher Lisa Greaves. "I hope just to be happy and healthy," said the 52-year-old, adding that travelling was also something she was looking forward to.
'I'm not quite so depressed and scared of 2023'
With a new year comes new opportunities for those who have reached the end of their careers. Martin Yallop, 70, is looking forward to getting a bigger pension and Diane Lawrence, 65, from Kent cannot wait to retire next year. She said:
"I'm looking forward to retiring so I've got freedom to do everything I want to do really. I'm not quite so depressed and scared of 2023, I'm just looking forward to it."
People from overseas are looking forward to spending more time in Wales
International student Lewys Tectonic is most looking forward to finding permanent accommodation in Swansea in 2023 after a difficult couple of years trying to find somewhere permanent to live in the city. "This is the place I feel at home," they added.
Robin Smith, 54, is originally from Neath but now lives in Dublin. He is looking forward to spending more time in his home country after enjoying trips to the Gower with his family this year.
Read more:
- The heartbreaking stories and amazing people behind the free Christmas dinners dished out in Wales this year
- Covid symptoms to look out for after mixing with your family and friends at Christmas
- Champers: The '80s Swansea pub that became the centre of the city's gay scene, then vanished amidst tears
- DVLA workers set to go on strike in January
- When you should take down your Christmas tree
