It’s hard to believe that another year and another goal setting season are in the rearview. I love Christmas and I also love November and December for reflecting on the year and planning for the next one. I used to be someone who had the mindset that there was nothing special about the new year in terms of setting goals, but I’m rejecting that notion now. I truly get a renewed excitement over the new year that gives me just that little extra motivation and drive – so why not run with it?!
I had my one little word, experiment, picked out in September and felt ready to start carrying it with me. I mentioned at the beginning of 2022 that I wasn’t thrilled about “engage”. I started to lean into it a bit as the months set in, but I didn’t feel the pull to hold onto it as tightly as I had with other words. Experiment started to feel like a bit of a companion word that was hanging on for dear life while I tried to stick it out with engage. So, all that to say, I’m ready to give it the front and center attention that it deserves.
I’m really trying to keep it simple for my 2023 goals (which fits in perfectly with Goal #1). The more I try to add to my plate, the more my priorities are stretched and I think these two are worth really focusing on.
Simplify at Home
While setting goals for the year, I kept coming back to wanting to live my life intentionally. I have found myself (I’m sure like many other working parents) feeling like time with my boy is already limited, so I really don’t want to come home and have to micromanage my home. I want to come home and play and eat and learn and explore and go on adventures. This being said, I do want our home and my mindset about our home to be one of peace and comfort (for both myself and others).
So what does this practically look like? I’m glad you asked. Here are a few ideas that I have up my sleeve to reach this goal for 2023:
Get rid of 50% of our belongings.
Meal plan by month and then recycle through meals.
Spend more time outside.
Track spending/wardrobe in a way that considers if an item is consumable and how often it’s used.
Complete our basement work.
Stick to a cleaning schedule after bedtime.
Paint trim and walls in our main living space.
Inspiration:
Declutter your mind, your heart, your home. Let go of the heaviness that is weighing you down. Make your life simple but significant. – Maria Defillo
Minimalism isn’t about owning less than you need. It’s about owning exactly what you need. – Joshua Becker
Less, but better. – Greg McKeown
Focus on my Health
I’m annoyed at myself because I’m dragging last year’s goal into the new year. Last year, I honestly made a lot of excuses in terms of how I was treating my body and I don’t want to do that anymore. I mentioned above that I get a lot of motivation and willpower from the start of a new year, so I’m running with all that positive energy in hopes that I can make habits that stick. I’m sticking to a meal plan and trying working out regularly. My thought is that I don’t have to exercise everyday, but I can’t go two days in a row without moving my body.
Inspiration:
Visualize your highest self and then show up as her. – Unknown
Below is my vision board and how I hope 2023 feels with both my One Little Word and my goals.
MORE nature, and plants, and fresh air. MORE intentionality. MORE time together, LESS scrolling. MORE chasing sunsets and big dreams. MORE embracing “The And Space”. MORE laughter and play, LESS taking life so seriously. MORE patience and grace, LESS in a hurry. MORE listening and thinking, LESS talking and consuming. MORE asking for help. MORE rhythms, LESS searching for control. MORE creativity, LESS perfectionism. MORE doing life on purpose, LESS letting life happen around me. MORE front porch sitting. MORE deep conversation, LESS stuff and things. MORE growth. MORE snuggles, and (apparently) LESS sleep. 😉
What a year. One that simultaneously felt a million months and just 2 months long at the same time. While we dealt with so many things we could have never imagined (dare I say…unprecedented?) just a year ago as we were ringing in 2020, this year was one of significant growth in so many areas of my life. I attribute so much of that to being able to slow my pace. I said to multiple friends as we were talking about the year that it felt like a time of intense Sabbath. A time of rest, a time of reseting, a time of learning and a time of figuring myself out.
I’ve been choosing a word each year as an intention and to help set goals. The strange thing about this year, is that delight has been my word for 2021since 2019. I knew open was for 2020, but delight just never left my mind. Delight feels a little like joy, but maybe more sought out.
delight (noun): great pleasure; satisfaction
Delight is an invitation to find the joy in the mundane.
Delight is an invitation to celebrate, to have dance parties in the kitchen with Kev, and just be silly.
Delight is an invitation to watch a beautiful sunset, or sit outside and watch rain fall, or take a long drive.
Delight is an invitation to continue the slowness I personally experienced in 2020.
Delight is an invitation to practice gratitude, even when days are hard or busy or stress-filled.
Delight is an invitation to get out of my comfort zone, but also to rest.
I hope 2021 is full of delight.
Goal: Number my days.
Why: I want to ruthlessly cut out anything that prevents me from being present, intentional, and LIVING this life.
What success looks like: More time spent doing things I love and less on social media and obligations. Feeling less rushed and more intentional every day.
