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Hello everyone and welcome to 2023! It is an annual tradition for me to set some goals at the beginning of a new year. Maybe you do the same?
This tradition isn’t necessarily a reflection of any overachieving qualities I have. Actually, it’s more so to help keep me looking forward. Admittedly, the more years that pass, the more the passage of time weighs on me.
I think things like “Where did the past year go? Did I do enough? Did I spend my time how I wanted to?”. Sometimes, I can get really bummed out fixating too much on the time that’s passed.
Setting goals helps me to focus on the now and what’s possible for the new year. Currently, I have several projects I am excited about, some of which are continuations from last year. Let’s not delay any further – here are my 2023 goals!
My New Year’s Goals for 2023
1. Visit One New Country
This goal has returned to my list for the first time since 2020. That said, I did visit some new countries last year: Ireland, Northern Ireland (yes, I count every UK country separately), and Denmark.
I have some ideas for 2023, but I’m not ready to discuss them quite yet!
2. Visit One New State
Every year, I like to visit at least one new state in my own country – the USA of course. Last year’s new additions were New Hampshire and Vermont for some fall adventures.
What should this year’s be? More New England? Pacific Northwest? The South? Hmm…
3. Paint Our Upstairs Hallway
Oops, we forgot to do this in 2022. Therefore, it’s back on the list!
4. Bake French Pastries
Last year, my husband bought me an amazing, but highly technical French baking book for Christmas. I actually did manage to crack it open in 2022, but in 2023 I want to dive deeper.
Here are the specific skills I’d like to improve:
- Macarons: I’d like to perfect these little cuties so I can bring them to gatherings
- Pâte à choux: My ultimate goal is to make a croquembouche around the holidays
5. Continue Studying French
My French language skills are better than ever. I got super motivated to continue studying French last year because of my two-week Paris trip. During that trip, I even had my very first immersion experience while visiting a friend’s family in France.
Lately, I’ve been watching some French shows with French subtitles to improve my ear for the language. Otherwise, I enjoy using Duolingo and watching French videos on Youtube.
6. Complete Blog Post Experiment
This year, I am going to undertake a crazy blog post experiment to try to overcome my perfectionism. This is because I think I am spending too much time on individual posts, and it’s not necessarily equating to value added or blogging results.
So here’s the plan – over January and February, I’d like to give myself one work day to complete a blog post. I plan to time myself so that I have to publish by 5 or 6pm that day.
I’ve always worked better under a time crunch, and I think this will force me to use my time better.
7. Take at Least One Solo Trip
After taking your first solo trip, some things get easier and others don’t. I tend to get a lot of anxiety before taking any trip alone, near or far.
That said, I find my nerves get better when I stay in the practice of doing something. Therefore, I’d like to take at least one solo trip this year.
8. Snuggle My Dog
Because no day should ever go by without snuggling my rescue dog, Bennie.
• • •
It’s a miracle, but I’ve managed to chop this list down from 11 goals last year to just 8 for 2023. Maybe I am finally learning how to focus?
What’s left are the areas where I’m especially eager to see growth. Travel is always my biggest one, but learning French and pastries are really inspiring me lately. I don’t always know where my inspiration comes from or why, but I like to follow it and see where it leads.
With that, cheers to a fresh New Year! Wishing you peace, joy, and positive vibes.
