23 Things To Bring Into 2023
Goodbye, 2022. Here are 23 things to bring with you into 2023.
- Compassion. Both for others and yourself. The world can often be an unkind, unfair place. Don’t add to that. Be compassionate.
- Boundaries. Boundaries make your relationships stronger, including the relationship you have with yourself. Understand your limits and be willing to kindly communicate them to your loved ones.
- More presence. Put the phone down when you’re watching TV or with friends. Instagram can wait. This moment cannot.
- A functional sleep schedule. Sleep is everything. Do your best to go to bed and wake up at the same time daily. Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake prior to bedtime. Find little ways to wind down at the end of each day to signal to your body and mind that it’s time for sleep. When you’re properly rested, life gets a little easier. Not to mention, it’s hugely beneficial for your overall health and wellness.
- More reading. Whatever you like to read, not what you think you should be reading. Make sure you read more in 2023.
- Sincere effort. Give a shit about the things you give a shit about, and don’t be afraid to show it. Care about your work, your relationships, your values, yourself, your dog, your home.
- Curiosity. In 2023, chase your curiosity with reckless abandon. Get lost in a YouTube rabbit hole about physics. Read up on British history. Learn about the psychology of dogs. Dabble in the elements of screenwriting. Basically, chase whatever makes you curious and then pusue it.
- Opening up your heart (instead of shutting it down). Feel your feelings. Let love in. Allow room for aching when necessary. Get hella pissed when the occasion calls for it. Cry it out. And then? Let it go.
- Afternoon walks. When the weather allows for it, take an afternoon stroll. Walking has tons of health benefits including but not limited to improved immune function, more energy, and an enhanced mood.
- Phone calls over texting. Whenever you can, picking up the phone and having even a 10-minute phone call with a loved one can do wonders.
- Mistakes. Don’t be afraid to mess up in 2023. Take risks. Screw up. Learn from it all.
- More time outdoors. Fresh air is great for the soul. Spend more time outdoors, even if it’s simply sitting outside during your lunch break on a particularly sunny and beautiful day.
- Mental wellness, in whatever way that looks like for you.
- Finding new experiences that bring you joy. In addition to doing the things you know will make you happy, find new ways to experience joy in 2023. Become more curious about the world around you and inside your heart by seeking out novelty whenever you can. You never know what will stir delight until you try it. So try everything that makes you do a double take and don’t look back.
- Telling people you love them. Especially during moments when you’re noticing how much you really do love someone. Tell them. Always.
- Organization. Get your life in order in 2023. Get an agenda and keep track of your meetings, appointments, deadlines, and coffee dates. Make your junk drawer functional. Declutter your wardrobe. Streamline your budget. Get it together.
- Radical acceptance. Radical acceptance is a concept with roots in Buddhism that posits that suffering is rooted in attachment to one’s pain, not necessarily the pain itself. There is so much in life that is out of your control, sometimes things that really fucking suck. Radical acceptance helps ease these events by accepting what already is so you can focus on what you can control. One way to practice radical acceptance is reciting coping statements such as, It is what it is or I can get through this, even though it’s incredibly difficult. To be clear, radical acceptance isn’t about condoning or celebrating negative things. It’s simply about allowing these things to exist as they are. In turn, this allows you to move forward.
- Delayed gratification. Delayed gratification is basically putting off something that is satisfying and rewarding. The reason delayed gratification is important is that research has shown that people who are able to practice it are more successful. Not to mention, it makes the positive event that much sweeter. Finding little ways to practice delayed gratification in your everyday life such as delaying your morning cup of coffee by 30 minutes can improve your patience and emotional regulation skills.
- Chats with strangers. Strike up a conversation with your barista. Chat with the person waiting in line at the grocery store. Say hi to someone passing by on your morning walk. Talking with strangers is linked to a number of positive outcomes including lessened loneliness, boosted happiness, and an improved sense of belonging.
- Proving yourself wrong. Do the things that you’re afraid you can’t. Challenge yourself. Do the hard things because you believe you’ll figure it out. And even if you don’t succeed, the experience of doing something difficult and giving it your all is worthwhile.
- Gratitude. Find little things to be grateful for each day. Expressing gratitude has a host of benefits including stronger relationships, improved physical and mental health, lessened aggression, and greater empathy.
- Pockets of peace. Find little ways to bring gentleness into your everyday. Make your morning shower a spa-like experience by hanging eucalyptus on your shower head. Light a candle at the end of your work day. Take five minutes in the afternoon to deep breathe or meditate. When life gets busy, know there are moments of stillness to look forward to.
- The belief something amazing is just around the corner. And if you can’t believe that, hope that something might be.