The start of a new year often signals a change. For some, it means committing (or recommitting!) to practicing daily habits, exercising regularly, or eating a healthier diet. And for others, it simply provides a chance to start fresh. For me, it’s a little bit of all of those things, starting with a recommitment to posting regularly on my blog.
I love to read blogs, and have a few favorites that I look forward to reading every week. And for years, I’ve dreamed of starting a blog and sharing the recipes I’m making, the books I’m reading, and the habits and hacks I’ve discovered that make life a little bit more organized and a little bit more fun. In 2022, I finally took the plunge and started A Verdant Life, but I’ve been less-than-consistent about posting. In fact, my last post was in September.
This year, though, I’ve made a commitment to myself to post regularly. And I’m starting today with my 23 for 2023 list.
What is a 23 for 2023 list?
Simply put, a 23 for 2023 list is a collection of goals for the year ahead. It’s not a list of New Year’s Resolutions, but rather it’s a hodgepodge of goals I want to accomplish, habits I want to embrace, and experiences I want to enjoy in the year ahead.
I first heard about this kind of list a few years ago on the Happier Podcast, hosted by Gretchen Rubin and her sister, Elizabeth Craft. What appealed to me about the lists they shared is that they didn’t feel like a heavy list of resolutions that were destined to fail. It felt achievable. And fun. So I created my first one in 2020.
That year, I wasn’t able to check many items off of my list. But I’ve continued to create a list every year since then. And while I’ve never actually checked every item off my list, I enjoy the process of creating them and working towards crossing off as many items as I can each year.
I’m excited about this year’s list – it’s one of my favorite and most achievable ones yet. I’m not going to share all 23 items, but here are ten items on my list to give you an idea of what a 23 in 2023 list looks like.
- Read 36 books
- Try 36 new recipes
- Blog 1 time each week
- Walk outside 3 times each week
- Read 23 minutes every day
- Complete dry January
- Start a supper club
- Try 6 new restaurant in our area
- Print photos more often
- See a Broadway show
As you can see, it’s a mix of goals, habits, and things I want to do (but often don’t). But I find that when I write things down, I’m more likely to make them happen. That’s why things like “print photos more often” is on the list.
A few other items on my list are ones that I’ve carried over year to year, like reading 36 books. I’ve come close ever year, but can never seem to read more than 32. So this year, I carried over the goal (again) but also added “read 23 minutes a day” to build the habit of reading every day. I’m hoping that adding this extra little habit will not only help me reach my goal, but will also prevent me from going weeks on end without picking up a book.
Another item on my list that I’m really hoping to check off this year is “to “start a supper club.” This first appeared on my 20 for 2020 list, and well, 2020 had other plans. I didn’t make it happen in 2021 or 2022 either, so hopefully I can do it this year.
Tracking My Progress and Holding Myself Accountable
Because I’m a person that needs accountability, I’ve also started a bullet journal to track my new habits and keep track of other items on my list. I’ve included a place to record the books I’ve read and the recipes I’ve tried, as well as a habit tracker to track the items I’m doing every day or every week. It was fun to set up, and checking things off every day is very satisfying!
So what are your goals for 2023? Are you inspired to create a 23 for 2023 list, too? If so, add a comment with your ideas. I’d love to hear what’s on your list!