6 Must-Do’s Before 2023 Arrives
Not an exhaustive list to cause you a December burnout
I don’t want to overwhelm you. Neither do I want to add mental pressure on you.
But I have to share what I’ve recently learned. It will recharge your mental and creative energies.
I went to my nephew’s school to attend the new year’s assembly. During the event, the principal made an announcement that made me stop in my tracks.
She said: “We all know that 2023 is coming up soon. And most people see it as a new beginning. But it’s not.”
“2023 is just a continuation of the same journey. With.Minor.Tweaks.” she added.
You don’t need to change yourself and make new plans for the next year. If you do, you are more likely to have the next year the same as this one.
I can’t share the entire presentation here, but I can share some must-dos that she shared that could be beneficial for your mental, emotional, psychological, and physical recharge.
1. Write a letter to yourself
It sounds cheesy and perhaps a bit ridiculous, but writing a letter to yourself is one of the best things you can do before 2023 arrives.
In the letter, take some time to identify things you appreciate about yourself.
No matter how many times you fail in your endeavors, if you can appreciate yourself for who you are and what you have achieved, it will make a huge difference.
Also, set yourself some challenging goals and make a plan on how to achieve them.
Most importantly, don’t forget to include words of encouragement that you can look back on in times of need.
You never know when your future self might come looking for enduring motivation!
2. Donate at least 5 items from your wardrobe you haven’t used in 2022
This act isn’t about de-clutter.
It’s about reprogramming your mind to hoard less.
When you keep things that have been lying in the same spot for months and years, it’s like telling your brain to be complacent and become stagnant.
By getting rid of the items that you haven’t used, it shows that you’re willing to move on from a certain season in life.
You’re also sending an important message to yourself: that it’s okay to get rid of things and make room for new experiences.
3. Make a plan that’s hard to give up on
No one likes to quit.
But motivation, willpower, and enthusiasm wear thin.
It’s important to take the time to create systems that don’t require these ingredients.
One key step is to make sure you have realistic, achievable goals that are within your means and aren’t too hard that they become discouraging.
Additionally, it’s important to focus on the process instead of the outcomes — that is, think about what you can accomplish throughout each day or week rather than focusing on a final goal.
Once progress has been made, it’s important to reward yourself as you slowly build consistency with your desired behavior.
Finally, don’t forget to keep track since having visual proof that progress has been made is one thing that makes it harder for any person to give up.
All in all, put in the effort and have fun by taking each step at a time, and eventually, you’ll be proud of the journey!
4. Create a dream board
Dream boards are visual representations of our dreams and goals. We can make them out of paper, cardboard, fabric, or even virtual applications.
Creating a dream board is an excellent reminder of the things you want to accomplish in life. They also keep us motivated to continue making progress on our goals.
While it’s fun to decorate a dream board with magazine cutouts and glitters, it’s also important to use our imagination.
Think of the things that make you happy, or visualize the future version of yourself.
It could be anything — from taking up a new hobby, visiting a particular place, or getting that degree in higher education to becoming a professional in your chosen field.
Dream boards can also help you stay organized and get clarity on what is important to you.
So make sure to find a few moments each day to look at your dream board, appreciate all the things you’ve already accomplished, and keep motivated until they become a reality.
5. Get your health checked
Nothing can change your habits more than powerful self-realization.
If you think you’re not getting enough mojo and enthusiasm to kickstart your 2023 goals, it’s time for a check-up.
You don’t need an elaborate work-up — even the most basic tests like blood pressure and cholesterol panel can reveal potential issues that you might not be aware of.
Depending on how long it’s been since your last health check-up, you may want to consider getting a full physical exam.
This is particularly important if you’re considering changing your lifestyle habits — from starting an exercise routine or switching up your diet — as it will give you baseline information for comparison.
6. Take a break from your daily routine
It’s so easy and comfortable to fall into the traps of inertia and complacency.
Before 2023 arrives, consider taking a break from your daily routine.
This could mean taking a day or two off from work, going on a weekend trip with friends, or even just doing something out of the ordinary, like sleeping in late, slouching on the couch the entire day, or ordering take-out to treat yourself.
This break doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming — it just needs to help you disconnect from the daily grind and give your mind some much-needed respite.
The main aim of this break is to make you realize that “mental health” is more important than any job or responsibility.
The point here is to break away from the mundane and experience something different — this could be a much-needed creative boost if your day-to-day life has been stifling your creativity.
Which idea resonated with you the most? If you have anything else to share, I am all ears!
A Tiny Update
Hey, I’ve changed our group’s name to “Awesome Human Beings“ - Let’s become 1% better than yesterday.
If you’ve gained anything from this letter, I have some requests:
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Thanks once again!
See ya next time!
Stay happy…healthy…and peaceful!
Lots of love,
Darshak