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The new year is upon us. It is again time for new beginnings and renewed goals. Make 2023 your best year ever.
This post has 23 ideas to make 2023 your best year ever.
1. Make a List.
List everything that you would like to accomplish this year.
Do not leave anything out. Things tend to happen if you plan them out ahead of time.
Find a place to write your list down in digital format or your favorite paper planner. Make this your first action of the year.
2. Explore new travel destinations.
Are there places that you have always wanted to visit? Write them down and begin to research them. Make a plan and visit one or two of these places in 2023.
3. Try new restaurants.
If you enjoy eating out, make a goal of trying at least one new restaurant every month. Ask your friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations.
Start a restaurant checklist in your planner so that you can keep track of all the eateries that you visit. This list will also be helpful if you are in the mood for a specific type of food.
4. Get up earlier.
Set a goal to get up earlier this year so that you can enjoy more of your day. If you have little ones in your house, this might become one of your favorite times of the day.
5. Plan monthly lunch dates with friends and family.
Do you find yourself longing for more quality time with those closest to you? If so, why not calendar a monthly lunch?
Create a list of folks you enjoy spending time with and get them on your calendar.
6. Get outdoors more often.
Make a goal to get outdoors more often this year. You could start your day with a 15- minute walk in the morning or if you live near a beach, make a goal to visit the water’s edge regularly. Or plan time for sitting and relaxing on your porch.
7. Go to the movies.
There is nothing like watching an epic movie on the big screen. If you are not a regular theater patron, make this year different.
When you hear of a movie you would like to see, put it on your “to watch” movie list.
Some theaters even have discounts on certain days or for matinee showings. In addition, some theater chains offer movie clubs for discounts on tickets or snacks.. Here are two that you could check out:
8. Learn a new skill.
You may have always wanted to learn to decorate or do woodworking. Whatever it is, set a goal to learn about or practice this new skill each week.
9. Start a new hobby.
Have you always wanted to paint, do calligraphy, or learn to crochet?
Make a goal to research two or three new hobbies that are interesting to you.
Then pick one and get started.
10. Cook more at home.
Cooking more at home often is healthier and saves money.
If you don’t consider yourself much of a cook, watch an online demonstration, get a new cookbook, or do one of the following:
- Check out my post on slow cooking here.
- Take an online or in-person cooking class.
- Subscribe to a meal plan such as Blue Apron or Hello Fresh. Both programs give you a certain number of free meals to try their service. There are also a variety of other plans to fit just about every taste and diet restriction.
If the previous suggestions don’t sound like your thing, check out my favorite cooking site Cook Smarts.
With the CookSmarts app, you select what you want to make from their weekly menu. You can then download a shopping list organized by store section. There are instruction videos, weekend prep guides, and nutrition information.
You can tailor your recipe to a specific diet, such as paleo or gluten-free. In addition, some recipes allow you to choose which cooking method to use (such as a slow cooker, Instant Pot, stovetop, or oven), and the recipe will be adjusted for that chosen appliance.
I have used this plan for over five years, and all but one of my dishes have turned out delicious.
Get 30% off your subscription by using my friends and family discount code GIFTMAGIC.
11. Hone a skill that you once had.
Perhaps you played an instrument when you were younger such as the piano, guitar, or flute. If you still have that instrument, consider making a goal to practice a certain amount of time every week. You can even access music lessons online if you wish to start instruction again.
Maybe you were once known for sewing beautiful garments or quilts. Why not dust off your sewing machine and get busy?
In the past, you might have been known as a skilled storyteller. Consider writing those beautiful stories in a book. If you are at a loss for where to start, research some local or online resources.
12. Get a Library Card and visit your local library each week.
If you have never visited your local library, you are in for a surprise. Libraries are still excellent knowledge resources.
Most libraries also have an online affiliate, such as the app Libby. You can use Libby to check out digital books, magazines, and audiobooks.
13. Get Organized
Often the number of things we have in our homes leads to overwhelm and feelings of depression.
Make this the year that you de-clutter your surroundings and organize your life.
Many websites can help you with this. My favorite site for this is Flylady.net.
I have been a loyal follower of FlyLady for many years. In my opinion, it is the best site for de-cluttering and getting your house in order. You can download the free FlyLady app or check out the website.
14. Volunteer
Every city on the planet needs volunteers. Are you passionate about a particular organization? Call them and ask about volunteer opportunities. Here are a few other suggestions:
- Your child’s school or daycare
- Organizations that your children take part in (little league, y-ball, soccer, dance, band, or choir)
- Local food bank
- Animal shelter
- Homeless shelter
- Church
- Police station
- Salvation Army
- State parks and recreation
15. Be a tourist in the city or state where you live.
Are there places in your city or state that are considered tourist destinations? Are you curious about places that you pass by regularly?
This year, plan to learn about and visit several historical places or landmarks in your hometown or state. Be sure to take photos and document your trips just like you would if you were traveling to another city.
16. Exercise
Make a goal to take better care of yourself by exercising more.
Exercising does not have to be a struggle. Here are some suggestions on how to incorporate more exercise into your daily routine:
- Go for a walk each day, perhaps with a friend, family member, or pet.
- Go bowling or take part in another sport that you enjoy.
- Practice simple yoga exercises.
- Get a standing desk and stand in your work area.
- If you have a neighborhood or community pool, plan to visit a couple of times a week.
- Go for a bike ride in your neighborhood.
- Garden or do yard work.
- Count your steps while you are cleaning the house.
17. Create a budget
Is having a budget too restrictive? Budgeting is a very valuable tool in creating the life you want.
Just as making a list helps keep you organized and accomplish more, budgeting helps your money go further.
Here are a few websites that can get you started:
18. Read more
If you have never considered yourself a book lover, this is the year to change that.
Visit a bookstore and pick up a book about a person, place, or something in which you are interested. Or visit this earlier post for my reading suggestions.
19. Make a regular date with yourself.
Is there an activity that you enjoy?
You may enjoy shopping or going for a morning coffee run.
Or you may enjoy lectures at your local library or University.
Are you a person who enjoys movies or concerts by yourself?
By scheduling these items on your calendar, you show self-care and love for yourself. Don’t let the meanest person you know be the one in the mirror. Love and take of yourself because YOU MATTER.
20. Enhance your career
Do you love your job? If so, ask your supervisor for different or more challenging tasks to increase your skillset or offer to take on added duties. You could also search out additional training that could make you more valuable to your organization.
If you don’t love your job, look for a new one. Look for something you have always wanted to try, or search for career openings with companies you admire.
In today’s job market, there are so many possibilities.
21. Complain less
If you are a complainer, focus on the positive instead of finding fault or looking for the negative.
Do this for an extended period and notice how different your life can be.
If you have a great story, feel free to share it in the comments below.
22. Have something to look forward to each week.
Is there a family activity that you want to try?
Do you want to attend a concert or event?
Is there a TED talk or a masterclass online that you would like to access?
You may want to go and sit on a beach somewhere.
Sometimes the little things make your life exciting, so don’t forget to include these items in your schedule.
23. Start a side hustle.
Have you ever wanted to work for yourself?
If the answer is yes, why are you still waiting? Make this YOUR YEAR.
Market a product you have created, start a podcast, or create a blog. You can take many courses to accomplish the goal of building your new side hustle. If you find a course that piques your interest, research it thoroughly. Make sure you understand the costs and what is required before you commit.
If you are considering creating a blog, this can be a good side hustle. You can work around your existing schedule, and there is a niche and an audience for nearly every topic. However, this is not a get-rich-quick endeavor, and there can be a lot to learn if you plan to make money from it one day.
In creating my blog, I have taken many courses on blog writing, SEO, Pinterest, and various other topics. While I gained essential knowledge from each of these courses, the best courses by far were Perfecting Blogging and Perfecting Pinterest by Sophia Lee.
I learned so much from these courses; I could write ten blog posts on these subjects and still not hit all the highlights. If you are contemplating writing a blog, I highly recommend taking Sophia Lee’s courses.
Here is the link to access these courses: Perfecting Blogging and Perfecting Pinterest Bundle
I hope you have found some inspiration and that you will use some of these suggestions and ideas to make 2023 your best year ever.
Have a sparkling holiday season and a very happy new year.
xooxoo
Julie
