My 2023 Countdown

I don't usually make new year's resolutions, but this year is different. I typically just start things when I want to start them, regardless of time of year or even time of day sometimes (see: me writing this at 9pm on new year's eve).

This year, I'm following in the footsteps of happiness expert Gretchen Rubin and making a list of things I hope to accomplish in the year 2023. It started with the number 12, so I figured I would just count down from there and find something for every number. I'm pretty happy with what I came up with.

Here's the list:

• 12 books
• 11 recipes
• 10 workouts
• 9 creative projects
• 8 short stories
• 7 random gifts
• 6,000 dollars raised for Dressember
• 5 small trips
• 4 games
• 3 coding projects
• 2 events
• 1 big trip
• 0 driving restrictions

Now, some of those are self-explanatory, but let's go through the list just in case. The fun part is that each goal can be associated with a habit.

12 books: I want to read 12 books in 2023. I thought about trying to read a book every other week for a total of 26 books, but I can hardly read a book a month, so that goal was simply unattainable. Instead, I'll aim for 1 book every month. I already have my shortlist of books to read, but if you have a suggestion, leave it in the comments! The habit associated with this goal: read for 30 minutes every day.

11 recipes: I want to try 11 new recipes. This comes out to about one recipe a month. I enjoy cooking but I get in a rut with my recipes, especially considering I follow a pescatarian diet. So by trying new recipes, I can expand my food horizons and help the dinner table stay fresh. The habit: cook at home a few times a week.

10 workouts: not just 10 ordinary workouts, but 10 different types of workouts. On the list so far are snow-shoeing, rock climbing, and kayaking. I want to get moving in different ways that bring me joy. The habit: routine movement and weekly workouts.

9 creative projects: sewing, crocheting, painting, sketching, anything creative counts. I'm already working on a crochet dress that should be ready in the new year and count as my first creative project. The habit: weekly crafting.

8 short stories: posted right here. I like participating in challenges for short stories as they give me a fresh perspective on my writing. I recently wrote a first draft of a book in 30 days and I want to keep that momentum going. Besides, I enjoy writing. The habit: daily writing.

7 random gifts: people like receiving gifts and I love giving them. So why not do it more often? These are gifts given for no reason other than me wanting to give it. The habit: appreciating those around me more often.

6,000 dollars raised for Dressember: I advocate for Dressember every year and I really enjoy the work I'm able to do through them. This year, I want to advocate in small ways all year round. The habit: wear a dress once a week.

5 small trips: to cities around me or places within my country. To me a small trip is anywhere I can go and stay for under $500. I want to spend more quality time with my partner exploring new places. The habit: spend less money (to save for the trips).

4 games: video games, that is. At first I thought I would start 4 and only finish 1, but I think spending some dedicated time playing 4 games is a good place to start. I enjoy games and want to spend more quiet time with myself fostering this hobby. The habit: spend 2 hours gaming every weekend.

3 coding projects: in any language, but preferably one I don't use very often. This springs off my attempt to do Advent of Code this year and really enjoying the challenges it offers. The habit: spend 2 hours coding for fun each week.

2 events: that I host. I like having people over, but I never host enough. I want to plan and host 2 events in my home this year, whether those be with family or with friends. The habit here: connecting with friends and family more often (it's a loose habit, I know).

1 big trip: abroad or somewhere for a longer period of time. My partner's family often talks about going somewhere warm for Christmas, maybe this is the year it happens. The habit: save more money (again).

0 driving restrictions: this is a big one. I don't drive. I know how to, but I have a provisional license and I don't like being on the road. I think this fear can be conquered with the habit of weekly driving. And then I can take my road test before the end of the year and be able to take all the road trips I want! The habit: drive somewhere once a week.

What do you think of my 2023 countdown?

I plan to keep track of everything through a specific photo album on my phone. This way everything will be in one place and by the end of the year, I'll have a visual diary of what I accomplished.

Do you have any goals going into the new year?