I'm Feeling 2023

Alright, so unfortunately it doesn't flow as well as saying "I'm feeling 2022" (Taylor Swift please write a new song with a play on 23 so we have a new anthem for this year) but the vibes are strong as we head into 2023! I am someone who absolutely loves the new year. There's just something about a fresh start, a reset, newfound motivation, and setting new goals that gets me. It's probably the Virgo in me. I like to think that I am a very motivated person, and when I set my mind to something I tackle it. I'm definitely going to need that motivation this year, because I have some BIG things in the works that I am SO excited to share with you all when the time is right.

I recently wrote a full post reflecting back on 2022, and I mentioned how I believe it was a year meant for me to lay a foundation to build off of in 2023. I am one of those people who really go all in when it comes to visualizing the life I want, especially before the new year by making vision boards and coming up with a word of the year. That is what I'm going to share with you guys here!

WORD OF THE YEAR: LEAP

I chose the word leap because it tied in with a feeling that I had for the later half of 2022. I kept telling those close to me towards the end of the year that I felt like I was standing over a ledge and could peer over the edge and see the possibilities on the other side, but I was stuck in the same place because I was too afraid to move. This year, I don't want to be afraid to move because my biggest fear is staying content. In 2023 I'm going to take the leap and leap into the possibilities of the life I want to build for myself.

VISION BOARD

I'm starting to get really personal here now, but this is the vision board I've created for the biggest things that I want out of the new year. One of the biggest things I want to do is travel more. I have a big goal of seeing all 50 states and have gone to about half of them so far. The biggest ones on my list that I want to see in 2023 are Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Michigan, California, and Maine. I am planning to hopefully go to Boston to visit a friend and we've talked about doing an east coast road trip so there could be more stops added. Some of the other items seem to fall in line with what most people want to accomplish in the new year, which include paying off debts, saving more money, and getting into better shape. All of which I also hope to accomplish. I have alluded to this many times on my social media, but I have some big things in the works creatively, you may have even noticed some changes already if you've been paying attention and so they also found their place on the vision board.

MY HOLY GRAIL

This next item I'm going to mention has quite literally changed my life, and it's called a Passion Planner. One of my old managers when I worked at Texas Roadhouse in high school actually introduced it to me and I've used it ever since, so for about nine years now. I love it because it was created for those who are incredibly goal oriented. It checks in with you at the beginning of the year, middle of the year, and the end of the year to go over your big goals. It also has you pick one of your big goals each month to break down and work on. It then takes you to your weekly schedule and helps you find your focus for each day, while also giving you a positive quote, and has you reflect on the good things that happened during your week. At the end of each month, there is also a check-in to go over what went well and what didn't and has guided prompts to figure out how you can improve. Not to be a salesman, but if you are also interested in this you can get your Passion Planner here, and you can also use code KIRSTENK038 for a discount!

GRATITUDE

This year I am also trying something new and am leaning more heavily into gratitude. To do so, each day I am writing in my Five Minute Journal. I hope I can give an update on how it has shifted my mindset in a couple weeks as I use it more regularly, but I have heard from people who have used it religiously that it has really shifted their mindset to search more for the positive than the negative. I'm hoping it has the same affect on me as I tend to gravitate more towards negative thoughts.

As the year kicks off, I love to physically reset. This is the second straight year I am participating in Dry January, where you go the entire month without alcohol. I participate because I feel like it's a full body detox and I can feel the physical effects, but also the mental effects as well. I don't drink that much to begin with, but it's a good time to really hit the reset button with the new year. I am a huge fan of the TODAY Show, and they had someone come on to talk about the benefits of Dry January, and they said that those who participate drink less throughout the year, are more active, have a clearer mind, have better sleep, lose weight, and have better habit formation.

I also would like to talk about one more thing that I think is really important. I am someone who goes to the gym regularly, but like most people this time of year I have a new motivation to reach certain fitness goals. It's so important to encourage those who may be stepping into a gym for the very first time or those who finally gained the courage to better themselves. PLEASE do not be the reason someone feels unwelcome.

What are your goals for 2023? I would love to hear them! Happy New Year ya'll🤍