We’ve finally arrived in 2023 with everything intact. Well, mostly. There might be a few scratches, dings, and dents. Nothing a bit of whiskey self-love won’t fix, though.
Last year was a chaotic hot mess (seriously, who did the universe let into the kitchen?). Life kept shifting beneath our feet, and we remain unconvinced this year won’t be the same. After all, where there are humans, there are problems. Changes and unexpected twists. That’s just inevitable. Still, we remain hopeful that not all of 2023 will be madness and mayhem.
Every year, we talk about the things we wish to exile and let go of in our lives. This year, however, Alexi and I are taking on a new perspective. One that shifts our gazes toward things we want to embrace in 2023 rather than get rid of. After much-needed reflection, this is what we came up with.
Alexi: What I Want to Embrace In 2023
Ari: What I Want to Embrace In 2023
Lean Closer Into Stoicism & Buddhism
It’s no secret I’ve been embracing philosophies within stoicism and Buddhism to get a handle on my anxiety. And honestly, it’s been working for me. I had assumed the ideas of “being present” and letting go of things I can’t control would cause anxiety.
Mostly because the idea of not being in control stokes my perfectionism. I’ve been a Type A personality for so long, I couldn’t imagine not being a go-go doer. But with guides like The Daily Stoic and lectures with Shaolin Monk Sheng Heng Yi, I’ve found the opposite to be true. There’s almost a sense of relief and calm when I stop trying to force everything into place.
Instead of fixating on altering the world around me, I want to rebuild from the inside out. To have courage, inner strength, and calm in the face of a chaotic world. That’s how I’m choosing to enter 2023.
Cultivate My Inner Sanctuary
Being in my 30s has taught me that everything is interconnected. My habits aren’t just things I do; they’re ripple effects that impact my emotional and physical well-being. I know my cunning bad habits well:
If I don’t receive enough rest, I won’t be able to meet the day’s problems with a collected, reasonable mindset. Without that mindset, I’m likely to binge on foods that aren’t good for me and find excuses not to get off my couch. If I’m not careful, this can go on for days, and soon, my guilt will feed into this loop, too.
I won’t crack out the whole “my body is a vessel for my soul” because I don’t want to come across as that level of hippie. But I do believe that how we treat ourselves plays a direct role in not only our experiences with the world, but also our ability to achieve our goals within it. That what I eat, do, think, and feel can make or break the kind of day I’m having. Studies show there is a link between our mental health and our physical health.
In 2023, I want to further embrace self-kindness through self-care with a focus on nourishment, movement, mindset, and sleep. I’ve set a few micro-goals:
- Satiate hunger with nutrient-dense low-fat foods
- Any kind of intentional physical movement for at least 1 hour a day
- Get at least 8-9 hours of sleep each night
- Drink at least 60oz of water each day
The Backlist and Indie Publishers
Gone are the days of worshiping at the Big Five alter. Of pining after shiny covers and famous author names and the high of the hype. For the last few years, I’ve craved backlist titles and works by unknown artists. Where are the profound adult stories scribbled into existence by strange nobodies? Give me those.
That’s not to say I won’t be readying any traditionally published works—I’ve already pre-ordered a few books—but I want to embrace my quirky reading spirit in 2023 and read books off the beaten path. That’s why I’ve joined Reader Voracious’s Project Backlist and kicked off a 2nd year of the Adult SFF Backlist Books challenge.
What intentions do you have for 2023? Is there anything you plan to let go of or embrace? Let us know in the comments as we’d love to send support and encouragement throughout the New Year!
That’s a good alternative, I love it!! Embracing ourselves are so much better than rewrite ourselves.
Good luck & have fun on this journey xx
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