How to Write Your “23 for 2023” List
During the tasks of everyday life, we can get so busy that it can be difficult to take the energy and time to pause and reflect.
For this reason, I’m a big fan of any exercise that helps us to step back and think about changes we might make to become happier, healthier, more productive, or more creative.
Often, that catalyst is a date, such as January 1—if you want more ideas of dates to use, take a look at the Calendar of Catalysts.
Questioners may protest that the date of January 1 is arbitrary, but it does mark a milestone in time, and is a cultural moment that reminds us to think big and broad.
On the Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast, we discuss different approaches to making change. For 2023, we’ve talked about joining the yearly challenge (#Outside23in23), identifying a one-word theme for 2023, and making a “23 for 2023” list.
Research shows that when we set specific aims for ourselves, no surprise, we’re more likely to achieve them. So taking the time to make this list can make a big difference to our happiness.
Over the years, we’ve seen the creative ways that people approach these lists.
How to make your 23 for 2023 list:Use the number 23 in a creative way, such as “Try 23 new recipes” or as Elizabeth notes, “Read 23 novels”Divide the list into categories, such as “Family,” “Career,” “Adventure” “Fun”Build the entire list around a single important aim, such as “Move” or “Switch careers”Build the entire list your one-word theme—for instance, “Earn” or “Fewer”It’s helpful to be concrete, and frame items as actions, not outcomes—not “Learn Italian” but “Memorize 5 new words every day” or “Use Duolingo every day”Consider whether you’re an Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, or Rebel—take the free “Four Tendencies” personality quizCreate a compelling visual display of your listReview your list frequently—I aim to review my list on the 23rd of every monthConsider making a list of only enjoyable items! Especially you Obligers!Share a list with someone else, to work on aims togetherPay attention to vocabulary—the same activity can be much more appealing, or not, depending on how we frame it, the vocabulary we use.
Don’t worry about whether you’ll be able to cross off all 23 items. Neither Elizabeth nor I has ever managed to complete an entire list! But making this list help us to be happier.
Want to make list of your “23 for 2023?” Download the free PDF here. We love to see people’s lists—it’s fascinating to see what people do with their list—so if you’re so inclined, post it to #23for23 on social media. We can all learn from each other.
Elizabeth’s 23 for 2023 list:One-word theme is SCALE.
Hike Fryman Canyon 50 times—she’s going to track in the Happier™ appFloss every nightGet back in her wedding ringsHike in Ojai with SarahTake a trip with friends from high schoolGet the perfect small cross-body bagUse her packing cubesRead 23 novels (this includes audiobooks)During the potential writers’ strike, outline a novelTry pickleballGet her mah jong group going againAlways carry KleenexGet two body scansWalk to MalibuFinish her will with AdamGo outside 23 minutes a day—of course!Host a family partyBuild up Daisy’s and Nacho’s stamina so they can go on hikesUpgrade her home officeThrow out gross t-shirts—both hard and easy to doGet a new robeGo away for a night with friendsDo Season Three of Fantasy Island—an outcome, but she’s going to manifest itGretchen’s 23 for 2023 list:
One-word theme is WAVE.
Visit the Met every dayGo outside 23 in 23Catch up on my photo albums30 straight days of cultureTackle one difficult email per dayMake standing haircut appointmentsBuy new underwearHave a summer of re-readingBe more systematic about connecting with friends and colleaguesBuy airplane jeansHelp Eleanor get a driver’s license and Elizabeth to make a willFigure out the direction for my next writing projectEnjoy 23 seconds of sensory delight each dayWear make-up every dayWork on my Muse MachineCreate a time capsule for 2023—we talked about this idea in episode 401Ask people for the names of journalists who might be interested in my book Life in Five Senses Start a new groupOnce a month, pick a New York City place I’ve never visited, and go thereEmbrace this year of family transitionReview this list on the 23rd of each monthAdd a “My Thirty Minutes” to my calendar each workday (and figure out a catchy name for this time)Watch a great TV show
Elizabeth and I have made these lists for several years, and each year, we’re so happy we did it. It’s a very clarifying and creative exercise.
Also, it’s a fun exercise to do with other people. Elizabeth and I have a great time talking about our lists together; sharing lists is a great way to spark conversation about interests, values, and aims. Try doing it with friends, family, or co-workers. You may find items that you’d like to tackle together.
Have you found any fresh ways to articulate and work towards your aims? Making a New Year’s resolution isn’t the only way!
The post How to Write Your “23 for 2023” List appeared first on Gretchen Rubin.
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I love this and have joined along since 2017! I have mine almost done and I always leave a few spaces at the end to add as the year goes along!
