23 for 2023 List — When Home is Now Here

Since 2019, the bestie and I have dedicated one of our weekly walk and talks to discussing our yearly lists. Both of us are huge fans of the Happier podcast (she’s the one who got me hooked), so it only seems natural that we create a yearly list and hold each other accountable. I love sharing our goals and look forward to this call every year. Over the years, she’s given me so much help troubleshooting goals that never seem to budge and never laughs at my completely random items (we’ll call them whimsical).

Almost as powerful as the lists, are the one-word themes we choose. I like to use the one-word theme as the overarching, big goal that all of the list items feed into. In the past, my words have been: positivity, more/less, open, and healthier. Last year may have been the most successful year I’ve had thus far in living my word.

I made so many strides toward living a healthier life, both physically and mentally, that I knew the 2023 word would have to reflect the desire to be a masterpiece and a work-in-progress at the same time. With that the one-word theme for 2023 was born:

To be honest, I flipped between momentum and build, but to me build resonates more. Momentum seems passive, like hanging on to a spinning ride, whereas build makes me the architect of the future. It acknowledges the solid foundation with the vision for more.

As I was shaping the 23 for 2023 list, I started to question whether or not I was doing too much. In the end, I decided to shoot for the stars. So here they are:

Organize our life files
One would think with the frequency with which we move all of our important documents are neatly organized and easy to find… and they would be wrong. Here’s to labeling, organizing and ensuring we don’t lose those important items (like my Social Security Card… again).
Dedicate 1 hour per day during the workweek to writing
If you read the 22 for 2022 update, you know that I wanted to participate in NaNoWriMo and chickened out. This is the revised goal for this year. Writing no matter what — whether it’s a blog or tickling out a story idea.
Run another marathon
To throw it way, way back to my 19 for 2019 list, I let fear win and removed this colossal accomplishment from my list thinking I couldn’t face it if I didn’t finish (which I did). Not this time. The running buddy and I are already registered for Prague in May, so here comes training and hopefully a gold star this time around.
Cook with the seasons twice a month
Last year I found the joy in learning how to cook and I want to further my skills. This aim addresses my desire to be out at a market and purchase whatever looks fresh and whip up something.
Have a social media free wakeup
This is one of my biggest negative habits. I open alllllllll of the social media apps as soon as I open my eyes. I scroll for up to an hour before I even get out of bed. It’s a time-suck on my day and I’m ready to address it.
Make my own knitting design or do a test knit
Everything that I’ve knit so far has been a pattern, so I’m basically really good at following instructions at this point. This year I’d like to push my skills and either come up with my own design or test knit a pattern. Test knitting happens before the pattern is officially released and knitters give feedback or help designers catch mistakes.
Connect with friends in person and across the ocean twice a week
If you know me, you’ve probably experienced this: living overseas is brutal on relationships. The time zone difference (I love you West Coast people) makes it hard to connect and as a true introvert, weeks and months go by without talking to those who mean the most to me. I love you. I miss you. I’m doing better this year. Promise.
Eat one meal mindfully every day
Yet another aim to help me put down my damn phone and concentrate on what’s in front of me.
Redesign my website
I initially created this space as an online portfolio, but I’m using it more and more for blogging and less in a professional capacity which means it’s time for a refresh.
Eliminate photo backlog through 2022
Guys, I know you’re sick of hearing about this (trust me, I am too). My goal is everything edited and sorted from 2017 to now (told you it’s bad).
Create a family cookbook
Again, if you read the 22 for 2022 update, you know I made a whole ton of new recipes last year. I’m always disappointed by published cookbooks because I usually only make a couple from the book. I want to organize all of our tried and trues into a book for us so we have something we actually make on each page.
Get a body composition and metabolic analysis
I have access to a BOD POD machine, which is one of the most accurate ways to measure body fat. I also have access to metabolic testing to gauge metabolism. Both of these analyses are available for $FREE to me, so it’s stupid not to get an accurate assessment of where I’m at to continue on my optimal health journey.
Host a party
My friends here are always hosting parties and I think it’s high time I return the favor and open up our home.
Make a wreath
I guess this is my “whimsical” item. I can’t explain it, but I have a deep desire to make a wreath for our door… like I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to it. So here’s to scratching that itch.
Finish a crochet project
Are you seeing the one-word theme of the year yet? Last year I learned, this year I want to get proficient (enough) at crochet. My goal is to make a bag since that is an item better suited for crochet than knitting.
Outside for 23 minutes in 2023 [#Outside23in23]
This is the Happier podcast yearly challenge and I have a feeling I’m going to CRUSH it. My two furry buddies are depending on it.
Send holiday cards
I love getting everyone’s holiday cards in the mail (yes, we have a U.S. address while we’re abroad so send away!) and I want to get in the habit of sending out cards for us too. I shared my stealth goals (aka the goal I’m not saying aloud) for this one with the bestie and she said I had a good approach for best, better, done with this one… so we’ll see where it lands.
Find a side hustle
As much as I love FUNployment, it would really help our travel fund if I could pull in just a smidge bit of income. Unsolicited plug: that said, if you know anyone looking for a marketing, social media, content person on a 1099 project basis for about 10-15 hours a month, please feel free to introduce us!
Run a country
When the run buddy and I visited Rome in 2021, we ran around the Vatican, which is technically a country. Ever since, we’ve been itching to run an entire country again. With marathon training underway, it seems like the perfect time.
Manage Jackson’s leash reactivity
If you’ve met Jackson you know that he’s a lovable ball of energy. Unfortunately, as he’s gotten older, he’s becoming more prone to barking at other dogs when we’re on walks. This is a major faux pas in Germany where dogs are expected to be like well-behaved children, so we need to solve this problem soon.
Help Mark create a minimalist wardrobe
Yes, I asked Mark if he wanted this before I put it on the list. My man needs some help getting that fitted, tailored look and I’m up to the task.
Clean up blog backlog
If you thought the problem was only with the photos, you would be wrong my friend. There are so many blog posts I want to write and have outlines for, but they are all just stuck in the Notes app on my phone. Also, editing the pictures goes with this since most of my travel blogs are pretty photo-heavy.
FREE SPACE!
I’m pretty sure I’ll leave a free space on my list every year from here on out. I love to highlight an outcome that wasn’t necessarily predicted.

Every year I want to complete all of the items, even if it doesn’t happen. I’ll admit, this year’s seems particularly aggressive… even for me. Either way, I’m here, I'm dedicated and I’m ready to BUILD.

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