We're in the last quarter of 2023, and I don't know about you but I'm ready to move on to 2024. 2023 hasn't been a bad year. I accomplished a lot and made a ton of personal growth. However, I feel "done" with 2023. I couldn't figure out why until I sat down and looked at what my original goals for 2023 were:
Renew our vows
Cultivate relationships with my kids
Generate consistent income
Read through the Bible chronologically
Start a fitness regime and follow it consistently
Implement home routines
Paint the exterior of our house
The only one that wasn't accomplished was painting our house. It wasn't feasible this year, but I'n hoping to have it done in 2024. We renewed our vows in June with a beautiful ceremony and took a small getaway to celebrate. Each day I spend with my kids, our relationship goes stronger naturally. However, I wanted to be more intentional about it by ensuring we spend more quality time together. I was able to secure a work-from-home job in March, that allows me to set my own schedule and generates enough income to make it worth it. I finished reading through my Bible last week, and I'm really proud of that accomplishment. I consider training for a 5k and practicing taekwondo my fitness regime. I enjoy it too, which is the most important part of exercise. I wrote a post about implementing routines already. I'll tag it below.
Change of Plans
At the last minute, I decided to switch from the Powersheets Goal Planner to MaskeLife. I'll share more about the planner in another post, but I think I'll be happy with the switch. The prep work in Powersheets is SO good, but I didn't think it would be beneficial for me to complete it a fifth year. I'd been considering moving to MaskeLife, and finally made the plunge. Instead of a detailed prep work section, MaskeLife gives you a booklet called 2023 Reflections. It's free with purchase, which is awesome. I love free things. I've been working through it, and it's been incredibly insightful. It includes prompts like: wins and highlights, challenges and lessons, growth and gratitude, what's working and not working, impact, and adjustments. It also includes space to write a letter to yourself for 2024, which I think is really cool.
Wins and Highlights
Reflecting on my "wins" and "highlights" was a lot of fun. Sometimes, I focus too much on what went wrong and don't think about all of the things that went right. Some of my wins included:
Finishing the 52 Book Club 2023 Reading Challenge
Reading 122 books (so far!)
Reading through the Old Testament
Generating extra income
Spending more quality time with my kids
Started training for a 5k
Opened a Roth IRA account
Expanded my community
Wow, that's a lot of great accomplishments. Thinking about the highlights was a little more difficult. The first half of the year went close to plan, but in July, I started my blog and Alycia Plans and there were some extended family issues that stole a lot of my attention. While I consider starting my blog a huge highlight, there were some others as well. Most notably, going to the Eras Tour. I was one of the lucky few who got tickets and it was honestly the highlight of my entire life. I've been a Swiftie since the beginning, and liked Taylor before she was cool. Anyway, can you believe I almost forgot to include that?! I was focusing too much on the negative, yet again. I also celebrated ten years of marriage, and began my journey to black belt.
Challenges and Lessons
In 2023, I learned I can accomplish my goals, as long as they're realistic. I can stay focused on my goals throughout the year, if they make sense. I also learned I've become more resilient than I was before. I can go through challenging things without spiraling, thanks to the right medications and self-care routines. I still have limits like everyone else, but they're much higher now.
Note: I won't talk about my mental health struggles much on my blog, but 2023 revolved around my stabilization, so I can't avoid talking about it and still be honest with you guys. Those close to me know how hard it's been for me the past few years. Maybe you can relate, and if you do, I want you to know it does get better. Take it day by day, and do the next right thing.
Growth and Gratitude
My mental health stabilized. I was able to get a part-time job, because my depression and anxiety are better. My faith and relationship with God has grown a lot. I've cultivated new relationships in my community. I'm confident in who I am and (mostly) know what I want my life to look like. I've made tons of progress with my trauma history, and let go of toxic relationships that no longer served me. I focus my time and attention on those who matter. Turning 30 next year has made me spend a lot of time reflecting in general, and I'm proud of who I am, and what I know I can accomplish.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to live a "normal" life. I know that's different for everyone, but for me it looks like having the mental capacity to think and the desire to live. After years of depression, I won't take this reprieve for granted. I know it can come back at any time, though I do everything I can to keep it away. I'm truly looking forward to the rest of my life and I don't want to waste it.
What's Working/Not Working
I had to think a lot about this one, and as usual, I focus more on the negative and can't see many positives. Our homeschool and cleaning routines are working wonderfully. My blog schedule is going really well, and I'm happy with how much time I have to spend on it. However, I have many things I'm not happy with.
We go to bed far too late. I don't get enough sleep and I need a more consistent bedtime routine
I feel a little overbooked most weeks. I need more white space in my days. I'm always doing "something". True relaxation is hard to come by.
My spending habits still aren't great. Eating out is our money drain. I think they've improved a ton, but they could still be better.
I want to go on more dates with Rob. Finding babysitters is hard.
My schedule in general is a mess most of the time. I know, this a shocking confession from someone who is trying to make a career out of planning. I've been in a slump all year, trying to find the "right"planner and planning routine. I'm hoping the plan in have for 2024 will solve that issue.
I have a few things I'd like to improve on, but I think they're simple things I can change. Notice I said "simple" and not "easy". It definitely won't be that.
Impact
I want to share my love of planning with the world, and teach others the important of making plans. I know it can seem pointless at times. I struggle with that too. In fact, a close friend asked me why I think we should still plan in these uncertain times, after I lamented about the state of our world. I told her I didn't have an answer for that right now. But I finally have my answer. If we don't make plans to work towards something better, we start to lose sight of what life is really about. We shouldn't avoid the good things in life because we think it can be taken away in a second. That's exactly why we should chase them. Our lives here could be over at any moment. How we spend our days matters. And if you're not planning how to spend them, you could be wasting your precious years here on things that don't even matter to you.
Adjustments
In light of that, here's some adjustments I'd like to make in 2024.
Expressing gratitude more consistently.
Going to bed earlier, so I can wake up earlier.
Stop spending money on things that won't bring me joy long term.
Leave room for white space, so I can do more things that spark joy.
Prioritize planning my day, so I know what matters most in each moment.
Reflections
Three words to describe 2023:
Growth
Reconstruction
Finished
Three words to describe how I felt in 2023:
Accomplished
Amazed
Grateful
Three words to describe how I want to feel in 2024:
Joyful
Focused
Faithful
What am I most excited about for 2024?
Seeing where God takes me this year. I know He has good things in store.
What area(s) of life will be my focus in 2024?
Finances and my blog (personal)
What am I going to say NO to in 2024?
Over-scheduling.
Spending money on things that don't spark joy.
Too much social media / screen time.
What am I going to say YES to in 2024?
Allowing more white space so I can have more fun.
Saving money for our future.
Quality time with my family.
JOY!
What am I going to stop apologizing for?
Taking time for myself and doing things to "fill my cup".
Life Wheel and Compass Score
Here's my current Life Wheel and Compass score. I tried my best to think about the beginning of this year, and fill out the assessment for that accordingly. I think I have a semi-accurate representation of growth using the wheel and assessment.
I think this sums up my reflections perfectly. I hope to make the most progress in my finances, whatever that looks like. My health and wellness could also use some improvement, as well as fun and recreation. I have a lot of personal goals in mind, I can't wait to share everything with you guys as 2024 gets closer. I hope you guys have a fabulous week!
-xxAlycia
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