January 2023 Plans & Goals

This essay originally appeared in the Monday morning newsletter on 1/16/23.

January 16 already!

Did you know tomorrow is the unofficial “Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day?” 

Sometimes I wonder if we get the whole New Year’s resolutions thing wrong – moving right into everything after the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Don’t we just need a breather first?!

For me, one upside that has come out of more flexible working arrangements is now being able to spend the first week or so of January home in Florida. There’s something really nice about not packing up and leaving right after the holidays and working the first week of the new year at my parent’s. The sun and warm temps don’t hurt either 

That also means that I don’t really feel like I get my new year started until I’m back in my own apartment, which is around the second week in January. 

But I have to tell you – I really like this approach! It’s gentler and more relaxed. 

So if you are looking for a fresh start, you haven’t missed your chance! Consider using this midway mark for the first month of the year as your motivation. Sharing the three planning questions I reflected on this past week as I planned out the rest of January, and the goals I hope to accomplish, in case it’s helpful –

What do I love about the month of January?

• Spending the first part of it at home in Florida with family!
• That fresh-start, ready-to-organize feeling. I love New Year energy 
• The slower pace, especially socially. It’s nice to take a beat and have some open space on the calendar.

Anything unique about this January?

• This already happened… but stayed a week home in Florida and an overnight in Indianapolis before settling down in Chicago for the rest of the month.
• Currently my biggest (and most stressful) project is set to launch at the end of this month. I know it is going to be a pretty intensive month workwise.

How do I want to feel at the end of January?

• Proud of how I’ve navigated and managed through a full workload.
• Organized for the year ahead, including physically with some clutter cleared and financially with some more mindful spending after the fun of the holiday season.

January 2023 Goals

• No shop January! I’ve done a version of no-shop-January (no clothes, shoes, etc.) for a couple of years now. I love it. For me, it’s the easiest season to do something like this (winter!), but also, it just feels like a good reset after the fun holiday shopping in previous months. Makes me more mindful for purchases moving forward too.
• Get outside every day. This is inspired by my time in Florida at the beginning of the month but feels almost more necessary back in Chicago. Working from home, it’s all too easy to stay in my apartment all day, but I always feel better when I get outside, even just for a few minutes. This also feels doable. I also know this month is going to require some early morning worktime that may take the place of my run or morning reading time. But going outside daily feels achievable – even with a heavier workload – and a good way for me to take a beat and check in with myself.
• Clean out my apartment. January is the perfect time to do this. Waiting for a really cold, blustery Saturday to break out the trash bags and donation bins and just go to town.
• And from my 23 in 2023 list… planning to:
  • Send New Year’s cards (DONE!)
  • Get my eyes checked (scheduled)
  • Call family members once a week

What are you planning to do this January?