3 Steps to Make This Year All About You
Is it just me, or is this year on fast forward? I feel like I blink and it's Friday again!
What is your word for this year?
I don't normally do this, but I decided to choose a 'focus' word for 2023, and that word is ME. Last year was a challenging one because I changed jobs a couple of times, I was hit and miss with some of my goals, and my relationship went through a really tough patch. What 2022 taught me though, was that I was not showing myself enough love, care, or attention, and therefore making a lot of things harder than they were.
So I've decided that 2023 is going to be different. I am allowing my focus to shift over to doing things that work for me, and make my cup overflow. Maybe you're reading this and believing I am selfish, but in fact I know that if I don't look after myself, there's no way I can give others what they want and need of me.
Step 1 for making this new year about YOU
If you haven't done this already, block out some time to sit alone in silence, with a journal and reflect on the past 12 months and look at what areas of your life you neglected, and how that made you feel. Ask yourself these questions:
What went well in 2022?
What didn't go to plan in 2022?
What areas of my life did I neglect?
What consequences did I see from that?
What would have helped me during the challenges of last year?
How can I incorporate them in 2023?
I had a lot of feelings coming up when I did this reflection, and a lot of ideas too. I knew I wanted to make the year about my needs, my desires, my goals, and my happiness. Last year I didn't put enough focus on the following areas:
My health - what foods I was putting into my body
Business - I didn't give it my 100%
My relationship - the one with myself that is, I stopped focusing on myself and put all my energy into trying to fix what I felt was broken
Spending time with family and friends (in-person)
Step 2 of making the new year about YOU
Look at the list of areas you neglected in 2022, and rewrite them. For each one ask yourself this question:
"How can I make this a focus in 2023?"
Make a list of different ideas for how you can start incorporating more time for yourself, to fill your own cup.
I also want you to remember that it is NOT selfish to want to focus on yourself, or to allow time to do things just for your own benefit. It is so important to carve out this space because when you are 100% yourself, you can then support others from a much stronger, and healthier position.
Step 3 for making the new year about YOU
Start putting your list into action! It doesn't have to be loads all at once, but start looking at ways to introduce all the things you have planned for yourself in 2023. Maybe you book a holiday with friends, find a hike you've been wanting to do, book in that spa day, buy that book you've been waiting to read. Find what it is you need and get it in the calendar! This step is so key, because it's easy to have ideas, and plans, but until you create time for them, the days pass you by and nothing happens.
Some of my plans for 2023:
Hikes with a friend (we have our first 3 booked)
Attend in-person events (I have dates in the diary for all)
More time for reading (I am reading before bed)
Save money for me (I am saving a small amount each month, and ticking it off)
If you have a busy life, then start with some small acts to get you going and to build confidence around creating this space for yourself. I would love to hear what they are over on my Instagram @_turnanewpaige_. Send me a DM as I'd love to connect with you.
Now,
Turnanewpage x
Comments