What Opportunities Will You Pursue This New Year?

My wish for you in 2023 is to be open to change. What opportunities will you pursue this new year? What plans do you have to take advantage of opportunities that come your way?

Are you familiar with the term “she/he are set in their ways?” The older we get, the more we become guilty of this. We get into comfortable routines and do not want to change them. But what if we did? What new things could we learn?

Look for Opportunities to Try New Things

In 2022, I tried many new things. It was fun and frustrating at the same time. But, primarily enjoyable! Here’s a list of a few things I imbibed in:

• Listening to podcasts
• Learning and following Stoicism
• Intermittent fasting
• Meditating
• Self-care
• Shopping at small businesses

Did you try anything new in 2022, and if so, how did it go? Will you be carrying it through into 2023? I’ll be taking everything on my list forward except for intermittent fasting. It was too hard for me to make my life work around that eating plan.

New Year Changes Spur Growth

It’s comfortable to stay the same, which is why most people do. Were you thrilled with how 2022 worked out for you and your family? I will go out on a limb here and say probably not. Sure, it might have been an okay year, but it wasn’t an incredible year, correct?

I hope that you change it up a bit in 2023. And if you despise change, it is okay to take baby steps. My high-school teacher once asked our class to change the way we put on our shoes. He suggested we do it for one week. If we typically put our right shoe on first, he said to put on our left instead. It was weird at first; however, I was already used to it by day three. His point was that change doesn’t need to be drastic. Moreover, if you make small changes, you realize it is not as scary as you think. Practicing minor changes makes the transition to significant changes easier.

I have never forgotten that exercise. Is that why I am open to change? I am not sure, but I am glad I experienced Brother A. Edward Wesley as a teacher. If 45 years later, I still remember the lessons I learned from him; then I think he did his job well!

Opportunities to Take New Year Pauses

Do you ever find yourself on the road with the most incredible view of the ocean, mountains, sunset, or clouds? Do you pull over and gaze at them? Why not? Look at the view the gentleman has in the above picture. It is incredible! It is definitely worth pulling over to enjoy that scenery. I will stop my car and enjoy views like this whenever I encounter them. New Year pauses are a must! Further, it’s another small change you can add to your life, encouraging growth.

What view are you drawn to? I am completely mesmerized by the ocean. It is odd since I wouldn’t say I like to swim. However, I will stay at the beach all day because I love to look at it, smell it, and hear it. There’s nothing like a sunrise or sunset over the ocean. I feel so fortunate to be twenty minutes from the beach. Over the years, my husband and I have come to make significant life decisions at the beach. We both think more clearly when we are there. It hasn’t failed us yet!

New Year, Less Stress

According to Harvard Medical School, a twenty-minute nature break relieves stress. You can find the article here, https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/a-20-minute-nature-break-relieves-stress. In 2023, why not find a spot you can connect to and schedule a 20-minute break each week? You could pick a park, a trail, a pond – anything that appeals to you. Therefore, you will take care of yourself, enjoy nature, and lower your stress simultaneously.

Is there anything you always wished you could do as a child but never got the chance to? Why not try it in 2023? It could help heal your inner child, and it might be a lot of fun! Were you too chicken to ride a roller coaster as a child? I was cautious as a kid. I was probably twenty before I got the nerve to ride a roller coaster. Wow, did I love it! I became a big fan immediately.

You Can Reset Any Day

While the new year is when we reflect on the past year and what we would like to do differently, you can change anything any day of the year. So, try not to get caught up in new year’s resolutions or goals. Be kind to yourself. Aim to keep your eyes open for small changes you can make in preparation for bigger ones later in the year. There’s no need to make 2023 a pass-or-fail year.

Moreover, instead of resolutions, aim for intentions (see last week’s post) https://www.outwittinglife.com/are-you-happy-to-bid-goodbye-to-2022/.

In conclusion, may 2023 be full of exciting opportunities that allow you to change and grow into the person of your dreams. Change can be difficult, but if you refuse to undertake it, you will be the same person entering 2024 as you were in 2023. Would you want that? Why not live a little, take chances and become a new you? Cheers to 2023!

As usual, kindly let me know if anything I have said resonates with you today by leaving a comment below.