2023 Intentions

Alright, 2023. Right now, I’m filled with hope. Despite recognizing that the time is just a construct and the calendar flipping is not suddenly going to change anything. Yet, I’m choosing to find hope. Every year in this cursed decade has been trash, honestly. But, I am hoping that, perhaps this year can be different, for no other good reason than I want it to be. With that in mind, let’s dive into some 2023 intentions, assuming life will actually work with me for once.

2023 Intentions

In case you missed it, 2022 was a year that I solidly failed in the intentions I made. It was also the year I turned 30, so I am entering my first full year in a new decade. Ignoring the arbitrariness of it all, I’ve spent the past week or so thinking. Thinking, and reflecting and, most importantly, dreaming.

So, what do I hope to accomplish this year? And where did these intentions come from? What informed them?

Well, first off, I wanted to create intentions I could control. One intention I have is to find a non-toxic day job, yet I can’t control if I’m hired or not. But I can control how much time I spend job searching, prepping for interviews and only applying for jobs that align with my values. So I am trying to focus more on things I can control, instead of counting on things I can’t.

Secondly, I want to start looking at intentions that align more with my personal life goals and ultimate dreams.

Creatively

My biggest focus this year is my writing. I talk a lot more in-depth about this on my Patreon (going live the 3rd of January), if you want to know more details. But, I want to remember how to love writing again, writing for me first and doing so regularly. I also want to read more, tackling my owned books, backlist and overdue ARCs. Finally, I want to get better at supporting other writers, readers, bloggers and creatives within the community.

So, I want to:

• Write for me
• Read regularly
• Become more engaged in the writing community

Personally

2022 was hard because of a lot of health-related issues. From COVID to other illnesses to managing my chronic disability, it was hard. Yet it also helped me see, after developing stomach issues from stress from my day job; a job that drains me so much, the above intentions feel impossible after the work day. Well, that’s just not okay, anymore. So, I’m looking for a career change, first of all. The fate of my MFA rests in what that will look like.

But I also want to become a better freelance editor. I want to be better as a human, especially in my community. Learning a life/work/hobby balance is something I’ve never done well. I’d like to strive to do that this year.

So, I want to:

• Realign my day job and strengthen my editorial business
• Continue to grow my anti-racist knowledge
• Live more balanced between commitments and rest

Logistically

Of course, I have plenty of smaller goals, too. But also some logistical changes I’d like to make. I won’t list all of them because it’ll just get a bit unwieldly, but I do think I can group them into some categories. Like organizing my home life a bit (decluttering, selling unused or not-needed items, perhaps look into buying a house if I can tackle some debt). Or developing better routines in the evening and morning to help support my intentions already listed.

So, I want to:

• Organize home logisitics
• Manage my finances better
• Find routines that serve me, rather than stress me out

In Sum

To be honest, many of these intentions are recycled from last year’s goals. But, after sitting down and making a rough five year plan of some long-term goals, I think I can see what steps I need to take to make those goals a reality. Some of them are out of my control, but I’m trying to refocus on the things that are. But, of course, I’m also trying to learn to be kinder to myself. Whether that’s my own mental self-talk, or listening to my body or advocating for myself.

I hope to do some check-ins throughout the year, rather than forget about my 2023 intentions two weeks into the year. We’ll see how it goes.

Do you set intentions? If so, what are some you’re hoping to strive for? Any areas I can support you in (or, ways you think you could support me)? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Most importantly, remember: surviving is always top priority. Even if that means all of your intentions and goals go out the window for a bit. Especially if that means you need to take a break or slow down. It’s okay to start over. I promise.

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