In 2022 I set forth on a quest, a journey, a mission: that for which I am destined. I supposed I conquered a few things last year, like the back yard. In 2023, I’m on a different quest.
It’s been tricky to narrow down what missions I want to make public. So in 2023 there are a few public goals, a few more secret goals, and some other odds and ends like a word for the year.
On to this year’s mission!
Move More Sit Less
I sit all day for work, then I stand and make dinner. Then I sit to eat dinner and I sit to read books. And sometimes I putter around my yard and call it gardening, but most of the time I sit.
In January I moved more and sat less. The FitBit Charge tells me that over the last twenty-eight days I walked a minimum of 3000 steps per day. My average number of steps was 3,472.
The most steps I’ve walked was 6,134. The “lifetime” number of steps walked since I bought the FitBit in January is 124,600.
Given that I started January with no idea how much I did or did not move, I’m delighted!
Last month said that I’d signed up for three different Conqueror Virtual Challenges on a total whim; I’ll tell you more about how the virtual challenges work later this month. Essentially to “win” the year-long event, I have 175 miles in those three different challenges.
The good news?? I finished one of those challenges and am nearly done with challenge number two!
All this movement will surely help when I get on the plane for a top secret thingie happening in April.
All Things Writing
Last year I finished the first draft of a novel. This year I want to finish the second draft. I also enjoyed posting twice a month here, so let’s see if I can meet or exceed that one in 2023.
- That second draft is starting to pester me, so I’ve started to take notes. The thing is warping into something completely different than the first draft. Sigh. That’s how writing works.
- I did add two posts in January: Mission 2023 and I announced that I’m an affiliate at Bookshop in Year In Books 2023
- I published my first newsletter in years. It included a couple of things that are not on this blog, and it’s where I announced the Bookshop affiliation. Not a subscriber? Jump on that mailing list.
Finish All The Projects
If you’ve owned a home, you know that the list of projects never end. And to be honest, I don’t think I’ll finish ALL of the projects. But this year, I’d like to knock a few of those things that I’ve been thinking about for a long time right off the list.
This part of the mission is more about consistently making an effort to do the things…all the things…even the little things like take that pile of things to the thrift store or break down the boxes and put them in the car and haul them off to the recycling center.
In January I got a load of stuff taken to the thrift store. I’ve been creating another pile of things for yet another load.
Secret Things
There are a handful of other things I’m hoping will happen. I mean, one of them is definitely going to happen in April.
The plane tickets and hotel are already booked. I’m thinking about what to do while in that city, and what to wear in the parade (for real.)
Year In Books
This year I’m a Bookshop affiliate. Bookshop actively supports local, independent bookstores and has even given more than 80% of their profit margin to independent bookstores. I even have my own store on Bookshop!
I’m making an effort to buy some books from Bookshop, and others from Sleepy Dog Books, my local independent bookstore.
(Disclosure: All of the links to books are Bookshop.org affiliate links. If you click through the link and finalize a purchase, I earn a commission.)
In January I read
- Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
- The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal
- The Cartographers by Pen Shepherd. My favorite so far: maps, murders, and mysteries!
- Flying Solo by Linda Holmes
Word of the Year
Action is the word of the year. I want to accomplish, do, go, make things happen.
That’s definitely how January felt.
To keep taking action, I ask myself what little tiny baby step can I take to move forward.
That seems to work… otherwise I get overwhelmed with “how can I make this major thing happen right now.”
Baby steps are where the action is for me!
How do you keep moving forward? What little tricks do you use?
Guiding Thought
As I went through the process of thinking about my mission for the year, the one thing that I kept returning to was: what was life like before the internet? Do more of that!
I remember life before the internet. It was so very, very different, and more simple. But with AI coming on full force (have you heard about the capabilities of ChatGPT?) it seems like the time to be less on a computer and more, well, away from the computer.
Before the internet I was outside more. So in January, I actually got outside and walked at a nearby park. I walked with a friend outside once a week, too.
Just For Fun: Colorwise.Me
Back in the 80s the Color Me Beautiful book was all the rage. I learned that – in that color system – I am considered a “winter.” Being a winter means I look best in deep jewel tones, and it’s why I wear so much black, navy, and red.
In January I stumbled upon Colorwise.me which analyzes your personal colors.
You take a selfie either by a window or outside. Then upload to the site and it tells you your best colors. You may have to do it a couple of times: it initially thought I was a Spring.
Eventually it confirmed that I’m a deep winter and spit out recommended colors — my favorites 🙂
Quote of the Month
Did you know there is a collection of thought-provoking quotes up at the top of the blog? Once that page displays and you’ve absorbed the words, click “Next Quote” to see another and another and another.
“Watch out for the intellect, because it knows so much it knows nothing and leaves you hanging upside down, mouthing knowledge as your heart falls out of your mouth.”
Anne Sexton
Your Turn
Tell me how your “missions” are going this year. Read any good books lately?
