Hi there,

Recently, many of you sent in thoughts on actually achievable goal setting for the new year. I’ve never managed to make my resolutions stick, so reading your tips was a welcome reminder that change doesn’t need to be dramatic or difficult to be meaningful. I’m trying to be more like a caterpillar in a chrysalis, trusting the process as things slowly unfurl. 

I’m starting by making time for myself in the morning—to read poetry, pull a few tarot cards as a journaling prompt, or do anything besides immediately diving into emails. Read on for more of your approaches towards cultivating a better and brighter 2023, whatever that means to you. —Aliza Abarbanel, Executive Editor

P.S. Congrats to our obé Fitness giveaway winners: Leigh, Katie, and Lucy!

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Creating space for abundance. Image source: Sara Elise

How Our Readers Are Redefining New Year's Resolutions

Alisha asked for your goals/intentions/manifestations for 2023 in newsletter issue #299, and we got so many thoughtful responses. Here are some highlighted ones:
 

My New Year's goal/manifestation/word is home. In 2023, I am manifesting and focusing on creating a home in my life (both literally through a new apartment, and figuratively), cultivating a sense of home in existing and new friendships, and feeling at home in myself. After all, my body is who I share my time with most!  —Elena P.

I saw a quote from bell hooks that I'd like to use as a compass: "Love is a combination of six ingredients: care, commitment, knowledge, responsibility, respect, and trust. As you go about your life, you can ask: the action I'm taking, does it have these six ingredients?" Also, I want to learn how to do a backflip. Because it will make me feel cooler. —Emily M.

I saw a TikTok of someone writing down their aspirations for 2023, cutting them out, and taping each one to a mini bottle of prosecco—that way, you have a way to tangibly celebrate every goal you hit! I loved it and immediately ran to buy the supplies. My therapist recently told me I should try to celebrate every win, no matter how small, so I'm excited to start shifting my mindset in this way. First up: Quitting my toxic job!—Kinsey B.

I have a word for this year: “Completion.” I want more focus and less multitasking. I want to do a single task and finish something before moving on to the next thing. No more piling up projects. —Erica B.
 

In 2018, my best friend and I started what we call "Goals Girls Chat", GGC for short. We hold check-ins on our goals and our whys behind each one via FaceTime since we live in different states. We have a strict no-guilt policy if you have to miss a chat, because no one needs that in life, and it's also understood that our goals can always be modified. These weekly check-ins have kept us close despite physical distance, and in support of each other's growth both personally and professionally.—Carolyn B.

My word for this year is VISIBILITY. After a couple years in the pandemic and enduring many losses, I went into hibernation and kept myself hidden from people outside of my closest friends. This year, I want to step back out into the world to share what I have been building, trusting that the right things will find me if I put myself out there and stay open!—Julia K.
 

Just passing along a great idea from TikTok user erinljones95, who gamified her New Year's resolutions into a bingo card. In her words, "now that it is a game, I am going to win." Genius.—Sophie M.

And here are four of your favorite apps and tools for getting it done: 

1. Year Compass: A journaling booklet designed to promote reflection on the past year and focusing on goals for the new one. 
2. Storygraph: An ultra satisfying app to track what you’re reading, with insightful stats on genre, page count, and more. 
3. Groove: A virtual coworking app aimed at promoting accountability and focus through 50-minute sessions. 
4. Streaks: A habit-building app that tracks each time you complete your goals (and lets you decide how often you want to do them instead of defaulting to daily.)

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