How I’m bringing 22 Hard Things in 2022 into the new year

The questions started in September. 

“Will you do 23 hard things in 2023?” 

“What’s on your list for 2023?”

“Can you share your goals for the new year?”

And I’m over here like, whoa! We got a lot of year left! We’re nearly halfway through December, and honestly, I still feel that way. I have almost 20 days left of this year! 2023 is approaching and I know a lot of people feel like the new year brings hope for change and resolution. So, I want to share with you what 2023 will look like and I’m really hoping that you want to be a part of it. 

I have some big plans for 2023 and they won’t all be ready by the first of the year. But a little fun fact: I didn’t start my 22 Hard Things in 2022 until the middle of January 2022. I spent the first weeks making my list and I gotta tell you, that was healing in its own way. So, if you’re reading this in the middle of January or the middle of 2023, do not fret. There is time to do the things you want to do and live the life you want to lead, and you don’t need to wait for a new year to roll around to do them.

Let me answer the first of your questions today.

Yes, I’m doing 23 Hard Things in 2023. 

But new goal; you’re coming with me. 

The past year of doing 22 Hard Things in 2022 has helped me transform my life and get back to the things that I love and the me that can feel love. But of course, it’s not really the list that did that. It’s the actual doing of the things and how it affected me physically and mentally, that made it possible to take on life in a new way. 

So, this year, I’m still ditching the resolution to lose so much weight by this date or sleep better or be less anxious, and I’m again embracing the idea that I am strong, capable, and worthy of doing the things I long to do. What I discovered towards the end of this year is that this whole thing is truly so much better with others. Meeting my new friend Brooke while training for a triathlon, spending hours crying & laughing with my friend Rachel as she teaches me to sew, learning about my Dad as we do farm chores & workouts, sharing sourdough wins and fails with my sourdough queen cousin, having weekly (sometimes daily) chats about running and life with my sister-turned-friend, and long walks, hikes, and runs with my husband are just a few ways that including others in this journey, has made it more enjoyable and impactful. Because at the end of the day, all this really is, is life. 

But there are many others who have been alongside me for this year, and that includes you. There are so many people out there like you who are taking that single ounce of courage and doing hard things. And I not only want to share the hard things you’re doing, I want to do them too.  So, here’s the first change to my list plan from last year:

At least five of my 23 hard things this year, will be hard things from other peoples’ lists. Whether I’m doing them with you in- person or alongside you virtually, I want you to know that you’re not alone. We can do #23HardThingsTogether. 

The other big change to my list this year is that I won’t start with a complete list in January. There will be 20 things on my list (including the ones I’m sharing with others), and I’ll wait to add three later in the year when I change my mind or find something new, I want to explore. The list is about joy, not punishment. So, I want to make space for how I will grow and change over the year. 

The third thing I’ll say about the list going into the new year is that I want making a list like this to be for everyone. This means that although my goal is to complete 23 Hard Things in 2023, that may sound completely overwhelming and unrealistic to some people. And that’s because it can be, depending on where you’re at in life and how goals and lists make you feel. My hope is that you’ll try #onehardthing at a time, if a list isn’t for you or build your list however you see fit. Do you want to make a list of 23 things for yourself? I love it. Do you want to grab some friends and combine your goals to complete 23 things? Perfect. Do you want to make a list of five things to push you towards joy this year? Great! This all fits into #23HardThings because it’s 2023 and we’re doing the dang thangs! 

My list is in progress, and I’ll share soon, but until then – I’ll be dreaming of all the things we’re going to do together this year.