Author Topic: Year of [Blank]  (Read 1121 times)

Offline MutluMali (OP)

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Year of [Blank]
« on: 18 December 2022, 08:55:50 PM »
I've been thinking in the back of my head over the past month or so that I'd really like to have some concrete New Year's resolutions for 2023. Usually I halfheartedly say I'll start doing something more/less but I never seriously try, and this coming year I would like to. Some resolutions I've been thinking about are that I'd like to start reading and drawing more consistently. Of course, I'd also like to fix my sleeping schedule, but that's always a losing battle.

I've been trying to think of ways that I can seriously implement "draw more" and "read more" next year, but I'm already sort of hit with the fact that I will stop maintaining whatever schedule I set up about three days in. Everyone says that New Year's resolutions don't work unless you're really careful about which ones you pick, so I already feel intimidated by even trying to plan for New Year's goals. Earlier I looked up on YouTube ways to actually implement them, and I came across this cool video, called "Your Theme":

It sort of introduces the idea that instead of having a list of concrete goals you'd like to achieve, you set a "theme" for your year, like Year of Reading or Year of Health. That way when life screws everything up or you lose motivation for the specific plan you set out, you can still find ways to achieve what you set out to do. This idea is really intriguing to me because I've never heard that approach to New Year's resolutions before. I think it removes a lot of the dread associated with having goals you already know you can't realistically achieve.

I think for 2023, instead of having the resolutions "draw more," "read more," "practice violin more often," etc, I might end up having a "Year of Skills" where I focus on building/maintaining my different skills or hobbies. (I think reading would count as part of that? It's a work in progress, I only got into this idea like thirty minutes ago.) Anyway, if you guys had to pick a resolution theme for next year, what do you think it would be?


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Offline Akomine

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Re: Year of [Blank]
« Reply #1 on: 18 December 2022, 11:56:25 PM »
I think the sentiment of having an overall backdrop for the year is positive. If ever you feel scattered, if all else fails, you can just work on improving a skill, and that will be a success.

I've come to realize the overall reason that New Years resolutions tend to sit un-achieved is because right from the get-go, you're already putting it off. Why wait till New Years? Because really, the only way for something to come true is to do it. There are a thousand excuses to not do the thing you set out to do, and it's your job to not give in to 97% of them. Postponing starting something is making an excuse instead of starting the thing. I say, just start it. The only way to build a habit in our stubborn monkey brains is to do the thing. Otherwise you're starting by making a habit out of putting it off.

Keep that trend line upwards, like CGP Grey said. You can do it. It's hard. You can do it. In 97% of those moments where you get to choose, choose the improve a skill branch.

You got this :)


Also I like his theme system journal. I made my own for free. Let me know if you want it. He discusses it here:

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Offline Naomi

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Re: Year of [Blank]
« Reply #2 on: 19 December 2022, 08:27:37 AM »
I had a really good discussion about this a few months ago where ifn your goals are too vauge, that's why it's hard to have any concrete success. For example instead of saying I'm going to draw more, set the goal I'm going to do a sketchbook page a week. Or whatever goal system works for you!

I think your year of skill building sounds so fun and I think it opens you up to exploring so many cool hobbies! Who knows what you will discover!

I've talked in great length on the fact that 2023 will be my Year of Travel! I plan on traveling on some sort of trip every month of 2023 from larger trips to smaller day trips. I also will be doing at least one hike every month because I've been slacking on that hobby that brings me great joy.

I think a theme is a great way to focus your goals without being overwhelmed. I know my sister used to chose a word of the year which could help set the tone of what she wants to accomplish. The theme seems to set a similar tone. Can't wait to hear what everyone elses 2023 becomes and we should totally recap at the end!
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Offline MutluMali (OP)

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Re: Year of [Blank]
« Reply #3 on: 19 December 2022, 09:08:01 PM »
I think the sentiment of having an overall backdrop for the year is positive. If ever you feel scattered, if all else fails, you can just work on improving a skill, and that will be a success.

I've come to realize the overall reason that New Years resolutions tend to sit un-achieved is because right from the get-go, you're already putting it off. Why wait till New Years? Because really, the only way for something to come true is to do it. There are a thousand excuses to not do the thing you set out to do, and it's your job to not give in to 97% of them. Postponing starting something is making an excuse instead of starting the thing. I say, just start it. The only way to build a habit in our stubborn monkey brains is to do the thing. Otherwise you're starting by making a habit out of putting it off.

Keep that trend line upwards, like CGP Grey said. You can do it. It's hard. You can do it. In 97% of those moments where you get to choose, choose the improve a skill branch.

You got this :)


Also I like his theme system journal. I made my own for free. Let me know if you want it. He discusses it here:
You're definitely right about New Year's resolutions failing because you're putting it off from the get-go. I think that's the reason I've never even really tried before, I just know in the back of my head that if I don't want to do it today, I won't suddenly want to do it when the numbers on the calendar change.

I also think the theme system journal is really cool, I'm debating whether I should use a separate notebook for it or incorporate the systems he used into my preexisting bullet journal (which may not be an empty, fresh start but has sat unused for at least six months and I feel like I should do something with it again lol).


"Life can definitely be that way sometimes. Such a shitty game but with amazing graphics." ~tenretni
"How am I supposed to work under these conditions when I'm not tenretni???" ~Namoi
“Finally this menace has been quelled” ~Akomine

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Offline MutluMali (OP)

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Re: Year of [Blank]
« Reply #4 on: 19 December 2022, 09:10:24 PM »
I had a really good discussion about this a few months ago where ifn your goals are too vauge, that's why it's hard to have any concrete success. For example instead of saying I'm going to draw more, set the goal I'm going to do a sketchbook page a week. Or whatever goal system works for you!

I think your year of skill building sounds so fun and I think it opens you up to exploring so many cool hobbies! Who knows what you will discover!

I've talked in great length on the fact that 2023 will be my Year of Travel! I plan on traveling on some sort of trip every month of 2023 from larger trips to smaller day trips. I also will be doing at least one hike every month because I've been slacking on that hobby that brings me great joy.

I think a theme is a great way to focus your goals without being overwhelmed. I know my sister used to chose a word of the year which could help set the tone of what she wants to accomplish. The theme seems to set a similar tone. Can't wait to hear what everyone elses 2023 becomes and we should totally recap at the end!
I remember you talking about that now! Also I agree, a recap post is definitely due next year. It would be a lot of fun to share what our 2023s looked like.


"Life can definitely be that way sometimes. Such a shitty game but with amazing graphics." ~tenretni
"How am I supposed to work under these conditions when I'm not tenretni???" ~Namoi
“Finally this menace has been quelled” ~Akomine

ME (MALI) FOR STAFF!!!!!!!!!!!! #Mali4Admin #mali4godemperor

Offline Akomine

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Re: Year of [Blank]
« Reply #5 on: 19 December 2022, 09:31:50 PM »
I've heard that the best way to do a journal, bullet tasks, anything like that is to write your tasks/goals BEFORE you wind down for bed. That way your scattered wakeup brain already has guidance. Also, to keep it simple and short. 1-4 goals should be plenty for 85% of any given person's days. Put that journal somewhere you will see it after you wake up. Computer keyboard, coffee maker, whatever. Somewhere you can't avoid it, even accidentally.

My friend actually had a wakeup scatterbrain journal he'd write in for 5 mins when he woke up. It would be absolutely nonsense gibberish just to clear his thoughts. It worked too, he could focus more clearly after and get on with his day more productively. I've been meaning to try it. I should write down to try it... in a goal list...

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Offline Cbddallas

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Re: Year of [Blank]
« Reply #6 on: 29 December 2022, 04:49:29 PM »
I always have a running list of things I need to do, mostly because of my job, but personal items too.  I find that the best way to stop procrastinating is to tell myself to pick one thing off that list and do it.  Just one.  Some of them are intentionally ridiculously easy, like "empty the dishwasher" or "make the bed", because some days are just like that.  Anyway, I find that even doing one simple task and "marking it off my list" is motivating to me.  I usually end up doing several, and frequently I pick one that I've been putting off. 

But back on the original question, Year of ____ - for me I think it will be Year of Making More Plans, such as events, trips, etc.  I think I'm not fully out of my COVID rut and it's time to do more.

Offline Yvette

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Re: Year of [Blank]
« Reply #7 on: 2 January 2023, 05:04:19 PM »
I'm so glad I just saw this, because I watched the exact same video and had very similar thoughts - though I took to heart what he was saying about having Themes for seasons! And so far, my theme for Winter has been discipline - which I've been having alot of success with. I started December 21st!
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Offline MutluMali (OP)

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Re: Year of [Blank]
« Reply #8 on: 4 January 2023, 04:30:16 PM »
I'm so glad I just saw this, because I watched the exact same video and had very similar thoughts - though I took to heart what he was saying about having Themes for seasons! And so far, my theme for Winter has been discipline - which I've been having alot of success with. I started December 21st!

That is so cool!!! Discipline is a great theme, I think I've been having success with mine so far too.


"Life can definitely be that way sometimes. Such a shitty game but with amazing graphics." ~tenretni
"How am I supposed to work under these conditions when I'm not tenretni???" ~Namoi
“Finally this menace has been quelled” ~Akomine

ME (MALI) FOR STAFF!!!!!!!!!!!! #Mali4Admin #mali4godemperor