23 side quests for 2023

As I left 2022 in the dust, I realized something: the past year was undoubtedly kick-ass. It was one of the most impactful and revolutionary chapters I’ve experienced, and I hope to follow it up with another—cool and fulfilling in new and other ways.

One of my new Milwaukee friends, Amanda, creates an annual list of “side quests” for the upcoming year, in lieu of resolutions: 23 goals for 2023.

So, here’s my version. Because, though I like goals, I try not to bombard myself with too many all at once (especially with ADHD, I know that it becomes overwhelming, then frustrating, and my follow-through suffers because of it). So instead, these side quests are reframed to be more casual; low-stakes, low-pressure. They’re things to hope for and consider as I continue to evolve into my best self, in my not-as-new home.

My 23 side quests for 2023

1. Work more at a desk, rather than exclusively in my bed (lol)
2. Take at least two exercise classes a week (or, stick to a program in full)
3. Get my existing short story published in a literary magazine
4. Walk Wally to the river more, not just on special occasions
5. Take my vitamins, drink my greens
6. Read (at least!!) 23 books
7. Play skee ball as often as possible
8. Finally finally finally take up roller skating
9. Seek out more group activities
10. Plan a kick-ass 10 year high school reunion (class president things, lol)
11. Take a class that I can benefit from both creatively and in my business (photography, graphic design, etc.)
12. Paint our staircase
13. Travel to Door County
14. Consider a morning routine that involves less screen time + scrolling
15. Get a new client that I’m stoked about (bonus points if they’re based in MKE)
16. Be more intentional in the kitchen – especially when it comes to cooking tempeh in a reasonable timeframe
17. Write creatively! Wherever that takes me
18. Monopolize the summer with beach days / lake days / water days
19. Travel to a popular Midwest destination I’ve never been before
20. Start taking spin classes
21. Make Chad brunch every once in a while
22. Use my planner the *entire* year
23. Read a book start to finish on the treadmill

Chad and I recently noted that 2022 was about the big change. Now, 2023 can really be about digging our heels in, settling and building and making the most of our surroundings.

Cheers, a little belatedly, to 2023!!