So we’ve got about three months left of 2023. I know for a fact that I want to make the most of them. 2023 has been a very trying year thus far, meaning I want to at least finish off the year well. Whilst this isn’t a list of my personal goals, it’s a collection of ideas that I want to achieve or implement by 2024. Here’s how to end 2023 in the best way possible with me!
Get a hold on your finances
If there’s one thing we all want control over as adults, it’s our finances. Whether you need to spend less or make more (or both), it’s important to know where your money is coming from and going to. Why not track your income and expenses properly for the next three months? Look at the areas of your biggest spends and see if you can cut back a little. Get cashback as much as you can when shopping online. Switch bank accounts to get a better deal for your money. Set up sinking funds for planned big spends. You don’t have to be amazing at it. Having a simple spreadsheet or highlighting your bank statements is an easy way to keep on top of your finances.
How I’m doing this
I basically need to make more money, I’m spending as little as possible right now. From trying to find new clients or a permanent job to trying to sell old clothes on Vinted, every penny counts! I’d also like to set up a better money routine. Ideally, I’d like to sit down on a Friday afternoon (when I plan my week out), update my budget spreadsheet, and reflect on my finances for the week.
Find a new hobby
If there’s one thing we all like, it’s having fun! However, us millennials have had such a crap time with inflation and financial crises growing up. The only time we learn a new skill is to earn money from it. Why can’t we just do something simply for enjoyment? Whether it’s rediscovering a new hobby or finding something new, let’s actually make our free time our own, rather than hustling constantly. The best way to change how to end 2023 in the best way possible is to enjoy your spare time!
How I’m doing this
Because I spend most of my days on client work, blogging for myself is obviously going to be a high priority. However, I need to reduce my screen time because my eye health is going to shit. My reading habits have been out of favour lately so I plan on upping my book game in the next three months. Also, I really want to get back into making friendship bracelets (mostly for next year’s Eras Tour but for F1 and WSL purposes too). I’m going to invest in a starter kit from Amazon and go from there.
Read more books
As I said above, not everything has to be for money or as a challenge. With GoodReads and bookstagrammers/bookTokers (I don’t know if these are the correct terms), we all feel the pressure to just read as much as possible. Now I am a quick reader but don’t most of us read because we just love it? If you want to challenge yourself, try a new genre or author!
How I’m doing this
I plan to read every evening before bed as a non-negotiable. However, I’d like to implement reading on my lunch break, ideally by sitting at the dining table whilst eating. When the weather gets really dark, I’ll switch up my morning routine so I can read before my day even gets started.
Cement travel plans
This isn’t necessarily to plan a big trip next summer. The idea is to just pencil in some ideas or do some research. It might be taking some local day trips or staying one night in your favourite city. It doesn’t always have to be expensive either (Premier Inn is good enough for a couple of nights and they have free wifi!) so try to explore somewhere brand new or incredibly familiar.
How I’m doing this
As you all know, my travel plans usually revolve around going to see theatre shows. That’s why I’ll be sitting down to plan out my theatre trips for 2023 and beyond. I’d also like to go back to Chester for a few days at some point so I’m going to price up a stay there (probably for next year).
Edit your routines
Most of us have routines, whether we think we do or not, especially if you work a regular 9-5! However, it’s not like we feel the need to write it down or use an app to track it. For most of us, we wish we had enough time to add something to our routines without taking something away. Working out how to end 2023 in the best way possible means making the most of the time you do have. Could you have an extended evening routine to give yourself more time in the morning? Sometimes, I think getting prepped for the next day the night before saves us so much time!
How I’m doing this
Because I have the privilege (for now) of working from home and being self-employed, I have more time than many for my routines. One thing I’m excited to overhaul is my morning routine. I struggle to just wake up and get on with my day during autumn/winter. That’s why I want to implement a slower morning routine to include reading and a hot drink in bed before officially starting my day.
Challenge yourself
This sounds like the opposite of what I said earlier about everything not being a challenge. But it’s okay to want to better yourself. Whether it’s getting fit, reaching a certain income goal, or improving your habits, setting goals for yourself can help you achieve something you didn’t think you could. It might be a fitness challenge, a lifestyle challenge (like Project 50), or something that encompasses a few life areas, such as the 12 Week Year.
How I’m doing this
Well, today is the first day of my new 12 Week Year. However, I’m going to be a bit softer than I was to myself during my last attempt where I basically wanted to overhaul my life. I want to focus on daily and weekly habits and make sure I focus on making each day count. To prepare, I spent yesterday prepping and planning for the 12 weeks but didn’t want to plan too far ahead!
Review your goals
Whilst you could wait until Christmas, you probably won’t be able to move the needle that much. However, if you take a look at them now, you might be able to focus on some of them between now and then. Maybe you want to start a new home project, such as decorating or renovating. Perhaps you’re looking at changing careers. Whilst you might not be able to complete this goal, you should be able to make some progress towards it! Baby steps are very important. Working out how to end 2023 in the best way possible means setting goals that are achievable but also push you a little!
How I’m doing this
I set some very big goals at the start of 2023 before reviewing them at the end of every quarter and adapting them. Once again, I’ll look at my annual goals to see what’s been achieved, what’s in progress, and what’s not relevant anymore. That will lead to my Q4 goal-setting so all of my goals are going in the same direction.
Carve out an hour a day
If you’re working towards an overarching goal, such as writing a book, losing X amount of weight (for yourself), or starting a business, find just one hour a day to dedicate to your goal. You might have to wake up earlier or even go to bed a bit earlier to give yourself the time. The idea is to have uninterrupted time to work on your specific goal so find that hour somewhere in your day. It’s easier to use the same timeslot every day but it’s not a necessity.
How I’m doing this
I’ll be trying to find an hour every day to write for fun. In a perfect world, I’d finish working at 4pm and use an hour until 5pm to write what I want! It’ll be a mixture of blog content and eBook writing. Because I have my content plan set for this blog up until 2024, I know what needs writing!
Plan something fun
Finally, one thing I think we can all agree on is that we all need more fun in our lives! However, fun is different for each of us. It could be booking some plans with friends, treating yourself to a shopping trip, or maybe just scheduling a day off to do absolutely nothing. Whatever fills your cup, add it in! Learning how to end 2023 in the best way possible? Have more fun!
How I’m doing this
If there’s anything I love, it’s my own free time! Even though I spend most of my days (and nights) alone), it’s not the same as planned time. Because I’m trying to stick with timeblocking my weeks, I’ll be scheduling in me-time every week. From beauty appointments to a solo coffee shop date, planning time to movie nights. Q4 is all about focusing on doing more of the things that I enjoy!
Let’s all make a pact to at least try to make things happen in the next three months. It doesn’t have to be all hustle-y but rather, focusing on what we love and really want in life. If you enjoyed this post all about how to end 2023 in the best way possible, check out my other organisation posts right here. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram too!
