Pre-2023 checklist: Start the new year strong  

I can hardly believe it’s already December 2022 and we are all set to welcome 2023. The year brought a lot of grief and sadness in the world, but I’m hopeful that 2023 will bring brighter days.

We must be excited about the holidays and the New Year, which signifies new beginnings. However, the key to a fresh chapter is not to rush your current status. Thus, it is important to have a list to accomplish before the new year rolls in to begin 2023 on a high note.

Take a day off. Yes! Take a day or two off from work before the holidays. Spend some good me-time to recharge. Decide to spend it with slowness and ease. Read a book. Take a walk. Sneak in naps. Dance around to one of your favorite old throwback tunes.

Declutter. Clutter comes in different forms: a kitchen junk drawer, your phone’s camera roll, a closet with ill-fitting clothes or even your office drawer of odds and ends. According to Psychology Today, disorder can lead to unhealthy eating, inefficient thought processes, poor mental health and a generally lower quality of life. Tackle one cluttered area of your life and see how much it clears your mind.

Take stock of your health. Now is a great time to recommit to taking care of yourself. Have you been drinking enough water? Taking your medicines? Stretching after your full-body workouts? Seeing doctors proactively? Take your vitamins. Visit the dentist for a checkup. Make medical appointments. Why not get a head start on your fitness regimen?

Reflect on 2022. We tend to associate the end of the year as a time to evaluate where we should improve. We become critical that we even forget our achievements. Why not give yourself some credit? Even if you do feel like there’s lots of room for growth, I am confident that you have plenty to celebrate in the last 12 months. Celebrate every tiny bit of victory.

Plan for 2023. Things are uncertain. It is difficult to make plans right now. But envisioning 2023 may have you anticipate the future. Consider your goals in these areas: Personal Growth, Career and Financial Freedom, Health and Well-being and Relationships. Pair these with an action plan. I encourage you to remain realistic, keep a narrow focus and plan ways to celebrate your success along the way.

Finishing 2022 on a high note can only mean good things for 2023.

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Penny Bongato is a part-time faculty member of the School of Management and Information Technology of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. She is part of the Top 100 Influential Filipino Women to Follow on LinkedIn and Top 100 Filipinos to Follow on LinkedIn lists.