Writing my final post of the year is always a special milestone for me. It symbolizes that we have made it through another year. Over the past years, I have made the practice of reflection and gratitude a part of my routine. I enjoy taking the year's final weeks off to reflect, rest and reset. Let's wrap up this year together!
 
In this blog post, I will share my highlights, the lessons I learned throughout this year, and my hopes for 2023. Check out my other "Her Plan" for tips and resources to help you plan and accomplish your goals.  
 
Questions for your reflection
As we wrap up a very eventful year, I invite you to reflect on how things went.

• Highlights: what are the good or exciting things you experienced this year?
• Lowlights: what things went differently than you planned or impacted your life negatively?
• Lesson's learned: What lessons did you learn from the highlights and lowlights you experienced?
• Memories: What moments made you smile or cry tears of joy this year?
• Hopes for 2023: What are you looking forward to in 2023?

 
MC's Journey: Reflecting on 2022 and hoping for 2023
At the beginning of this year, I identified my theme: to "be brave to take on great things and take care of myself.” As I reflect on how 2022 was for me, there have been many highlights and some lowlights that taught me valuable lessons.
 
My Highlights 
When I set my goals, I had yet to learn how my year would go. I am very grateful for every good thing that has happened in my life. My top three highlights in 2022 are:

• Watching our son grow and develop: I have become even more aware of how magical it is to watch a little human grow. Seeing our son talk more and show his passion for music is a gift
• Spending time with family: We got to spend some quality time as a family and also see our extended family, whom we had not seen in four years.
• Thriving professionally: This year, I have had the opportunity to lead a team, work on fun programs, and also got promoted. It has been one of the best years in my career

 
Lessons I learned from my lowlights
Reflecting on this year with a growth mindset has helped me see all the lessons I learned from my lowlights and highlights. The top three lessons I learned this year are:

• Be open to adapting your goals: as the year progressed, I realized that I had to de-prioritize some of my goals in order to excel in others. It was a huge learning curve for me because until now, I was able to do everything I planned to do  
• Believe in yourself and be brave: There are times when you will need to prove to yourself and others that you can complete a huge task. This year, I learned that if I believe in myself and take bold steps, I can do great things
• Enjoy the big and small things: I was going and going on my quest to accomplish my big goals. It felt like time was going by too quickly; I had a lot on my plate and was behind. I caught myself sometimes needing a reminder that my life was good, and everything was going to be ok

 
My hopes for 2023
As I dream and plan for next year, I am very excited about what the year will bring. I look forward to better caring for myself, creating new memories with my family, and connecting with great people. The lessons I learned in 2022 will guide me as I explore a new chapter on my journey.
 
Final Thoughts - Thank you!!!
I want to wrap up the year with an appreciation for your support throughout this year. Thank you for reading my blog posts, sharing your stories, encouraging me, and being a part of my journey in 2022.
I'll see you in 2023. My first post will be on January 10!
Take care of yourselves and enjoy life!

Planning for the next year is very exciting. We get to dream about our aspirations and set goals that we want to accomplish. Reflecting and learning from our past is crucial as we prepare for our future. I have learned a lot of valuable lessons in 2022 that will guide me as I plan my 2023 goals. 
 
In this blog post, I will share the five things I plan to do differently in 2023. Check out my other "Her Plan" for tips and resources to help you plan and accomplish your goals. 
 
Restart my planning routine
Before the pandemic, I had a routine that I followed for my weekly, monthly, and quarterly planning. It helped me regularly check in on my goals and the progress I was making. As life got busy, I stopped having my planning routines. Although I kept working on my goals, I did not feel as connected to myself as I typically do. 
 
My 2023 Commitment

• Plan my weeks, months, and quarters 
• Go to my favorite planning location at least once a quarter

 
Take time to rest
This year is the first time that I am starting a year and committing to rest. My typical mode is to plan to do as much as I can. Prioritizing rest will mean that I will have to change how I think about being productive. All my life, I have been equating rest with being lazy or wasting time. I need to redefine rest for myself as a way to preserve my most valuable resource - myself. 
 
My 2023 Commitment

• Set goals and make time for rest 
• Plan time for physical and mental rest on a weekly basic

 
Reconnect with people
One of the side effects of the world changing and being very busy over the past three years is that I have been spending less time with people than I typically do. As someone who gets energized by connecting, sharing, and learning from people, something significant is missing in my life. In 2023, I look forward to more personal connections with amazing people.
 
My 2023 Commitment

• Connect with my community at least once a month
• Restart mastermind groups and seek out ways to build new connections

 
Take care of my mind and body
Over the past years, I have been dealing with gastritis and back pain. I have wanted to spend time working with a doctor to understand the cause and treat it versus taking medication. It is important to me to feel psychically stronger again. Alongside my psychical health, I also want to improve my mental wellbeing. There are some experiences in my life that I have not yet processed. At the end of 2023, I want to feel the best I have felt in years. 
 
My 2023 Commitment

• Introduce new physical and mental wellness routines into my life weekly
• Find accountability partners and companions to join me on my new journey

 
Chase my passions and dreams
Over the past months, I have been thinking about some of the passion projects I have been dreaming of. For the last three years, I have focused more on doing things that provide stability for my family and me. It is time for me to tap into the ideas and explore how to make them a reality. I am excited to feel the new energy that comes with following my dreams.
 
My 2023 Commitment

• Spend time rediscovering what I am passionate about
• Take risks and be bold 

 
Time for Reflection
What did you wish you did differently in 2022 and why? 
What are you committing to doing differently in 2023?
At the end of 2023, what would you be proud that you did?