Happy 2023!
It’s the new year! Time to let go of the hardships we saw in 2022 and set our sights on the potential that is 2023. Just like everyone else, I make New Year’s resolutions. I try to keep them concrete and attainable—I am an occupational therapist, after all. My goals are long-term, but I break them into smaller, short-term ones which are generally then the steps I take towards the long-term. So, here we go! All in for 2023.
Lose 23 lbs. Yes, a very specific number. This July, I met with my new primary care physician who listened to my frustrations and failures over losing the baby weight. Even after having a Mommy Makeover, I weighed the same as I did at 39 weeks pregnant—and my kid is three-and-a-half! I was at my wit’s end. A new medication plus a hard dedication to Orangetheory and one-on-one coaching via CoPilot has since resulted in a nearly 17 lb. weight loss. In the next eight months, my goal is to lose 23 more, bringing my total to 40 lost. That would put me where I was when Nate and I got married! Here’s to hoping!
Pass my Qualifying Exam. Hoo, boy… This scares me more than you know. I don’t know one person who thought this exam was NBD. It is a BD. It is a VBD. How do I study for this? First, I narrow the scope of my dissertation. Then, I lit review the h-e-double-hockey-sticks out of it. I am incredibly fortunate to have a strong support system consisting of many PhD holders who are also willing to help me prepare! Stay tuned for quite a few posts about this…
Be more present when I’m with Nate and Baer. I’ve actually made a bracelet that says “Be Present” to remind myself to do this (I also ordered one that says “Focus” because none of these goals are possible without it!). I struggle with being distracted by my phone, email, housework, work responsibilities… Much to my son’s detriment. He has started requesting that I put my phone away (face palm). If Mommy-o’s undivided attention is what he wants, then damn it, 2023 is the year I give it to him! Same goes for my relationship with my husband. I’ve spoken before about how we’ve struggled to keep our romantic relationship on track with our busy schedules, but this year, we are making “us” a priority and rekindling all that was once there.
Complete our home renovation. I have very little to do with this but it’s still a goal! We waited out the tenants, got permission for the reno from the village, and formally turned our home into a single-family dwelling. We hired architects, we have a structural engineer, we have blueprints… Now let’s get to the BUILDING!