Marking my birthday the end of finals the end of second finals the last day of the year the second day of the new year with an annual tradition, and starting a new one: 2023 Yearly Theme.
A yearly theme is an alternative to the new year’s resolution. Rather than a specific goal or outcome, a yearly theme represents something you intentionally want more of in your life, and helps guide decision-making and choices.
Because themes are fuzzy and difficult to pin down — unlike strict, quantifiable goals — there’s no chance of failure or falling short. Instead, even thinking about the theme helps bias decisions and moves you closer towards the goal. CGP Grey’s YouTubes explain it better:
I had some serious trouble writing my State of the Darren 2022βΌ; to be honest, there really wasn’t much progress. Most of the personal progress happened in the first half (2022β²). I lost my sanity a little in 2022βΌ and let a lot of things go, although I did make progress in school and work.
Bearing that in mind, I’m going to set my yearly theme and review my goals in terms of that:
2023 Yearly Theme 1: Discipline
I shirk discipline and reject rules for as long as I can — but honestly, once it gets going, it’s easier to stick with discipline.
I’m looking for a lot more personal discipline in my life this year, whether it’s sleep discipline, the practice of reading more, setting time to study/get good at my job, or even just trying to eat healthier/work out a little more this year.
I also want to take data science more seriously; it’s my chosen profession, my full-time discipline.
Creatively, I’d also like to take my pursuits more seriously, whether it’s improv/hosting/teaching, or simply dancing. I’m looking for a little more of turning pro for my artistic disciplines. Writing is also a core skill, one that I’ve overlooked a lot.
2023 Yearly Theme A: Practice
Alongside discipline is a call to action: practice.
I say a lot of things but I rarely put them into practice. This year, I hope to perform more of what I preach, and take more actions instead of speculating and discussing them.
It’s also a daily, constant challenge to keep up with expectations and the pace of things. There’s no easier way to get better than to practice. (Right now, I’m practicing what it’s like to work at a desk from 10am to 6pm).
Practice, like discipline, is also a noun, and I’m thinking about regarding PPTK/Improv teaching as a kind of personal private practice.
2023 Yearly Theme Ξ±: Will
Underpinning the other two themes is the idea of Will; and ultimately, it will be the desire to deliver these goals that will get me moving anywhere this year.
I admit I went to Thesaurus.com to try to find words that resonated with me for my yearly theme. Structure felt wrong for what I was looking for; I do like Control but the note was incorrect. It felt abhorrent to be under the whip and chain of Discipline all year, but once Practice came on board, there had to be a third.
Will felt like the best word to balance and hold up the other two themes. It also fits into the kind of philosophy/self-help/male motivational blogger stuff that I read — there is nobody coming to save you, but luckily, you have everything you need to save yourself. You don’t have to do anything — you get to, and you will.
I will.
1: Physical Health πͺ
I’m taking a broader perspective this year. Last year my goals were about specific activities and actions that didn’t quite materialist for one reason or another. Instead, I’m looking at daily activities and optimisations.
2023
π§ββοΈ Rest Discipline Near the end of the year, I kept feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. I would like to commit to seeking peace, through sleep discipline (no phones in bed), neck hygiene, stretching, trying to find time to reflect and meditate, but also to unwind and not-work.
π₯¦ Practice cooking Wherever possible, I will try to practice cooking, cooking more, and cooking more healthily. It doesn’t matter if it’s boring, I could use the practice. And I need to practice cooking soups.
πΆ Eating healthier The easy part has been cutting out soft drinks; the harder part will be resisting the allure of bread, eating less sweet and oily stuff, and moving towards keto/vegetarian diets. I will do this.
πͺ Fitness goals Stretching, strength, and cardio, in order of preference.
2: Relationships: Family & Friends π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦
2022 goals were very results-oriented, so this year’s is more qualitative.
For the rest of the year, I’d like to…
π Practice: slow down, and be nicer Honestly, I am quick to anger and easily frustrated. I shouldn’t be in a rush with friends and family. All problems are people problems; there are going to be times when other people, frustratingly, don’t live the same lives or have the same priorities that I do, and that’s what I should focus on
β³ Time discipline: Allocate more time for people People, not things.
π² Play more with friends Board games have been the hidden reward for 2022, and I want to do more/spend more time with friends.
3: Work & School & Career Prosperity
This is the main theme of Discipline.
For the rest of the year, I’d like to…
π Study like a Star Student I wanted to write “Ace my studies”, but I am not entitled to the fruits of my labour, only the labour. Instead, I will study like a star student, and que sera sera.
π Practice Professionalism I am also an employee; no more half-assing or being distracted, I will be a consummate professional
πΉ Practice putting myself on the market I’ve hemmed and hawed and avoided interviewing and job applications for a year, but this year I will put myself on the market.
4: Wealth & Money Satisfaction π°
For the rest of the year, I’d like to…
π Shopping discipline: Only shop on sales, try to shop for the long term, and stop impulse buying — at least until next November.
π Practice checking Read the Psychology of Money again, check my assumptions and ingrained beliefs, and also ensure I’m investing/saving regularly
π Spend well; not just prudentially, but also to spend on valuable experiences and travel.
5: Spiritual Wellness π
Writing about things has helped.
For the rest of the year, I’d like to…
π ββοΈ Practice Restfulness Instead of apps or meditation, I just want to find peace more often; and that might mean running to clear my head or journalling to introspect or just talking to people cathartically.
β Read more philosophy β Starting maybe with more Buddhism
π€·ββοΈ Be comfortable with self-listening and introspection. Both blogging and the breakup have forced me to pay more attention to thoughts and deeds, and at my age, it’s time to be more self-aware.
6: Mental Strength π
My Alar is the ocean in storm. I will make Will my primary stat attribute in 2023.
This year, I’d like to
πChoose myself Less false humility, self-deprecation, and Asian avoiding attention. I will be honest of what I’m good at, and step up for things I think I can handle.
π Practice healthier mental hygiene I can consume less junk content and background distractions, and also stop repeating false mantras and dark thoughts to myself. I will make better decisions about the kind of content I consume, and be more disciplined about the kind of thoughts I have.
π― Become confident and develop integrity with myself. In 2022, at timesduring the year, I felt incredibly competent, confident, and capable. I knew exactly what I was talking about and felt really well-prepared for it (β ).
I also feel this year I stood up for myself and started establishing boundaries. I’m not perfect, but I’m on the way, and it’s a step forward (+1!).
Someone read my blog and I felt good, because I know I spoke the honest truth and was consistent in writing as well as in action and speaking. It felt good to have integrity and consistency in the way I though, acted, and spoke/wrote. I’d like more of that integrity, incorporating my values and discipline.
β Have unbelievable belief #BELIEVE This is still up on my wall, after another year. This is what I believe.
