Taking New Year’s goals to the next level by making them positive, fun and rewarding

Many people dust off their New Year’s Resolutions from the previous year and feel a little overwhelmed at starting again. However, there is a simple way to turn the intimidating into something truly inspiring, motivating, fun and absolutely achievable. Make 2023 a year of creating attainable challenges where the journey is the reward.

Challenges begin with the first step

A personal challenge to be more active in 2023 could be something fun like exploring beautiful new trails while training to run a 5K, or taking dancing lessons for an upcoming wedding. There is no winning or losing with creating these challenges since the result is learning something new, gaining new experiences and reflecting on the journey. Each step toward that challenge will lead to the next milestone and an exciting story to share.

Goals can feel overwhelming, while challenges should feel empowering. It is a simple change of mindset. Losing weight is a great goal, so now set the challenge to change the thinking behind it. This could be learning a new exercise or healthy cooking techniques and not concentrating on the pounds to lose.

Grab a new journal and start listing things that inspire and uplift this new year. Here are some ideas for those attainable challenges that will, in turn, improve all aspects of health and well-being, from spiritual to the physical.

Physical — Get Outdoors with the Family

1. Stargazing Friday nights at the Rosemary Hill Observatory
2. Learn to run a 5K/10k/15k
3. Take a daily 30-minute walk outside
4. Learn to ride horseback at one of the 14-plus riding stables
5. Conquer the fear of heights at Canopy Climbers
6. Learn how to garden and grow food

Mental — Take in Some Culture

7. Dance away at weekly live music concerts at Bo Diddley Plaza
8. Take art or music classes in one of Gainesville’s art or music studios
9. Learn a foreign language
10. Discover American Sign Language and practice with friends and family
11. Visit a new museum once a month
12. Read a new book every week

Emotional — Give to Others

13. Inspire children by teaching them through Junior Achievement
14. Volunteer by cooking or helping out at the Ronald McDonald House once a month
15. Make an animal feel loved by fostering or volunteering at the local animal shelter
16. Learn how to enhance the natural beauty and habitat in Alachua Land preserves by volunteering
17. Discover how to knit and donate finished pieces to the local Neonatal ICU units, animal shelters and veteran hospitals

Spiritual — Grow from Within

18. Create community by attending a new church or spiritual center each week
19. Learn to meditate by attending a local class
20. Read and learn about a religious practice each month
21. Boost intuition by learning how to journal daily
22. Join a local community based on spiritual or religious growth
23. Go on a three- to 28-day retreat to start a spiritual journey

Creating attainable challenges in the new year forms a unique moment of introspection and gratitude, providing memories to last a lifetime.

By Deborah Holmén M.Ed., NBCT.