.lifestyle

Five things for 2023

This year's 5 things aren't really "things" ; they are about: 🧑‍🎨 life design; 🔮 mailing our future/past selves; 📚 reading, learning, growing; 🛌 sleeping; 🧘‍♀️ finding your "enough".

Peter Kos

Jan 7, 2023 — 4 min read

Last year I published Five Things for 2022 — my recommendations to try out something new, and I'll continue in this spirit for 2023.

Let me remind you, though, that January 1st is just a date, and it doesn't mean that's the only day when we can set goals to start something new. You haven't missed anything. Every day and every week is a new beginning, and Monday is just a great day to start something new. Every Monday.

Life Design Worksheet

Back in 2021, I published Life Design Worksheet, a simple Google Docs file to help you Design your long-term vision, annual plan, and 90-day goals to put your wheels in motion.

Send an e-mail to your future self

I've been using this free service for a couple of years now. It's interesting when I get an email from my past self written three years ago! Sometimes it's humbling, but it always helps me look back and reflect on my accomplishments and appreciate the people and everyday situations. Life is so rich.

Try it out now. Hint: you can even use this as part of your goal setting, and choose a date 90 days from today, for example!

Read something inspiring

Reading helps me unwind, disconnect, and rewire my brain like nothing else. Okay, the long runs come close. But still, reading is one of the best ways to keep those neurons forming new connections. I'm a parallel reader and never go on a trip without my kindle.

My book, The Elements of Lifestyle, is an Amazon Bestseller ;-)

Sleep more

I recommended the Oura Ring last year already, and I can't overstate how valuable this little sleep tracker really is. Almost everyone needs to improve their sleep, and this is a device to help you do that.

Sleep is the base layer for the quality of life, impacting thinking, work, fitness, health, and everything.

Yes, it's a €300+ sleep tracker in the form of a ring, but sleep isn't something to be cheap about. Use this link, and you'll receive €50 off.

Find Your Enough

I keep looking for it myself. I don't think finding your "enough" is a destination but a journey towards a state of mind for different areas of life: family, learning, work, sports, etc.

The older I get, the better I understand how minimalism, simplicity, and the little moments bring the biggest joy and, while at the same time, have the least negative impact on the environment and the world around us.

I feel that the more I learn and grow, the humbler I become. Oh yeah, that's the material for the third book with this exact title: Finding My Enough.

But, step by step: I haven't even finished the second book yet. It's part of this year's goals. Slowly, one chapter at a time, without hurry, without any pressure. As time permits, so I can enjoy researching, pondering, and writing it. At my own chosen pace.

This year, one of my goals is to slow down. Breathe, relax, and think about what's really important. How about you?

Looking into this year's list, I noticed that the five things aren't really "things"; they are about: