What we’ll do in 2023

We are very grateful for 2022 and all the experiences it has brought. It kind of feels like two years have already passed actually and we are looking forward to a more grounded and purposeful new year.

Our life has been in transition in recent years and most of our time has been devoted to housekeeping. This time, we feel we are ready to return focus on things that bring us joy, a kind of recentering and anchoring, if you will.

Following are some ideas we wish to bring into 2023, a rough list on what we hope to do to add more smiles, calm, and space into our life.

Micah

Explore the Mediterranean

Two reasons: it is near and I am dying to soak the food culture of the area. I want to learn everything and taste everything!

Learn German

Right now, I am A2 level and want to progress to B1. If I only aim to pass the exam, I am sure I can teach myself how to do it like with the A1 requirement, but I want to learn German and not just learn how to pass another exam.

I suppose I need more German exposure, which is challenging since I do not really like going out, plus Markus and I converse in English.

If I talk with natives, they speak to me like a native, which frustrates more than teach. I have yet to find language parents who will talk to me like the baby that I am.

See more of Germany

My goal is to visit all 16 Bundesländer. Germany is so beautiful, even the tiniest villages have something special to offer. Even if I cannot eat most German food, the breads and desserts keep everything exciting, plus the legendary Old Towns and markets that I adore. So much to see!

Read a lot on physiology

Lately, I have been devouring science books recommended by neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman and regularly listen to his podcast, which I love.

I find myself more curious about how the brain and body works and what I can do to optimize it every day. The more I understand about my physiology, the more I am able to self-manage, adjust my behavior, and also understand a bit more about others and society.

I have learned so much from the Huberman podcast and the scientist guests that go on it, who have written many fascinating books. It is truly remarkable how accessible this God-tier knowledge of the body is.

Have fewer injuries

2022 was not a great year for exercising. I hurt my shoulder in January and it just went downhill from there. There was also my knee and my wrist and I never got a rhythm. Something was always wrong!

Towards the end of this year though, I found the home workouts of Caroline Girvan and found them enjoyable. I will do a lot of her programs next year.

Give intermittent fasting a go

I see a lot of exciting scientific data about the positive effects of fasting on the body and I am curious to try it.

I think an 8-hr eating window is more than okay. Of course, I have to wait until I am back in Germany to give it a go. In the Ph, there is only intermittent feasting!

Markus

Try voice acting

For years I have been told that I have a nice voice. Now I’m curious to try it out. Maybe have a crack at reading in an audio book, voicing over a documentary or, more likely at the start, do some more small-scale stuff. All in all I don’t aim to try voice acting as a way to make money, but simply as a chance to test out something I’ve always been curious about.

Talk more German with Micah

Micah has been studying a lot of German over the past two years, but I haven’t been very good at actually talking in German with her – just for conveniences’ sake, I guess. So it would be nice to change that, and since that’s on me I’ll pay more attention to it starting next year.

Be less stressed about work/money

For the last two years, questions about work and money have all too often overshadowed the other aspects of life. Unsurprisingly, this hasn’t exactly led to a very good time. Fortunately, the situation has stabilized and I’m super ready to take the foot off the accelerator a little bit. Not to put my feet up, but to allow for other things to arise (such as voice acting) that I neglected during this time.

Travel more

Travel is another thing that I love that has suffered in the past two years. Micah has been good at teasing me out every once in a while, but she always had to take the initiative to make it happen. Next year will be different! We already talked about some nice destinations within Europe (such as Copenhagen in Denmark, Tuscany in Italy, or the wider Mediterranean area) and outside of it (Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan) to explore in the coming year. I’m looking forward to it! There is a nice long weekend around Easter in the beginning of April to take the first step. It should be easy from there!

Start cycling for real

I’ve always enjoyed cycling, but never pursued it in a sincere way. Next year, I want this to change. Far from just using a bike to get around town, I want to commute by bike and even attempt some more advanced tours. This should help me to get out more, have more headspace, and elegantly integrate some exercise where it has been sorely missing lately.

Be open for changes

These goals are all nice and good, but I also want to re-introduce some, let’s call it “mental flexibility” to the next year. Thinking about work and money has forced me to dial down on spontaneity, which I’m looking forward to remedying as soon as possible.

What are you looking forward to next year?

Happy 2023, dear friends! Thank you for sharing our lives and supporting our values. You are the best!