It’s time to reflect what one has accomplished in 2023 and adjust the goals for the new year.

End of the year is a perfect time to reflect back and make goals for the year ahead. However, this time I started early, I began complementing on how much I have personally grown in 2023 towards the end of October.

It was November of 2017 when I took the plunge and launched Chaotic Sanity. The reminder to pay for the domain and hosting was first emailed in early October, and as I am paying the invoice, I automatically start calculating the worth of owning a blog.

• How active was the blog?
• How many stories did I write?
• Did I earn new followers?
• Was there a strong connection on social media?
• Is it worth the cost?

Started analyzing earlier in the fourth quarter gives me the opportunity to evaluate what I have done and what I can do to finish the year strong. There are still weeks left in a year to ignite some spark. If I create enough of a momentum, I can start the next year strong as well.

How do I scrutinize to finish the year strong?

Revisit last year’s resolution

My very first step to analyzing my year starts with the resolution I wrote for the current year. What was I desiring to accomplish in 2023? It gives me a baseline to calculate growth.

Back in January, I highlighted how much I enjoyed the outdoors and family time in 2022. I had also created some momentum with Instagram and wanted to continue consistency on social media platforms, secretly hoping to generate a monetary success.

The 12-month Journey

Next step requires for the recap of the current year: how was the year spent? I chunk the process into what I wanted to accomplish in my self-discovery journey.

• Connections: How did I invest into the relationships I already have, and did I make any new connections? This year was about reevaluating strategies to build stronger relationships with my teen boys. My oldest is applying for college and preparing to leave the house. I needed to revisit how I want to build our relationship where he can be more independent, and it is easier for me to let go.
• Outdoors: Whether it is my backyard or trail walking, I enjoy the outdoors. It gives me a break from mundane chaos and allows me to rejuvenate. 2023’s biggest highlight would definitely be the very first girl’s trip to Mount Rainier.
• Creating: I am a stay-at-home mom, so I thrive on my creative juices to fulfill a hole of achieving something tangible. Sadly, I didn’t sketch or design anything on Silhouette Vinyl Cutter as I had in 2022. However, I did start my journey on Medium, and between the blog and Medium I posted over 50 unique stories. In addition, late Q3 was all about creating journals on KDP and building a writing community on Threads.

Analyzing the progress

The third step to evaluating the year’s growth is to weigh which activity gave me most joy and what is worth continuing in the new year.

• Investing in relationships: Prioritizing which relationships to invest at a given time has been the biggest lesson in 2023. As the senior year rang in session, it was debilitating to think that my #1 was leaving for college in few months. Either I could dwell into depression (even before he leaves) or start plotting new strategies where the transition will be easier for both of us (mainly me).
• Connecting with nature: Besides our evening walks and backyard strolls, the girls’ trip was not only rejuvenating but liberating as well. Thinking ahead into 2024, I would like to reconnect with nature via photography and capturing simpler things in life.
• Blogging: Chaotic Sanity has been my light on dark days. When no one was listening, pen and paper drafted a visual stronger than any person could have. Growing the brand would require consistent writing and posting on social media.
• Monetizing: Sadly, the biggest chunk of being successful lies on monetary gain. Who doesn’t like to pocket few dollars while working on something they enjoy? Creating journals and writing on Medium earned me few dollars in Q4 and that is always worth celebrating. Building a stronger community and growing Chaotic Sanity via blog posts, journal diaries, and digital products will be a on higher priority than they have been in past.

What does 2024 has instilled for me?

The new year is like a blank canvas, waiting to be colored by one’s aspirations. Though, one never has to wait for particular date, but Jan 1 can be a slate to start fresh and invest in the future.

Even with minimal tangible accomplishments, 2023 has been the year where things were falling into their place. There was a gain in followers, plus family and friends were conversating about it more. It felt as if there is actually a light at the end of tunnel and if I stay persistent, I would be celebrating in no time.

Analyzing the past year effectively maps where to start the new year. Along with few planners, I recently created a content planner on Canva and KDP, which will pave a smooth transition into the year ahead.

Furthermore, keeping a content planner will create a discipline to keep publicizing Chaotic Sanity and not procrastinate for trendier medium to post.

There is so much to accomplish in a year on personal and professional level; therefore, I find creating a chart keeps me on task. Many things get bombarded our way and we get sidetracked so having a “bingo” chart is a regiment that works for me. And coloring the box upon completion is so gratifying.