Today I went for a walk in a part of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park that is known for eagle sightings. One of my 23 for 2023 goals is to see an eagle and photograph it. It wasn’t easy, but I found a nest! It was across the Cuyahoga river from the path I was on – it actually wasn’t visible from the main path; I had to follow a horse trail to the river. But now that I know where it is I will keep returning until I see an eagle – they re-use old nests, so this will be a good place to hopefully catch a glimpse.
Without further ado, the following is my 23 for 2023 list – a list of 23 things I want to accomplish or experience this year. Some of them are already completed or underway, which I think helps get the momentum going for such a project. The idea for this list comes from a favorite podcast, “Happier with Gretchen Rubin.” If you want to learn more about this type of list, here is a link to Gretchen’s most recent podcast, where she and her sister Elizabeth reveal and discuss their own 23 for 2023 lists.
- January Joy Box
- Get a pair of high quality walking/hiking shoes
- Meatless February
- Send Valentines cards
- Baking lesson with Howard and Beth
- Trip to New Zealand
- See my mom
- Buy a new, super-duper camera lens
- Photograph the entire nesting season of the great blue herons
- Visit 12 different parts of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (or other local park or nature preserve)
- Use up the last of my massage gift cards
- Find a way to celebrate my 60th birthday in a special way
- Spend a day at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
- Go thrifting
- Find a signature scent
- Plant hummingbird friendly plants in the garden
- Go eagle watching until I actually see and can photograph an eagle
- Read 23 novels
- Compile a list of simple joys/delights
- Celebrate Summer Solstice
- Trip to NYC and Washington DC with Chloe
- Ruthlessly edit the basement, the loft, my wardrobe, and my desk
- Review my 23 for 2023 list on the 23rd of each month
I realise that some of these entries are rather cryptic, so I will be explaining them as they arise. One that is already underway is the January Joy Box, and I will write about that in my next blog post.
Love,
Michelle xoxox