Taking stock of 2023

Hi.

2023 is approaching its end and I feel an urge to share some reflections from the past year. I’m currently spending a few days in Lisbon on my way home to Norway after a semester in the US.

This year has for sure held a lot. On a macro scale, we have experienced increasing conflict, fear, and destruction. I’m thinking of the devastating and incomprehensible wars. I’m thinking of the extreme weather. I’m thinking of nature and biodiversity loss. These events won’t be a part of this blog post. I’m not ready to write about that.

So instead, I’ll get personal. When taking stock of this year I discovered that I’ve done many things for the first time ever. For instance, I’ve:

• Conducted focus group interviews
• Meditated and done yoga consecutively every day for months in a row
• Spent over a week alone (well, my dog was there)
• Hosted a vision workshop
• Lived and worked in another country than Norway
• Done research that is predominately within the social science sphere
• Travelled alone without a fixed plan
• Not eaten any food for several days in a row
• Launched my own website (this one)
• Presented my own work as an expert within a field

If I were to find one word to describe this year it would be transformation. The irony. Right? (If you’re new here, my research is about sustainability transformations). This micro-level transformation is characterized by collapse, by being uncomfortable, by vulnerability, and by novelty. We find many of these characteristics described in research on transformation as well. Interesting!? Definitely. It has not been an easy year but I wouldn’t been without it. Ever heard the phrase that growth happens outside your comfort zone? I think it’s true.

So as this year is closing up, I invite you to take stock of your own 2023.

• What new experiences have you gained?
• What was difficult? What did you learn?
• What would you like to do more of? Less of?

I could have written a whole book about this year’s personal and professional experiences, their connections to societal events, and how these things are related. But I will spare you for it. At least for now. So with this, I say thanks. Thanks for reading. Thanks for doing your best at being you. Peace and love.

-R