Mmm, the best week of the year. Today is the first day I’ve opened my laptop in five days. I’m exhausted from socializing but also desperate for it not to end.
This week, I am holding my nephew long enough to remember that all of life’s answers are in a baby’s eyes, but not long enough to think too seriously about buying a house and getting pregnant immediately. I love being an aunt.
2023. These are the three most important things I learned.
Burnout is really real.
This year I experienced a fatigue stronger than I ever have. As an overly optimistic person, feelings like this are hard to reckon with. I’m still actively working on this and even though I feel the urge to grab my vision board and make my word of the year something like electric, I will not. It’s hard to come out of the dumpster. It takes effort, but it’s possible to stay the course and not set fire to your whole entire life. Little by little day by day. What has helped me most are numbers 2 and 3. ⬇️
Creative outlets.
The further away I get from my career as a performer, the more important it is for me to have a creative outlet that is all my own. One that has goals and a vision and I’m accountable to. It makes my work better and my relationships stronger. Re-launching this newsletter was an important step to making that happen. So was starting a drawing practice. I am bad, but it is fun.
Manufacture momentum.
This year, I’ve learned that when I’m feeling stuck or blocked, it helps to start with the absolute simplest, most basic version of what I’m trying to do. It’s easier to keep moving once you’ve started moving. I’ve also learned you don’t always have to know what you’re doing to do great work. All you need is a clear goal and a little gumption.
2024. These are the three things I’m going to focus on.
Think bigger annually, but smaller daily.
Basically that quote… something like, we overestimate what we can do in a day but underestimate what we can do in a year. This year I want to set big, audacious goals but not fool myself into thinking I have to hit each of them or make massive progress every single day.
People finding people.
There is nothing that gives me more energy than connecting with cool people, making cool things, and helping other people find their people. I feel like I’m onto something in a way I haven’t felt since starting the Reach Out Party and I will be writing about it here. I’ll also hopefully learn not to hate posting about it on LinkedIn and Twitter. Lmk if you have tips for this that don’t suck.
Enjoy daily life.
I know I’m at an amazing time in my life because all of my relatives tell me I am. This year I want to really enjoy the little things that I definitely took for granted in 2023. I want to stretch and touch my toes and eat yummy food that will make me big and strong and walk places even when it’s cold and dance in front of my dog and hug my healthy beautiful body and act like the hot genius I am.
Here are 10 predictions for 2024 based on essentially nothing.
Comeback for frosted tips.
New biopic developed about JFK.
Polka. dots.
AI will lose some of its steam (more regulated).
New trend on the level of kids wearing suits to see the minions movie in theaters.
New Bieber album w yellow cover art.
Ashlee Simpson music makes a comeback (they don’t make em’ like this anymore).
Cravings for casual community return, like small group, last minute dinners and walks and running into neighbors and knowing their names and going to the restaurant you love for the 27th time instead of trying somewhere new.
Cushioned sneakers will get even HIGHER!
You will share this newsletter with over 5 people but fewer than 15
Happy New Year!