Hi friends,
Welcome to this week’s newsletter and a new year.
So far, my new year has been a mix of getting my organization together, rewatching Parenthood, and reflecting on my sixth anniversary of living in Maryland. For the latter, it’s been a trip to think I have been here for six years as of January 1st. What astonished me most was that I was sure I would return to the Bay Area after a year. While I still believe the Bay Area is superior to the DMV area in many ways, including food (hello burritos and hot links), access to cute little towns (Corte Madera, Sausalito, Napa), and better drivers, I feel like I’ve grown a lot since living here. In six years, I:
talk more
talk to strangers more
am more outspoken
more decisive - although I’m a Libra, so it’s questionable at times
became more direct
Those are just a few things that I’ve noticed. I’ve also been told I’m calmer and more independent, which is good. I am thankful for the relationships I’ve developed here and for some of the beautiful shifts in my other relationships.
With that, here is to another year and another new year.
Also, with the new year comes the annual need to set goals. I spent some time thinking about my goals for 2024, and I have just five main ones:
Be healthier and stronger.
Be more financially savvy.
Prioritize fun more.
Read 51 books (wanted to extend grace for a week).
Pause more.
I have a monthly and quarterly task aligned with each, but I wanted to share some of the things that were very helpful for me with goal-setting this year in hopes that they can help you with yours.
Podcast: Mel Robbins - Goal Setting Toolkit
My friend recommended this podcast episode to me, and I am glad she did, as it was a great episode. While some of Mel’s approach to goal-setting wasn’t necessarily new, I enjoyed how it was primarily reflective. In the past, I would just set goals I wanted to hit instead of looking at what was realistic for me and my life. Her system asks six questions, with a few layers within each section.
There is also a goal companion that you can use to help with your goal setting.
This is easily one of my favorite podcasts week after week because the advice Siff shares weekly is efficient. For her approach to goal setting, she first reflects on her year and ranks every area of her life. From there, she looks at the numbers to identify which areas of her life she needs to set goals for.
Video: Plan with Me for 2024 | My Entire Goal-Setting System in Notion
Part of achieving your goals is having a system to help you set them, and that’s what this video is a reminder for.
Hopefully, these are helpful. Next week, I will be talking a little bit more about my systems, but in the meantime, here are this week’s recommendations.
Joe Kay’s episode of “aprtment life” was everything.
I just started a new playlist for the new year, and it’s pretty mellow. You can listen to that here.
This Somewhere Soul New Year’s Eve playlist is a beautiful mix of disco, soul, and Brazilian, and it is love.
Libraries have always been one of my favorite places, and I love the work Mychal Threets does to show that libraries are joyful and welcoming places.
Although I am still off Travis Kelce, this was a great read about twin brothers, Aaron and André Eanes, who manage Travis’ career. The two have helped him transition from a football star to a full-fledged celeb.
That’s it for now. I’ll catch you next week!
In the meantime, here are a few newsletters to keep you company as well:
Catch you next week, and follow me on Lapse or Instagram.