Notes from January

This essay initially appeared in the Monday morning newsletter on 2/8/21.

A goal on my 21 in 2021 List is to “write 12 monthly recaps.” I started doing this at the end of last year and loved it! My plan is that at the end of the month, I’ll flip through my phone’s camera roll and reference the calendar to jog my memory. Then, I’ll jot down a quick list of 10 things that stood out to me and by the end of the year, I’ll have 12 monthly notes to help me better remember all the little things that happen. 

Sharing my list below in hopes that you might decide you want to make your own to catalog your January. If you do, I would love to hear about it! 

January’s 10 Notes: 

1. I read SIX books in January (which I think is a monthly record for me!). My favorite fiction book from the month was They Wish They Were Us (gave a full review last week) and for nonfiction, Happier at Home. 
2. I started listening to the Bridgerton soundtrack while I worked and it brought me so much joy. One of my favorite parts of Netflix’s Bridgerton show was the soundtrack. I thought the idea of orchestra covers for 21st-century songs by artists like Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish was so innovative and charming. And it just so happens it also makes for the perfect background music for when you really need to focus.   
3. A friend spontaneously sent me a book she thought I would like in the mail and it made my entire week. Such a good reminder that the smallest acts can mean a lot. 
4. I am loving Cleo Wade’s guided Heart Talk journal. The journal features 52 prompts and I’ve gotten in the routine of writing in it weekly. I like doing it on Sunday evenings to reflect before the new week begins.
5. Looking back at my photos from January, I laughed at the multiple low-quality photos I snapped of the inauguration while watching it on the TV (anyone else?!). It wasn’t really necessary since there are so many high-quality photos easily accessible online, but I’m glad I can remember my experience of watching it. 
6. Unless it’s my monthly “on-call” rotation for work, I’ve either turned my phone on Do Not Disturb or turned off notifications on the weekends. With working from home, work can feel omnipresent and by the time Friday night rolls around, I find myself craving a break from constant pings and reasons to pick up my phone. 
7. Speaking of being plugged in, I’m proud of myself for keeping up with the “stop scrolling social media in bed at night” resolution from my 21 in 2021 List. Last year, I got into the habit of mindless scrolling before bed, but so far in 2021, I haven’t done it once! Instead of reaching for my phone, I find myself reaching for a book or a journal or… wait for it…  just going to bed (groundbreaking idea, right?).
8. Also on my 21 in 2021 List is a monthly adventure and last month, I had the opportunity to be in an outdoor park by myself with a few hours to kill. I got a coffee, strolled around and read my book. My definition of bliss! 
9. I was able to safely see some friends last month that I hadn’t seen since 2019 and it was a surreal experience. It made me so, so hopeful that more of that togetherness is in our future. There are so many people and places I miss.
10. While living at home all last month, I kept feeling anxious about needing to decide when I was going back to Chicago. As soon as I sat down with a calendar, selected a date and bought a plane ticket, I instantly felt a sense of relief. Making the decision wasn’t fun, but I found that having that “end date” in the back of mind makes me even more grateful for and intentional with my time left at home.

Want to receive a note like this to your inbox every Monday at 6 AM EST? Sign up here! If you don’t receive the email, please check your spam or junk folder. 

Have feedback, thoughts or a question you want addressed in an upcoming newsletter? Drop an anonymous note to my mailbox here!