How many resolutions is too many?
Okay, Now What? New Year, New Me
I’m baaaaaaaaack. After an unplanned sabbatical (I hope you didn’t miss me too much), I have resolved to write to you more.
November and December were a blur. I moved into a new apartment. There has been no sunlight in London. I am working a full-time job for the first time since I moved here. I’ve had 4 delayed flights, 1 missed connection, and 1 canceled flight in December alone. (I've started to think Mother Nature has been conspiring against my carbon footprint). Needless to say, I was burnt *the hell* out and didn’t want to write.
But it’s a new year (!!), I have rested, and I am resolved to be a better person in 2023.
It should come as no surprise to you that I LOVE resolutions. It’s basically just a glorified to-do list. I love to talk to my friends and family about their resolutions (and copy the ones I think are worth pursing). I usually write down my resolutions in an iPhone note that I forget about by March, only to be discovered in December when looking for ~inspiration.~
I figured this year, I’d employ some public accountability for my resolutions. If I’m still writing this newsletter this time next year, I will revisit my list and see if I have accomplished any of it.
But first, may I present my 2022 Highlight Reel:
I completed a god d*mn Master’s Degree!!! (stay tuned for graduation pics).
I started running regularly (a 2022 resolution), got injured, and then stopped running.
I lived under two monarchs and three prime ministers!
I contracted the mumps (TMI?)
I made an amazing group of friends in London 🥲
I traveled to Paris, Mallorca, and Antwerp.
I tried a lot of tacos in London: turns out 97% of tacos in Chicago are better than the best taco in London.
I made a dramatic career change from public service to a tech start-up (although it’s still in the public service sphere, so not sure this counts).
I saw Max Richter live.
I made London start to feel like home (awwwwww).
Without further ado, an abridged list of my New Year’s resolutions (some have been *redacted* because they’re embarrassing1):
Write more. I am going to try to send a new edition of this newsletter every other week (my sister, Grace, has been telling me about the importance of setting achievable habits - so I’m not going to set the bar at weekly).
Run a half marathon. Re: highlight reel, unclear if this is a great idea, but I will try.
Read 52 books. I attempt to do this every year to no avail, but I’m a believer that you can work on the same resolution year after year (ex: “be less defensive” has been my most common resolution to date).
Average 10k steps a day. I know this is an arbitrary number we all subscribe to, but I always feel better when I walk more. (That being said, I’m not off to a great start with this one. I have not walked much during the first fours days of 2023 - but I have 361 days to make up for it).
No phone in the morning.
Take advantage of how close London is to other countries and travel more.
Be an intentionally kind and patient person.
Okay, I think that’s probably enough for one year. TTYL.
P.S. Share your resolutions in the comments!
DM me if you’re interested - I’m just not going to put it on the internet where it will stay FOREVER.
Aww this is such a great first newsletter of the year, Isabelle! Can't wait to read more ❤️