Through the Years
Each year, I dream up a fun challenge that makes my year more purposeful and enjoyable
2023
learning
The last time I sat down to learn was my senior year of college, 2014. And I realized that I really miss it. I want to spend this year enriching myself with tangible skills - graphics, interior design, writing - and also some intangible things: learning how to wear less black, learning how to stop picking my skin. The aim is to take one new course or didactic action a week.
2022
tracking
Tracking my calories, tracking my spending. COVID consumption has done me dirty. Time to right it.
2021
wellness & woo
Embark on one new wellness technique or woo woo practice each month - lymphatic drainage, acupuncture, reiki, crystals - and see what sticks.
2020
cooking
To curb my inability to grocery shop effectively, I wanted to learn to cook on a more consistent basis. The result was 236 meals cooked over the year, averaging almost 5 meals per week (and approximately 235 more than the year prior). And I discovered an app I can’t stop recommending: Mealime.
More on apps I can’t live without here.
2019
reading
My initial goal was to read 24 books; I finished the year with 72. Here are a few I read and adored, each over the course of a day: Where the Crawdads Sing (Delia Owens), Enemies of the Heart (Andy Stanley), Little Weirds (Jenny Slate), Bachelor Nation (Amy Kaufman).
2018
travel
Morocco: three pink rugs and two star lanterns purchased. Germany: the requisite Oktoberfest amount of beer and pretzels and the worst hangover of my life.
2017
more travel
Hawaii, Alaska, Peru, London and Iceland. Hot (cold?) tip: Iceland is wonderful in November.
2016
opting outside
Exploring my new home state of Washington. Hiking, camping and my first marathon.
Pictured is my favorite hike in the world with my beloved late dog Georgia.
2015
no new clothes
I challenged myself to not buy any clothes for the entire year. I was resourceful, stretched my creativity and wore a few weird things. It was incredibly challenging, but I’d do it again.