Things of Beauty #14
Easing into 2023 like . . .
There’s a lot of pressure this time of the year to look back and sum up all the best things of 2022 and set big audacious goals for 2023. There is certainly value in mining the past for lessons or things (big and small) to celebrate. And it’s great to have things to look forward to and work toward in the future— but there’s simply no reason this has to be all wrapped up and settled on January 1st. I also firmly believe there is no “right” way to do the whole start of the year thing (see the very last link below for a longer take on this that really resonated with me).
This year I started doing some 2023 planning in mid-December and it will likely continue throughout this month. But you know what, it would also be just fine if I decided that June was the best time of year to reflect and set some intentions for the next year.
Give yourself some grace on the planning if you didn’t have it all tied up on the first of the month, okay? And don’t just take it from me— New Year Squirrel says so, too:
Just a few things I’ve loved lately, that feel supportive of easing into this brand new year.
📙 This essay about what we take away from things that didn’t go as planned last year. This line especially struck a chord, and I’ll be mulling it over for a while:
The most significant growth points of the past year were moments when I asked a question of my life, only to be given an answer I didn’t accept because it didn’t fit into the mythology I’d been developing for myself. In order to answer, I’d have to color outside the lines, to completely shift the narrative.
🥣 We made this Pan Seared Cod in Thai Broth for Christmas Day lunch and it was delicious. It’s a cozy and warming dish that feels just a tiny bit fancy. It also comes together really quickly. I love a special feeling meal that doesn’t take hours. (It’s also worth noting that everything I have cooked from The Pollan Family Table has been delicious, and often relatively quick to prepare).
As a side note: I didn’t find any mincemeat pie for our Christmas lunch— but
recently shared his recipe for Quick Mincemeat . . . so perhaps I’ll make a batch and stir it into an apple pie later this winter. (Sounds like a good project for cold winter’s day! Bring on that one snow day a year we get here in Virginia.)
🧘♀️ I’ve done this Yoga with Adriene video twice during the holiday season. It’s very gentle and restorative. (There is also lots of footage of her dog, Benji, in this one— which is healing in its own way).
☕️ A bit more time to sip my morning coffee is one of the best things about this time of year. My go-to local roaster does this Seville Orange blend, that has dried orange peel in with the beans. I tried it years ago out of curiosity and have been hooked ever since. I always struggled to piece together why the flavors work so well together, until a friend suggested that it works in the way orange and dark chocolate flavors play well together, the citrus balancing the bitter.
💚 And speaking of coffee — if you enjoy the Healthier Hustle and feel inclined to leave a little tip, I’m starting a “Coffee” Club for readers to support this publication.
An equally awesome way to support this squirrel-ly little endeavor is to share with a friend. If you know someone who would like these posts, please do feel free to share.
Most of all, thank you for spending your time with my musings here each week. With all the things vying for your attention, I don’t take for granted that you spend some of your very precious moments with my words.
📘 I’ve written before about how goal setting is hard for me. Things have shifted some for me in the last year (as they do) and I’m finding myself craving some guiding principles. I’ve been making some gentle baby steps toward something akin to goals and guiding principle for 2023, but I still find the pressure to make resolutions and grand proclamations for the year off-putting. Always nice to know I’m not alone in that. Also love the idea of a highly specific, personally defined “favorite things” of the year list.
What are you filling these first days of 2023 with? What were some of your random, lovely favorite things in 2022? I’d love to hear about it!
Thank you again, so much, for making the Healthier Hustle part of your 2022! I love writing these posts and am thrilled to keep exploring the balance between well-being and creativity as well as all the tiny beautiful things with you in 2023.
Be well, find tiny joy-
Mary-Chris