Hi friend,
Wow, weâve almost made it through 2022. Was December a blur for you too?
Perhaps you had goals and hopes and dreams for what this last month of the year would entail.
You wanted to finally cross off that huge task off your list.
You wanted to level up so you could say, âlook what I did and how far I came this year.âÂ
You wanted to crush that ambitious goal you set one year ago (letâs be honest, running a marathon or reading 100 books or meditating every day is hard AF).
And if youâve come to this point, these last days of 2022, having not met those expectations â you might be feeling a bit low. Trust me, I know the feeling.
But Iâd like to remind you (and myself) of two things:
Look what you did and how far you came this year. Regardless of one incomplete item on your arbitrary list written one year ago. A list that did not account for all the unexpected ups and downs you faced this year. Look at what you did and how far you came, in spite of everything that was thrown your way. That is a goal to be proud of.
The new year is just another day on the calendar. If you canât bring yourself to believe that your accomplishments are worthwhile regardless of your original hopes, remember this: January 1 is just a Sunday. Itâs just another day of the week. Another day on the calendar. A new year is simply a social construct. If it brings you excitement and energy, take it with joy. But if it brings you stress and anxiety, donât let it be more than another day of the week.
Look what we did and how far we came, friend. Iâm so proud of us.
Sending you and yours all the love + strength during this wild season.
See you in 2023 đ¤
with warmth + love,
N
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đ OOO Reads
Some marketing some not marketing reads to distract you from uncomfortable family conversations during this holiday season
New York Times: John Fettermanâs TikTok Whisperer
I donât think I wouldâve known nearly as much as I did about Pennsylvaniaâs midterm election if it wasnât for the work of Annie Wu, senator-elect John Fettermanâs former campaign social media producer. This one was a fun read about what happens when you trust young people on social.
HowlRound: I Donât Think Itâs Just Me Anymore: The Shift Towards Healthier Theatre Education
This piece focuses on theatre education, but I think anyone in any creative field will resonate with this article on the challenges of âmaking itâ in an industry. The key quote that stood out to me: âInstead of simulating the hardships of the industry and watching as students sink or swim, wouldnât it be more effective to spend those years teaching inclusive, healthy, and updated ways to float?â
New York Times: How to Save Yourself From âTask Paralysisâ
Does the first day of the new year falling on a Sunday feel like the ultimate Sunday Scaries? Iâm trying to take advice from this piece into the new year as I feel overwhelmed and intimidated by my to-do list. (Reminder: youâre not alone.)
Eater: The Year We Wanted to Be Fancy Little Bitches
Nothing like the world ending to make you want to treat yourself. This year, amidst the pandemic and continued uncertainty, we as a society leaned into the fancy things as a fun distraction â decadent lattes, beautiful cocktails, the farm-to-table creations of private chefs in the Hamptons. Personally, this was the year of my first ever espresso martini (and several more).
New York Times: âLudditeâ Teens Donât Want Your Likes
I know, I know, the third NYT article in here. But this oneâs a really fascinating piece including the voices of high school students who are promoting a lifestyle of self-liberation from social media and technology. Could ignoring internet trends be the next internet trend?
The Decision Lab: Moving the Mental Goalposts: Why Aiming for the âBestâ Isnât Always The Best Strategy
If youâre one to make new yearâs resolutions and set ambitious ones, this piece is for you. It argues how we often set âperfectâ goals and then feel disappointed when we donât reach them. Instead, we might consider setting âsatisfiableâ goals that are realistic and achievable. This piece has the science to back it up and provides useful tools on how to do it.
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đ§đźââď¸ Mindful Moment
One actionable thing to get you through this week
I donât really set new year's resolutions, but I do love bandwagoning onto anyone elseâs efforts. Open, one of my favorite mindfulness exercise apps, is doing a free breathwork and meditation challenge in January that Iâll be joining.
Youâll get unlimited access to their meditation, breathwork, and movement classes on their app (plus they offer $32 in-person classes in Venice, CA). If you complete 31 practices in 31 days, youâll get entered to win an in-person Open retreat.
If youâve been on the fence about meditation or breathwork, this is a perfect way to try it out + get into it.Â
Sign up here to join the challenge by January 5 â Iâll see you there!
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đ Better-Late-Than-Never Gift Ideas
Because nothing says âwelcome back to workâ than the gifts you forgot to buy before the holidays
For your social media manager: My friends at Social Media Tea make the sassiest, most relatable merch for all us SMMs and community managers. My favorites? The âIâm a team of oneâ Poster ($18) and the âHello, Iâm the Social Media Intern Managerâ Mug ($17). Since youâre in this cool club, you can use the code DETOX5 for 5% off your order now until the end of the year.
For your resident content creator: This $15 flexible tripod with a wireless remote so you can stop leaning your expensive iPhone against rocks and using a self-timer when you travel. This is the exact one I have and the flexible legs wrap around any light post or railing for your own self-directed photoshoot.
For your freelance contractor: A paid invoice. JK (kinda). As a small business, itâs really fun to get gifts from other small businesses. One of my favorites is Soft + Still Co., run by one of marketing twitterâs own Raphaela Mandel. These candles are by far the best with incredible scents, made with natural ingredients, and the most beautiful branding. Grab your favorite candle here and use the code LOVEANDLIGHT for 15% off.
For your office friend whoâs going through some things: Self-help books that donât feel so woo-hoo are my go to. My faves are: The Comfort Book ($15) by Matt Haig, Why Has No Body Told Me This Before by Dr. Julie Smith ($19, or $13 for the audiobook, which I listened to and is narrated by Dr. Julie), and Big Feelings: How to Be Okay When Things Are Not Okay ($19) by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy.
For the person who works from home but feels a little lonely: The biggest investment Iâve made this year in my business is a membership to Caveday. Itâs a virtual community that hosts co-working sessions on Zoom to help you stay focused and simulate an office environment. This newsletter issue was actually written in a Caveday session. Itâs also been a helpful reminder to take breaks throughout the day. Sign up (or grab a gift!) here to get special offers including your first month for only $1.
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đ The (ring) Light at the End of the Tunnel