My Highlights of 2023

It’s a new year, ya’ll. 2024.  

How many times will I date something 23 out of habit? Not sure, but I already did it today when writing up client notes.  

I hope you had some time to reflect on the highlights, challenges, and learnings of 2023.  

Many of my yearly highlights included travel and people I love. Spring break in NYC, a family reunion that included 21 people in 1 Airbnb, two girlfriend retreats,  Fort Lauderdale with the hubby, Halloween events, a wedding, and countless dinners and parties with friends.  

This year, I saw Ethan emcee the Applause Awards, sing in two voice recitals, act in a few student films, and lead in two musicals. Seeing him perform is one of my greatest joys.

What were your highlights?  Hit reply and let me know!  

In between listening to podcasts, I read/listened to 19 books this year. I continued my streak of less nonfiction books and dove into fun fiction.   

I read several books by the same author. Ex- the Beartown trilogy from Fredrik Backman, Bill Hodges (Mr. Mercedes)  Trilogy by Stephen King, and several books from Taylor Jenkins Reid, including Daisy Jones and the Six. 

I enjoyed Stanley Tucchi’s memoir Taste and Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult. For young adult fiction, I loved The Grace Year by Kim Ligget -Think Handmaid Tale meets the Hunger Games.   

I read Fast Like a Girl by Mindy Pelz, The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck and Lessons for Living by Phil Stutz.  

The standouts were Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt and Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Gamous 

What was your reading standout? What should I read in 2024? 

Just as I love books, I also love the stories told on TV.  

This year, some highlights included watching the final seasons of Ted Lasso, the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Succession, and Firefly Lane.  

I also loved Shrinking, The Last of Us, Only Murders in the Building, the Morning Show, and probably my favorite 2023 discovery- my two-season binge of The Bear.

Now, we go from looking back to looking ahead. 

I like to think of this month as exploratory. I don’t mean I blow off January. Rather, it remains deeply contemplative as I “try on” what themes and desires I have for the year ahead to make sure it fits. Sometimes things look good on the rack and not the same when we put it on our bodies. Same concept here- I want to make sure what I’m desiring, planning, creating, and focusing on what feels aligned and integrated, not like a fad diet that comes on strong and burns out quickly. 

At this moment, you may already be on fire with your 2024 vision and plans. If so, know that I am excited for you and cheering you on. I’d also love to hear about it.  

If you are still in hibernation or recovering physically or mentally from the holidays or feel uninspired or stressed, then I want to invite you to remember or declare for yourself that you are not behind. You haven’t missed the New Year’s boat. I get it. This newsletter is hours late to your inbox because I am days late writing it.

Winter is meant for stillness, rest, and reflection. Winter is for emptying out and being in the fertile void until it’s time to plant seeds. If that’s where you are, honor it.  

I don’t have my 2024 mapped out, but next week is the Visioning 2024 Call and the Work on It Workshop with a Vision Board Breakout Room.  See below for more details. As always, thank you for reading my love notes every Thursday. I’m grateful for your comments and support.