👋 I don't understand you
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Jen here. I get so nostalgic around this time of year. I get so desperate to file away what the heck just happened in the months that passed and slap a label on it all.
2024 wasn’t a year of wildly big wins. Some silent ones. Some life changing ones. Some super sad ones. But none that made me scream: this year will forever be known as….
We still have time to change that. See: Co0o0l Little Thing project.
But if you’re over it all and winding down, ready to give into Hallmark Christmas movie marathons and holiday cookie swaps, it’s okay to write off 2024 for what it wsa.
But let me ask you, what was it?
What exactly was this year for you?
👋 Welcome to the Monday Pick-Me-Up. A few years ago, I started doing a year-end inventory that helped me see exactly how I spent my time, my heart, and my energy throughout the year. Sharing that with you below.
Ps. I’ll be back in your inbox on December 2nd. Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday. I can’t say this enough, I am forever grateful for you dear reader. You make my Mondays have meaning and you give me purpose unlike anything else in my life.❤️
Take Inventory on 20234. Here’s how:
Open up a word document and write down each month of the year. Then go through last year’s calendar, week-by-week, and jot down the important events, significant moments, lingering memories and anything else that stuck with you during that time frame. For each month, I like to write down (3) wins and (3) things that didn’t go as well as I hoped.
Use your phone’s calendar, search through photographs, look at your social media feed. All of those things can help you remember what happened month-by-month.
Remember, nothing you write down is too small.
Everything you write down matters.
Fill in for November and December later on.
But looking at the other 10-months, start to assign a few metrics to them.
On a scale of 1-5 (1 being ehh and 5 being yay) how would rate the month?
What lesson did you learn from the month and the rating you gave it? Ex: June was a 2 because I wasn’t taking care of myself and I was working way too much. The lack of balance messed with me mentally and set me back in a lot of ways. January was a 5 because I followed a good routine with my workouts and I was able to focus during work hours so that I could have time at night and weekends to see friends and do fun things.
After auditing each month, what are your (3) takeaways from how you spent 2024? Ex: I wasted too much time on projects, people, and procrastinating on things that don’t matter.
Ps. there’s a part 2 to this but I’ll save that for December. See you then <3
If you know anybody who would adore getting this inside their inbox, share this with them!
👏 Instant Pick Me Ups
🛒: Things I loved so far this month:
The most amazing toddler toy.
If you’re traveling anywhere cold, here are some essential items that are inexpensive but warm: a puffer jacket, a scarf, and this sweater.
A bit pricey but I live in these pants when lounging around the house.
I absolutely love this lip gloss.
I swear by this face mask. Whenever I have a big pimple, I slather this on top of it and it helps it go away overnight.
📖: I love all her books and just started reading this one.
🎵: My go-to playlist when I need some good background music to power through work.
📺: This movie destroyed me — in a really good way.
⏰: Plan out in advance what you’re shopping for before BFCM so that you don’t impulse buy. Set a budget and use an app like ___ to check if you are actually a good deal and price.
🎡🎢🎆 Co0o0ol Little Thing
Here are my updates from this week. Five hours spent like this:
I spent 3/5 hours this week working on my Co0o0l Little Thing. I started actually writing the final chapter. It’s not very good but that’s how the process goes. I throw it all on the page and then rewrite until it pops. I felt myself starting to slack and tap into my old ways (I binged a Netflix show instead of working on this). So to help push me forward, I hired two professionals to give me deadlines.
First, a proofreader. I told her I’ll send over the final chapter the first week of edits. Having that date in mind limits how much time I have to write that chapter and I work well under pressure.
I also hired a book formatter who is going to make sure the insides of the book look professional. I promised the full manuscript by the second week of December.
Am I mad at myself for not doing 5/5 hours this week? Ehhh not really. I’m proud I did any hours at all.
Co0o0ol Little Thing isn’t a test of perfection. It’s an experiment in taking steps forward and working on something that I put off for years.
When we try but not as much as we hoped, there’s still a reason to celebrate. So celebrate, okay?
See you in December <3
-Jen