What have I been up to since I last wrote in November, you ask? Frankly, I’m leaning into a blissfully boring state of existence. Loads of books are being read, lots of time spent with my therapist, I’m cooking through a bunch of saved recipes from the NYT , listening to every episode of Maintenance Phase, and even signing up for their Patreon because I cannot get enough of unlearning fatphobia, debunking wellness trends, and giggling along with the hosts over what their research turns up. Without employment taking up 40+ hours of my week, I have time to reflect on all the ways jobs and work and production can become a substitute for a personality, so I’m working diligently on developing mine.
This installment is an obligatory last-day-of-the-year reflection. An arbitrary list of things I’ve accomplished, enjoyed, and were memorable for me during this latest orbit around the sun. I’m choosing 21 things to commemorate because, why not? It’s my newsletter and I get to be corny as hell if I want to!
Without further ado…
21 Happenings of 2021
I bought this lamp and I love sitting at my dining table and staring adoringly at its glow.
This calendar year, I met my out-of-pocket maximum for out-of-network expenses on my health insurance plan, the first time I’ve ever done so!
On Sept. 27, I was at the opening night of the Metropolitan Opera with my dearest friends and it was such a lovely evening and a special memory I’ll never forget.
I watched all the Marvel movies in chronological order, except for the new releases this year, which I watched but not technically in chronological sequence (sans Spider-Man: No Way Home due to skipping a trip to the theater during NYC’s Omicron surge). Revisiting movies I haven’t seen in years and watching the events unfold along the timeline they were supposed to happen was a lot of fun, and made all the new content coming out even more exciting to watch!
I started watching Succession and am very invested now and plan to rewatch it soon because I truly savor the familiar anxiety of trying to get paperwork signed. I also need to channel some of Gerri’s energy in the new year, specifically–
I quit my job!
I intentionally took an extended break from working for the first time in my life. It was the best decision for me and I’m so grateful for this time to decompress and take care of myself before I embark on something new.
I purchased a new couch and then waited approximately 4-6 months for it to be delivered. Once it arrived, my quality of comfort improved dramatically, as well as Winston’s nap satisfaction.
I acquired a Peloton and started cycling then had to stop cycling 9 months later because all the activity had compromised my pelvic floor. I’m currently on a strict regimen of yoga and stretching under the guidance of all the health professionals who assisted in maxing out my out-of-network expenses. Maybe next year I’ll get back in the saddle!
I read 40 books! Mostly good ones with a few meh-to-ugh reads.
I was intentional about reading fiction, and my favorites were The Life of the Mind: A Novel, One Last Stop, We Are Watching Elize Bright, and The Murmur of Bees.
I was impacted by a lot of nonfiction reads too. The ones I will return to soon are Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's Anger (an infuriating and necessary read for anyone who was born with a vagina and I’m sure an illuminating read for those born without a vagina), Power Moves: How Women Can Pivot, Reboot, and Build a Career of Purpose, Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself, and All About Love: New Visions (RIP bell hooks 💔).
I wrote strings of words over and over and over again! 12 installments of Life of Leah were sent out, I attended 21 writing workshop sessions between Fledgling and Catapult, and filled out so many pages across Google Docs, Google Keep, and a real-life journal.
Dustin and I left our apartment to see the world! Or at least to see Rhode Island where we witnessed actual cannons, purchased from Paul Revere in 1798, get fired off on the 4th of July. In winter, we cozied up in a boho home and meandered through downtown Hudson, NY. To commemorate our 9-year-anniversary in August, we ventured to Mountain Dale, NY and hiked to a waterfall despite being dressed inappropriately for the outing (photo below). Our last trip was to CA where we joyfully celebrated his sister’s wedding out in the woods with family from all over, including our nephews who never run out of energy. Quarantining together has been a strange and annoying experience for us at times; we had to relearn how to live together after sharing space for years! Getting the chance to travel with some confidence and safety this year was a relief, and also helped us realize how much we love coming back to the home we’ve created together.
In spite of Peloton Pelvis, I moved my body consistently this year, an improvement over 2020!
I went to a movie theater 15 times! 7 of those movies were seen in November! I’m mad at Omicron for taking this simple joy away from me!
I started watching Sex and the City for the first time in my life and have very mixed feelings on this classic. But I finally know what it means to be a Carrie: a terribly self-centered person stuck in infuriating relational loops with lukewarm reflective takes! I hate Carrie and I hope it’s not one of those psychological twists where I’m actually a Carrie.
I spent time with friends and family ❤️ What a treat. If you’re not pictured I still adore you, and we probably need to take a photo together the next time we see each other.
Early this year an eye doctor told me I needed glasses, and I was incredulous because my entire life I’ve been told I have perfect eyesight! But I listened to the professional and bought glasses and wore them dutifully. Months later, I scratched my cornea (mentioned here) and after treating it, I visited another eye doctor for a post-healing exam. This eye doctor informed me my vision is perfect and I do not need glasses. LOL WHAT THE FUCK. Are my eyes functioning flawlessly or not???? I may need to seek a 3rd opinion!
I got vaxxed! And boosted! Huzzah!
I repeatedly listened to Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift albums. I am a basic bitch with occasionally deep insights, okay?! Let me live!
That’s a wrap on 2021! I hope when you reflect on the past year, you’re able to find the moments of joy alongside the moments of pain. Every year is a mixed bag, but remembering these 21 happenings reminded me of my gratefulness for the good things and my begrudging acceptance of the bad. If you find 2021 is not worth reflecting on and just need to get to 2022, also go for that!
My last sincere wish for you is that you have health insurance. My next wish is for your health insurance to have a reasonable copay for therapy to help you recover from any traumas incurred during this year or previous ones! May 2022 be occasionally boring for all of us🤞🏻
You’ll hear from me again at some point next year. Thank you for reading about my silly little life 💝