Resolution

We’re a few weeks into January. How are you doing on your resolutions? 

If asked, I say I never make any even though I do. I always have a few: exercise, wear bolder colors, travel. These are things I think about in passing at the start of each year, but I’m usually more interested in choosing a new theme than I am in assigning myself specific tasks. Past themes have been “say 'yes' more,” followed, inevitably, by “say 'no' more,” and mantras like “do less but do better” and “be a more available friend.” The goal is to keep adding new themes without replacing previous ones.

For 2023, I’m still deciding. My standard, tangible goals notwithstanding, choosing a theme for the year has become difficult. I’d like to believe that this is because I’ve reached Peak Sarah and no more self-improvement is necessary. That is, of course, not the case. My lack of vision for the last few New Years has been a result of - as so many things are these days - the pandemic. “Just get through this week” and “don’t get too depressed” dominated 2021, and a post-booster shot 2022 became about rebuilding what had been lost. i.e., more family visits, going out to actual bars and restaurants (indoors!) with friends again, adjusting to the new (old) work schedule of Sean going into the office regularly and remembering my routine home alone. 

“Rediscovery,” in retrospect, was my unconscious theme for 2022. This newsletter was born from my desire to rediscover lost joys, after all. In 2023, that’s what this newsletter will continue to focus on, but it will be about yet-to-be-discovered joys too. If my goal of 2022 was to reclaim lost pieces of myself, 2023 will be about figuring out where to put them. 

This month’s newsletter is going to be short and sweet with a dash of existentialism (much like myself). Hope your 2023 is starting strong, and thanks for entering the second year of Sarah Writes Too with me.

FUN STUFF

What I'm Reading: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

What I'm Watching: The Last of Us (HBO)

What I'm Listening To: boygenius

What I'm Eating: Cheese! (specifically White Fox Leicester Aged Cheddar from my local cheese shop!)

Sarah Writes Too is a monthly newsletter of short, personal essay-style anecdotes written by me (Sarah LaPolla). If you want to send me questions or comments about any of my posts, you can reply to this email or find me on Twitter at @sarahlapolla. This is a free newsletter. The best way to show support is to subscribe to have future editions sent directly to your inbox (never more than one a month!), or share on social media.