An Inventory of My Life
Never one for resolutions, my intention was to start the New Year with a list of affirmations and a few systems in place.
2022 was not about the goals unlocked but breaking down the steps that’d take me there and finding the joy in that journey. But before I put pen to paper, I knew I needed to take note of the past year. What I'd learned, what hurt, the baggage I should leave behind, but most importantly, what I was grateful for.
The internal shift that takes place when acknowledging your joys and success is something I wish everybody could feel. It doesn't have to be overly earnest or gushy, but a simple list of things that make you happy. Inspired by the late-great Nora Ephron, I wanted to jot down all the moments I’d missed over the past year: the good, the bad and the petty. Two years into a pandemic, it's clear we'll never return to how things were. So perhaps this time, I could make peace with what once was to really embrace the possibility of what could be.
A List Of Things I Miss —
And Do Not Miss (Inspired By Nora Ephron's Lists)
Miss: Dancing
Don't Miss: Overpriced everything and hangovers
Miss: One-on-one intimate conversations with friends
Don't Miss: Underpinned sadness of everyone having to leave
Miss: Traveling
Don't Miss: Taking the ability to move freely for granted
Miss: The escapism of social media (to a degree)
Don't Miss: The cancel culture, faux wokeness and petty bullshit
Miss: Making plans
Don't Miss: Making plans only to reschedule
Miss: Seeing my family in IRL
Don't Miss: Avoiding them because I've got "too much going on"
Miss: Dressing up!
Don't Miss: Chasing validation
Miss: Being "busy"
Don't Miss: Filling my day with tasks I don't want to do
Absolutely Don't Miss: Thinking therapy can wait
Miss: Ultra glossy lip balm
Don't Miss: Vigilant chin hair plucking
Miss: When cooking was fun
Don't Miss: Feeling guilty for not cooking enough
Miss: "I'm so happy I got to see you."
Don't Miss: "We should hang out soon."
Miss: Impromptu events
Don't miss: Making reservations for absolutely everything
Miss: The thrill of trying something new
Don't Miss: The pandemic productivity hell-scape
Miss: Taking holiday photos with my friends
Don't Miss: The microaggressions that followed us everywhere
Miss: "What are you doing tonight?"
Don't Miss: FOMO
Miss: Hugs
Don't Miss: Awkward fist bumps
Miss: Believing my parents will be around forever
Don't miss: Taking them for granted
Miss: Being able to physically express my love
Don't miss: Not saying 'I love you' enough
