Hello, ITER fam.
I hope this finds you well.
We are a few days away from 2024. And during this time when the year ends and the other one starts, I’ve been losing myself in a chaotic cycle of naps, eating, watching TV, and not making much of my time — which isn’t half as bad as it sounds. But as we approach the end of the year, it’s time for my usual retrospective and boy, oh boy, is it a very neutral one.
So get comfortable. We’re going on a trip — not long, but still.
As usual, I really appreciate it when you share my newsletter!
And if you are not subscribed, please sign up! It will make your 2024 so much more cooler.
And with this, we move on our regular programming.
Every year, it’s the same ritual. I walk to a café, usually settling on Ferlucci because it’s nearby. I bring a book, Moleskine, Muji pens, and a computer. I order a coffee or chai latté, sit down, and open my year goals. You know, the ones I’ve written in January.
Let's say 2023 wasn’t the year where I achieved my list. I think I checked out 4 of my little checklist for the year.
I’m not really sad about it. 2023 was neutral. Or chaotic, to say the least.
But this year, I want to do things differently. I suffered from burnout in 2023. It changed my whole outlook on time. It also changed my whole outlook on who I am and what I want out of my life.
I’ve been erasing all version of this newsletter. Nothing feels appropriate to be said about the year that passed. I am grateful, I’m doing ok. I’m healing, slow and steady. I’m going to therapy. But 2023 has been a very neutral year. Nothing special, nothing worth being overly excited about. Just, life goes on.
And I wonder if this is what’s in it for me, as a 30-something woman living an urban environment. Will years come and go and all look the same? Or is it only this year? Am I settling into the routine or is it just a transitional year? What makes 2023 so insignificant?
I want to believe my expectations were too high. I want to believe everyone had the same year. I want to believe there’s a gloomy sadness floating above this end of year. And for a good reason : the war, the strikes in Quebec, the recession. Maybe we should forget 2023.
This being said, I am grateful for one thing. You. Yes, you, person reading me. 2023 is the year I nearly stopped writing, but you’ve encouraged me. You’ve sent me messages, you’ve sent me DMs, you’ve subscribed, and stayed subscribed. This newsletter passed the cap of 100 subscribers and it’s been growing ever since. And it’s all because of you.
So thank you. Thank you for making me believe I can continue on and write. I owe it all to you.
So, what’s in store for 2024?
It’s too early to talk about what 2024 has in store for me, and this newsletter. But I finally kind of found a rythym and things I want to write about, so this newsletter will continue in 2024 with even more features. But let’s go back to 2024.
For now, I’m looking forward for these three things in the new year :
A 4 days trip to New York City in early February (that’s pretty normal when you live in Montréal, but I’m still excited about it)
My first trip to Europe in 15 years!! We are going to London for a week — for my bestie Chloé’s 30th — and I’m excited to discover the UK. It isn’t Ireland (too expensive,) but it’s a start. Also, the Tate Modern, the shopping, the food, the scene, the bars… SO MANY THINGS TO SEE!
Osheaga 2024! We are going for the whole weekend this year, and I don’t really cover the festival, so it’s all about enjoying the music. I’m looking forward for the 3 headliners (Noah Kahan, Green Day and SZA!!!)
As for the rest, I guess it will be a surprise. I have a list of things I’d like to accomplish in 2024, but they are pretty personal, and there’s no pressure into not achieving them. I’m going to work on my Tiktok presence too… just for the fun of having a tiktok— and being less scared of filming myself.
Oh, and first thing first, I’m going back to brunette in January.
In 2024, I’m embracing my own cool girl vibe™️, so watch out. I’ll still cry and be a mess, but a hot cool confident mess. I’m also embracing being in my thirties. It would be cool if I stop being so scared of being a thirty-something woman.
Ending on a musical note…
I’m nicknamed DJ Depressing for a reason. This reason is my taste for sad music. Anyways. I’ve done a soft sad playlist for 2024. A playlist that brings hope, with a hint of nostalgia and pain. 30 songs to start the year strong.
But for real, I can only wish you all a nice break. There are still a couple of days left before we go back to our lives. So enjoy the time purgatory in which we are, and don’t forget to not have any resolutions.
You’ll end up more disappointed than happy in the end.
Happy new year y’all.
-xo
Y.