I like making lists. I like reading lists. I’ve followed a practice for a number of years held by the Modern Mrs. Darcy and Emily P. Freeman. They ask the questions “What worked for me?” “What didn’t?” Today, I’m pecking away at my keyboard to join in on this reflection.
Another variation to consider in the real-time of our lives is “What’s working right now?” “What is not?” I have not-quite a handful of friends with whom I carry on long Whatsapp conversations. In one said conversation this week, a friend and I discussed these questions even though we didn’t name them. She told me she’d been asking “What can I automate? Designate? Or delegate?” I loved naming it in this way. My friend’s 2024 ended with a lot of plates to keep spinning and 2025 opened with a couple more added to the teetering stack. Life brings us all seasons like this.
Pausing to reflect on what’s working is a healthy practice in any of our regular days and it becomes extra important when life doubles up on us.
I’m curious as to what I will find as I compile what worked for me in 2024. In my normal style, I’m pretty sure my list will be a mish-mash, full of total asides, and it won’t be ordered by preference or month. I’d love to hear what worked for you! Maybe even what you wished would have worked for you! Don’t we all have those longings as well?
What Worked In 2024
Using Google Calendar on my phone instead of a paper planner or calendar ~ this is my second year to full time use a digital calendar but it’s working well for me. Five years ago I couldn’t imagine giving up my paper planner and now, here we are. Honestly, this is a great analogy to me of the consistent change of rhythms and routines and an arrow pointing to why it’s good to consider what’s still working and what might not be. It’s so convenient. The digital calendar. I’m never an early or fist adopter. I have to consider. Ease into things. But like I started using a digital grocery list on my phone several years ago….cue the confetti for one less thing to remember to grab on the way out the door…the digital calendar automates and designates. It reminds me of what I need to know, what I need to do, and what’s upcoming.
Speaking of grocery lists…..GROCERY PICKUP. This is full-on working for me right now. Most of my grocery shopping in 2024 was done for me by the faithful and hard-working employees at our local Wal-Mart and Dillons. I am eternally grateful.
Reading The Critical Journey ~ this book felt like a gift and helped explain questions I didn’t even know to ask, know how to ask, know who to ask. It was the piece I needed to click together the whole into a clear picture. It made so much sense to me.
Getting my ears pierced ~ I grew up in a very conservative faith tradition. Many things weren’t allowed or deemed necessary, and jewelry, wedding rings, earrings were among the number. Wanting to pierce my ears hadn’t been high on my list of desires. And then. 🙂 My daughter had hers pierced a little over a year and a half ago and it was so much fun watching her wear earrings. Another thing that factored in was my love of the leather earrings that became popular several, several years ago and the clay earrings on Etsy and in shops. In November, I decided why not? I found a piercing place with great reviews, made an appointment, and ta-da! My ears are pierced and I love it more than I anticipated.
Healthcare ~ Having a hysterectomy and starting thyroid medicine as 2024 drew to a close have both been good steps for me. I’m still in the process of looking back and realizing how much of the time I didn’t feel great and how often I was dragging and/or forcing myself to do what needed to be done. This inspired me to also schedule and have some dental work done I’d been needing, update my covid vaccine, and switch to a female primary care physician.
My Book Clerisy ~ we are coming up on three years strong! Our monthly meetings inspire me, feed my soul, make me laugh, offer great insights, delve into deep discussions. I couldn’t be more delighted! Not to mention the books these friends introduce me to.
Apps ~ I do love me some apps. What I’m mostly referring to here are shopping and food apps. The ease! The deals! Lists of favorites! Lists for re-ordering! I order Subway for Tucker occasionally when I’m in town. Not only do they offer great deals only in the app, I can customize the sandwiches, set pick-up time, and have it paid for making pickup at the store quick and easy. I’m all about quick and easy. I believe this might fall in whatever can be automated. 🙂
In the Sonic app, we can get half-price drinks at any time of the day. I drop drinks off to the farmers in the field fairly often on my way home from town in the summer.
My Wal-Mart and Dillons apps both automatically create lists of what I frequently order which is so helpful. Dillons shows me the current sales and shows any digital coupons available for an item I’m adding to my cart.
Traveling ~ we were able to take several last year and we enjoyed them all. It’s interesting to experience other places and delightful to go away from the normal demands and spend time playing. I love to go. I love to come home. Traveling always makes home feel so good again. We also registered for TSA pre-check and I love not needing to remove my shoes when we go through security at the airport.
Reading ~ I don’t have a set time. I didn’t have a beautiful routine to post about on IG. Some days I read early in the morning, most days I read at some point in the afternoon, and some evenings I curl up with a book and turn pages. The only inspiration you’ll find here is the habit of reading sometime, somewhere, something almost every day.
Thursday Morning Writing Time ~ most Thursday mornings my friend Allison and I meet over Zoom with our coffees and, hopefully, inspiration. We chat for a bit and then we spend time writing, creating, or journaling. I believe we are headed into our third year of this practice and I’m so grateful for it. It makes us show up and it adds meaningful intention for me. Allison sent me this book for Christmas ~ such a delightful surprise! The Artist’s Joy
Allison also hosts The Inky Collective if you love all things journaling or want to be inspired to journal.
Listening to Audiobooks on Spotify Premium ~ the primary account holder now receives fifteen hours of audiobook listening time each month. Once I realized this, I’ve put the hours to good use. The downside is when the time is used up partway through a book and partway through the month. But, I suppose, it’s not all bad to learn to wait, and my TBR will outlive me so one simply turns to audios from the library or Audible in-between. And Spotify is always happy to serve one an offer to top up and pay for extra time. 🙂
Samsung Tablet ~ I’ve looked at tablets. Considered them. Years ago I had a small Amazon Fire?? maybe? This fall I considered it again and then seriously started to read and compare and decided to order one. I use the Libby app to check out e-books from our library and I have a small collection of Kindle e-books. Reading them on a tablet instead of only my phone has been a great step. Particularly for my middle-aged eyesight. Ahem.
Whatsapp ~ I rarely answer my phone. To be honest, it doesn’t ring a lot and when it does it’s spam or a reminder from the eye doctor about an upcoming appointment or my farmer needing a ride during busy seasons. I do use and love Whatsapp. It works for me. It’s great to be able to send a voice message and my friends can listen and respond when time is available in their schedules.
Letting Go….it felt like dropping the ball on some things, it didn’t feel good always, but in the long run, it was good. Letting go of some expectations, letting go of some things I’d held for too long, letting go because I didn’t have the energy or ability, letting go because I listened to my intuition, letting go after I paused to ask questions and assess.
Charmin smooth tear toilet paper ~ I know….it seems like a funny/weird/hilarious/odd addition to my list. But I love the way the t.p. tears and I love the wavy edge it leaves and there’s been a lot of difficult days in the last five years and one thing I’ve learned is this. If something brings delight or joy or a spark of happiness, Pay Attention, Press Into It, Incorporate It Into Your Life If Possible.
Summer Shirts ~ I’m not much of a t-shirt wearer except for pajamas {just my personal preference} but I do like the ease of a shirt and jeans especially when it’s hot out. I ordered a few shirts in this style last spring and had the little epiphany that these are equivalent to t-shirts for me.
Lighting candles often ~ another practice that brings me delight. A flickering candle to bring the hygge in the winter days, embrace the freshness of spring paired with open windows, and welcome cooler temps and crisp days when autumn approaches.
A few candles I love ~ these from Mercy House
Candles from Beacon & Branch ~ their Christmas ones had artwork this year by my friend Katy Rose
Candles by La Jolie Muse ~ they come in the prettiest containers
Open Windows ~ such a long-time favorite…..I love those perfect days when the windows are open all day long and all night too…sunshine skies of brilliant blue, birds chirping, breeze rustling, curtains dancing, the outdoors filtering in.
I’m sure I could add more….and more….but I think I’ll call it! I’d love to hear your list. Happy January comrade friends! What are you anticipating?
