Every year, our team resurfaces a conversation about New Year’s resolutions. And every year, we are similarly stumped by the divisive feelings they incite. Do you set goals? Do you maintain those goals? Do you regret those goals? Rather than prescribe one approach to the New Year, we asked our staff to reflect on 2022. In retrospect, they’re analyzing the larger lifestyle shifts (or lack thereof) they attempted this year and their thoughts on those ideas one year later. (Plus, they’re linking the helpful items that helped them implement those shifts). Read (and shop) more below.
Jess Teves, Editor in Chief On Just Being
I changed very little about my lifestyle this year. I would love to tell you I kept my promise to work out every day, eat a vegetarian diet, cut out all dairy, and drink less red wine, but alas, here I am mid December and I’ve stuck to none of those larger lifestyle shifts I declared I was embarking on this year—and that’s okay. I feel okay with just being right now; with being fluid with what my body wants and needs and adapting accordingly. I know that’s not all that revolutionary, but perhaps that’s not really what I needed this year. As I get older and think about my greater purpose, I realize there are moments when I need to adapt—either in my way of thinking or lifestyle habits—and there are others when it’s time to pump the brakes and simply be. It doesn’t mean complacency and it certainly doesn’t signify a lack of growth, but sometimes nothing new is also something comforting. But since the purpose of this piece was to also shop items that carried us through the year, here are some things I enjoyed on the regular (maybe not to be used all at once).
Samantha Wu, Marketing Coordinator On Journaling
I’ve always been thoughtful about monitoring my mental health and exploring the various ways to ease my naturally anxious mind. I’ve tried everything from guided meditations to yoga to simply listening to music. While these methods are helpful for some, the most impactful tactic I’ve tried is journaling. Since I was in high school, I’ve kept a personal journal for memory’s sake, but this year I’ve leaned into journaling as a form of personal therapy. From goal setting to weekly check-ins to expressing gratitude, journaling has not only become part of my nightly routine but a form of self-care, no matter the time of year.
Claire Flanagan, Associate Producer On Pilates
Though Pilates isn't totally new to my exercise routine—I’ve been doing workouts on YouTube from my apartment for a while—this year I decided to take the plunge and join a studio. I thought that being in a class with an instructor and the machine would improve my form and create a better experience overall, and it did! Plus, the early morning classes really give me such a prolonged mood boost throughout the day that I'm considering increasing my membership level for 2023.
Katie Mok, Editorial Production Fellow On Scrapbooking
After cleaning out drawers full of plane tickets, polaroids, receipts, old wrappers, and stickers, I’ve realized that I hoard these memories from weekend trips, concerts, and nights out with friends. I kept all of them and couldn’t bear to throw them away, so what better way to preserve these memories than to create a visual memory in the form of a scrapbook? The creation of each new page allows me to relive the night once again. I love that I get to look back to see what happened in my year—something I’d love to continue in 2023.
Amanda Beausoleil, Associate Manager Brand Partnerships & Sales On Meditation & Healing
At the beginning of 2022 I participated in a “live your word” workshop that focused on finding your word for the year. Through a series of activities and writing prompts, I came to the realization that I needed to surrender more in my life, ergo surrender became my word. With that in mind, I decided to surrender to my inner-healing process and to try different practices to see what resonated the best with me, myself, and my inner-child. Meditation is one practice that I’ve been consistent with throughout the year. I had tried meditation in the past, but could never stick with it. This year I used the Ten Percent Happier app and it was a game changer. Now, I start my mornings with meditation in order to feel grounded, identify my emotions, and experience living in the present moment. Looking back on the year, it’s a bit surreal how surrendering opened the floodgates for new opportunities, experiences, and healing. I learned that my controlling habits built resistance, and the moment I decided to let go, I made room for abundance.
Caroline Dunn, Manager, Sales & Brand Partnerships On Cooking & Mixology
I honestly cannot believe how amazing this year turned out to be; I believe that January 2022 Caroline would be shocked by where I am just one year later. Aside from getting to go on some amazing trips with family and friends, getting engaged, and planning a wedding, I also moved into an apartment where I can finally see myself settling in and staying for the long term. After cultivating a space that is both maximally comfortable (shout out to my heavenly Quince bedding) and true to my style, I’ve decided to work on enjoying more nights in with my fiance and friends by improving my kitchen and mixology skills. I have made some of my favorite discoveries through Hive’s sustainable marketplace. (At this point, I would probably consider Jar Goods Vodka Sauce a desert island item.) Galliano Espresso liqueur was the product that sparked my newfound passion for at-home cocktails (they literally use this for the espresso martinis at Dante, *chef’s kiss*), but my newest addition has been Yola Mezcal, which is hand filtered in Oaxaca at an all-female bottling facility.
