Things I've left behind in 2023 (and the things that I'm carrying with me into the new year).
It's the final newsletter of the year, and this one is a bit different than the last year-end round up.
I know that I’m not the only one to say that I’m so happy 2023 is coming to an end. Not only did I lose faith in humanity, but I often lost faith in myself. But there is hope! There is always hope for something better at the start of something new.
For 2024, here are some things that I’m leaving behind in 2023.
Eating Meat.
I stopped eating meat in February because my fertility endocrinologist recommended it. I’m now a dedicated pescatarian. Do you know what really sucks? I feel so much better even though I still really miss a good BLT.
Wired Bras.
I have 2 wired bras left for fancy outfits that require it, but for the most part, I’ve converted my entire collection to Harper Wilde. With an overly blessed chest, I was done with shoulder grooves, bruises and scarring. Focusing on comfort also makes me feel so much better.
Plastics and Parabens.
This is also a recommendation from my fertility endocrinologist, but products with phthalates and parabens such as containers in the kitchen along with non-stick pans, scented soaps etc are hormone disruptors. For our overall health, I replaced all the plastic containers I used with glass. I replaced soaps with parabens free. It took some time because it is not cheap, but I feel better about what I’m using in my home.
Beauty Guilt.
I used to feel so guilty when I spent money on my nails, or hair. I even felt guilt when I bought clothes that I needed (I’ve been using a capsule wardrobe system for about 5 years until 2023). I’m done with the beauty guilt! I’m going to take the time I want to wear jewelry, or get my hair done, or do my nails because it makes me happy. If I can afford it, and budget for it, then I’m buying that lipstick from Violette FR or the mascara from Iliya.
Productivity Planning.
Okay this is a big one, and I know that people who have followed me for a long time are probably like, WTF Nisha !? But don’t worry, it’s not as extreme as it sounds. I’m still that planner productivity fiend that you all know and love. But I’m not longer impulse buying planners or apps. I’m no longer spending countless hours planning my week. At the start of the first semester of my PhD, I realized that my planning time had to be limited to twenty minutes on a Sunday. And guess what? It worked just as well if not better than the hours I’d painstakingly figure out my schedule.
I use Notion as a database for all of the information I need to have readily accessible
I use Google Calendar for appointments, events, and travel dates
I use my Cloth and Paper planner for daily time blocking and scheduling
I know that it’s quite a bit of things that no longer serve me, that I’m leaving in 2023. But guess what? I learned a lot this year, and I am also taking quite a few things with me. So here is my short list of my 2024 items that will continue to serve my growth and soft-life happiness.
Activism.
I continue to feel like it’s my purpose and mission to support my community and marginalized people in the workplace, and now in education institutions. I hope to continue to find ways I can be of service to others, especially when we are watching our leaders deny war crimes and the humanitarian crises that are happening in our world.
Day One.
As a writer, I think it’s really hilarious that I am not a journalling person. But in 2023, I started writing 3 things I’m grateful for in my Day One journalling app, and I haven’t stopped. Okay, sometimes it’s not gratitude, but more of a to-do list, or a rant, or a sad introspective post, but it helps clear my head of the cobwebs in the morning.
Once a Month.
Hubs and I started to do this thing where we tried one new thing a month. By the end of the year, we had twelve new experiences that we were really excited we were able to do. In 2023, we did a bagel making workshop, a woodworking workshop, we saw a concert in an aquarium, traveled to Ireland and played tourist in New York City. We took a fall foliage train ride and we planted a garden. In 2024, we’re going to carry on that tradition.
Stitch Fix and Hello Fresh.
I know not everyone can afford either SF or Hello Fresh, and I’m so blessed to be able to do both. I’m going to take both with me into 2024 because they’ve decreased decision fatigue at night and I feel like there is one more thing off my plate if I don’t have to worry about what to wear and what to eat. Stitch Fix comes once a quarter with some seasonal items specifically for school and writing events while Hello Fresh comes 3x a week. The other nights our dinners are usually super simple Indian food, or left overs.
Running the bakery vs. baking the bread.
Sierra Simone once told me that we can’t make the best bread we can if we’re too busy running the bakery. So in 2024, I’m going to continue to focus on baking bread while I offload some of the really intensive marketing and author branding work to my assistant (who I ADORE). As a marginalized author, I know there is even more pressure for us to perform, to market to our own communities because publishing houses are still learning how to best support us. I’m just going to have to accept that there is only so much I can do, and my sole focus should be about the bread.
Thank you to all of my friends and supporters who have been so incredible during this year filled with really high highs and really low lows. Here’s to another year of learning, a year of growing, and more soft-life* experiences <3.
xoxo Nisha
*Soft life: A phrase originating with Nigerian influencers about living a life free of struggle and stress. It’s about setting boundaries and focusing on the happy moments.
This is a really beautiful newsletter Nisha. Thank you for sharing with us.
I love this!