Thirty-Seven

Looking back on the last year

Dearest reader,

thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter & for your patience!

Looks like I took an unexpected - and unplanned - break from Substack. June was an odd month for me. It felt like the longest month and my exhaustion and chronic fatigue really kicked it up a notch.

But then July arrived, aka birthday month; mine as well as that of a ton of family and friends 💐✨

The day after my 37th birthday, I jotted down a list of, you guessed it, 37 changes, observations, and some challenges from the last year that I look back on. The three absolute highlights are at the top, the rest is in no particular order.

Luna, sunshine of my heart. Just look at that face 😻😻😻

Thirty-Seven

1. My first cat, Luna

2. My second cat, Jo

3. Became an aunt for the fourth time 🥳🥰

4. Crocheting granny squares

5. Night out to see Alok Vaid-Menon

6. Mom’s chocolate cake that she makes every year for my birthday

   

   Celebrating my birthday with my family - and my mom’s chocolate cake. The best one in the world (ask anyone who’s tried it) 🎂

7. Sweet messages from my niece & nephew

8. So many urges and ideas for my next tattoo(s)

9. Only went abroad once - Italy (a personal low from the last 20 years)

10. Loyal member of the local public library

11. Expansion of my balcony garden

12. More writing

13. Daily Swedish lessons

14. Obsession (?) with Sudoku

15. First (very short) bike ride in a long time

16. Keeping that buzz cut

17. Found my perfect skincare routine¹

18. New sandals! (after years without cute ones)

19. Pancake or Waffle Sundays

20. Two major comfort movies: Red, White, & Royal Blue (my savior last summer) + Call Me By Your Name

21. Daily lunchtime naps

22. No alcohol for over two years

23. Did not see the Northern lights 😢

24. Most unplanned time since I was 15

25. 20 years ago, I lived abroad for the first time (in England)

26. Higher sensitivity to bullshit

27. Saying “no” more often to others, and “yes” more often to myself

28. More singing and dancing (with my cats as the perfect audience)

29. Luxury of cool breezes

30. Accepting help

31. First money I earned for my writing!!! (Thank you, thank you, thank you dear paid subscribers!!!)

    

32. Candor

33. More reading compared to last year

34. A daily sense of wonder

35. Dreams that are vivid af

36. In year 3 of my set of chronic conditions

37. My furry family (bears repeating)

Jo, my little monkey cat. Doesn’t like it, when I take her picture.

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Words that remain

A little note my nephew wrote for me as I left his house after my birthday celebration.

Gogo (his and my niece’s nickname for me as their godmother) I wish you had a happy birthday. I will miss you. 🥰🥰🥰

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A question that remains…

Do you have a practice of regular reflection? What does it show you? ✨✨✨

1. Wash my face with water and a Kongy sponge; spritz with rose water; apply an organic serum; apply organic oils or face cream (depending on the season). Done!