The Best of 2023

An overdue list

Feb 23, 2024

2023 was a really weird year to have a good year.

With everything going on in the world, sometimes near and oftentimes far, it can be hard to celebrate personal wins without feeling….guilty? wrong? unaware?

But I want to dispel that myth that I can be aware of what’s going on in the world, and yet still be joyous about the developments in my personal life. (also for a post way better than I could ever write along the same lines, read this by Marci Alvis Walker)

We had a lot of fun, took some amazing trips, made great memories, and accomplished a lot. It felt like a year that was a culmination of many, many years of hard work, and I’m going to celebrate it.

Not to say there weren’t hard days, but this is the first year for me that wasn’t marked by lingering anxiety under the surface of so many thoughts. It felt like a first year of freedom, the first year of feeling more set in myself.

So let’s go through the year via categories!

LIFE

Focusing on fun
At the end of 2022, Connor and I sat down and made a list of things we wanted to do in 2023. And I’m happy to say we did all of them!
Examples:
Paramore concert
Somebody Feed Phil Live
NCAA basketball tournament
Nashville Predators game
Nashville SC match

Making a list helped us be so much more intentional about actually doing these things. So many times we are like, “Wow we should have more fun.” And then never do anything. We have a smaller list for 2024 because we bought a house and that is expensive.

Other things I did for fun this year:
Saw Fast X by myself with a bag of Panera at 8:30am on a Saturday morning
Snacks by the pool
Getting my nails done
Beyonce's concert with two friends

Reading Club
In February 2023 I posted on social media that I was inspired by the reading club

Claire

was in and wanted to start my own. I already had one friend I knew would be interested, but other than that, it would be mostly people I didn’t know.

I have to say, it’s one of my favorite things that happened this year. I look forward to our meeting (and snacking) every month. We have such great discussions that go beyond books.

Friendship
This was the first year in a long time that I felt more relaxed in my friendships. I didn’t worry about what I wasn’t invited to or what I was missing out on. I focused on what I DID have. I made a list of “yes” friends. People that I was always going to show up for and say yes to whenever possible. It’s not that I wasn’t going to for people outside this list, it’s that these people I’m going to rearrange schedules for and go above and beyond.

Also, can I highly suggest meeting your internet best friend in real life?

Hannah Moerman

and I finally got to meet in May and it didn’t feel real in the best way. But the problem now is that I really, REALLY wish we lived closer than 2,100 miles away. She is everything you want in a friend- kind, reliable, funny, encouraging.

Travel
This is the second May in a row that we have gone to Europe and it’s, I gotta say, pretty darn great. Barcelona and Nice were amazing.

We also went to 30a for the first time like true dwellers of Franklin, TN and kinda fell in love with Rosemary Beach. It’s beautiful, tranquil, and the perfect place for a long weekend away.

To escape the heat in the South, we went to Montana in August with some friends. Great life choice. Except I learned that I am most definitely, not a hiker. I don’t enjoy it. It hurts my body. I like being outside- patios, beach, balcony, etc. But like being outdoors? Nope.

True Self-Care
I purposefully haven’t talked about this on the internet for the past 9 months I’ve been doing it. I don’t fully know why. Part of me wanted to ensure I was doing it for me. Other parts of me are scared of talking about bodies on the internet.

But I started working with a personal trainer. It’s someone I know personally, and it’s changed my life forever. I did physical therapy in March and then started training. I’m working on a full post about it, but it was hands down my best choice of 2023.

PURCHASES

The best things I bought in 2023. I know I missed some, but these popped in my head immediately as things I don’t regret.

Ilia Skin Tint- because it felt like my cheap foundation was negating all my skincare
Fenty Blush- because it goes on easy and doesn’t mess up the ilia
Naturium- everything I’ve purchased has been great and doesn’t cost me $85 per product
Pant Organizer- my closet has been a pain point since we moved in 7.5 years ago (what the hell is time) and these solved a major problem
Air Tag Wallet- look, I have my life together in many ways. But constantly losing my things is a major tension in my life. This cheap airtag wallet has been clutch
Saatva mattress- at least five nights a week, we get in bed and say, “best purchase ever.” We also have a topper. It’s perfect.
CRZ leggings- I refuse to pay lululemon prices for leggings. I can’t. These have been my bffs during my workouts

MEDIA

Podcasts
bad on paper- feels like I am sitting with friends and chatting about life and thoughts. Olivia and Becca have a really good dynamic. I like that they are similar enough to jive, but different enough to have varied interests, takes, and perspectives.
The Popcast with Knox and Jamie- this is no shock. But it’s the best $7 I spend a month for their Patreon. It’s joyous, fun, and I look forward to their episodes every week.
Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus- deep, funny, intentional conversations about aging, life as a woman, and work.

Music
Chappell Roan- debut of the YEAR. Fun, feminist, pop, dance music that I am obsessed with
Beyonce- no words necessary
Tai Verdes- addicting beats and fun lyrics
Greta Van Fleet- feels like 80s rock but with a modern twist
Menna- I know Meredith personally and every time I hear her, I wonder why she isn’t internationally acclaimed

TV Shows
The Bear- as everyone knows
The Diplomat- I cannot wait for season two. This felt smart, quick, and did a good job of handling a larger plot while showing the intricacies and nuances of marriage
Succession- duh.
Shrinking- heartwarming, hilarious, and cringy in the best way

WEAR

I feel like 2023 was the year I finally built out my basics and felt content with my clothes. There’s always stuff I am going to want, but these outfits all feel like me.