Quarterly Newsletter: Winter Edition 2024
Greeting the new year, writing updates, a mental inventory, new Etsy products, and the 10 items I'm not buying in 2024
This is my first quarterly newsletter with Substack so the general look of it may change in the next issue. For now, I’m going with what feels right and how my previous newsletter looked when I used a different email service provider.
We’re now a few weeks into 2024 and it’s been a definite balancing act of trying to ease into the new year while also doing my best work possible for certain time-sensitive projects at my day job. On the plus side, I think I’ve finally nailed an after-work routine, though there are a few areas I can refine. Let the trial-and-error phase begin.
I’ve also been putting together my Mental Inventory list for 2024. For those who don't know, a Mental Inventory is something Ryder Carroll, creator of the bullet journal, teaches, often before beginning a new journal. But I’ve adapted the practice and turned it into a New Year ritual as well as something I do every mid-year.
To start, you create three columns and label them:
Currently working on
Should be working on
Want to be working on
Then you brain dump any task, project, or dream you can think of and place them under the appropriate heading. Once you’re done, you use your discernment muscle to determine what you want to keep putting your energy toward and what you want to leave behind, for now, or for good.
I’m still sorting through my list, but hope to have it done by the end of the month. I’ve learned over the last few years that January, though the official start of a new year, doesn’t need to be the time I throw all my time and energy into something until I’ve given it full consideration. That’s what I’m doing now.
👩🏻💻 Writing Updates
If you’re subscribed to my Substack already, then you already know I’ve begun revising my memoir. ICYMI, here’s my latest update on my revision progress.
Currently, this revision stands a little over 10,000 words. I’ve been working mainly Monday through Thursday, squeezing time in on the weekends when and if I feel like it.
Though I’ve always been a disciplined writer, I’ve learned that creatives need days off just like everyone else. Obviously, if inspiration is there, I will work on it, but my mind often switches to “weekend mode” come Friday and I let it stay there, using that time to recharge my battery and complete other errands that have taken a back seat throughout the week.
So far, the changes I’m making are certainly enriching the story, though I know there are a few places I can dig deeper. Memoir is a great deal about the internal journey of the character (a.k.a. me) and spilling my guts has been a little hard, especially knowing that people who are in the book may recognize themselves and feel differently.
But that’s life. We each view experiences from different perspectives and this story—my story—is my point of view. So I am willing to dig deep, with a little probing, lol.
Want more memoir revision updates? Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a post.
What I’m…
📚 reading
I capped off 2023 by reading 28 books. The final batch that made it on the list included Fifty Shades of Grey. Yes, I caved and finally read it. Another book I read was Sounds Fake But Okay, a short but powerful read from two podcasters who talk about being asexual and aromantic. For anyone interested in learning more about asexuality and the aspec lens in general, this is your go-to book. I then spent the final days of 2023 reading up on some minimalism/intentional living books. Those included Minimalism and Everything That Remains by The Minimalists and Project 333 by Courtney Carver.
So far, in 2024, I started and finished Joy at Work by Marie Kondo and Scott Sonenshein. I’ve followed Marie Kondo for a while and used her method to begin my minimalism journey. This book, though repetitive in some aspects, did provide some nice insights into organizing your digital space, which is something I aim to work on this year.
Here is my full reading list for 2023. And be sure to check out my PangoBooks shop for titles I am currently selling.
🎥 watching
I used the time off I had from work in December to watch a lot of things I’d been meaning to. I watched way more movies than TV series.
One of the first things I watched was Knights of the Zodiac on Netflix. The best movie ever? No, but the special effects were pretty amazing as were the fight scenes. I also watched Five Nights At Freddy’s on Peacock. I didn’t know anything about the video game going in and while it wasn’t jaw-dropping, I enjoyed it. My mom and I watched Barbie on Christmas Eve. It was the perfect blend of camp and serious and Ryan Gosling was gold (100% committed to the role of Ken). I also finally got around to watching Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and Jurassic World: Dominion. It wouldn’t be the holiday season without popping over to Shudder via AMC+ and seeing what holiday horror films they had on the docket. Of the few they had, I watched It’s A Wonderful Knife and The Sacrifice Game. Both had pretty diverse casts of new and well-known people and the concepts were fun and well executed.
On the series side of things, I watched The Gilded Age on HBO. I finished both seasons and cannot wait for Season 3. The costumes, the cattiness, and the cast are a dream. If you’re a fan of period pieces, this one is fascinating. I finally started Season 3 of Only Murders In the Building on Hulu. I heard this season has its ups and downs so I’m going in with low expectations.
🛒 2024 No Buy List
At the start of every new year, I like creating a list of things I want to refrain from buying as much as possible. For 2024, that list includes:
Planners
Notebooks
Books
Online Courses / Digital Products
Clothing
Electronics
Soap
Reusable or sustainable items
Bags / Purses
Office supplies
I have plenty of items in most of these categories whereas others I’ve spent money on and never used or touched yet. That’s often my criteria for something getting on this list.
Now, exceptions may need to be made. For example, if I wear something out and need to replace it, I will buy a new one. Or if I need to desperately fill a gap in my wardrobe, I will. And if I’m gifted anything on this list, I won’t turn it down. But for the most part, I do not want to buy anything on this list unless it’s given as a gift or it’s the most perfect thing for me at the time.
I’ve already “bought” two new books for 2024. However, they were pre-ordered so technically I bought them in 2023. That’s what I’m sticking with. 😉
Interested in trying out secondhand/thrifted pieces? Check out my Poshmark for available items. Do you have a No Buy list? If so, what’s on yours for 2024?
🚨 New Etsy Products
In case you missed it, I’ve added two new workbooks to my Etsy shop, centered around writing prompts.
I plan on releasing more this year, though more important priorities have taken over. I’m also in the process of overhauling my shop, updating old workbooks, and giving it a more cohesive look.
In the meantime, everything is still available and I have some sales coming up so make sure to follow my shop so you know firsthand when new items drop and current ones go on sale.
That’s about all I have for you in this edition. I want to thank you for coming along with me as I transitioned everything to Substack this year. I’m in love with this platform and the ease with which I can share news and updates with you. I look forward to 2024 and can’t wait to see where your journey takes you.
Until next time,
💜 J
Interested in learning more about anything I discussed here? Feel free to leave a comment or message me and I’d be happy to elaborate more.