Hello Dreamers,
I hope you’re getting ready to enjoy a safe and happy New Year’s Eve!
It’s the time of year when many people feel compelled to create “best of” and “review” lists, and I’m no different. Honestly, the lack of social obligations in 2020 was a delight to my reclusive nature. But it was still the most stressful year I can remember.
I want to share the things that made my life easier during this wild ride, hoping you’ll come back to this post whenever you need it.
Grocery delivery
Even before Covid, I was not too fond of grocery shopping. But I live in a rural area that doesn’t have a Whole Foods, much less their delivery service. Two companies that saved me from frequent trips to the grocery store are Thrive Market and Misfits Market. You’ll get a discount from signing up for either one through these links.
Thrive sells pantry items and health and beauty goods while Misfits saves surplus and odd-looking produce from farmers and creates a CSA-style box of fruits and veggies. If you sign up for Misfits by Jan. 3 using the code COOKWME-VB5JYU you can save 50% off your first box! (You can use the code after Jan. 3, but the discount will be less.)
Books
One of my favorite things about 2020 was the resurgence of books. I love seeing you all sharing your favorite books of the year!
I used my early days of quarantine to read and work through The Artist’s Way for the first time. I can’t recommend this book enough! I’m actually about to start it over again because my mom gifted me the physical copy of the book (I had used the e-version) and the workbook for Christmas!
Other favorites include The Body Is Not an Apology, gifted by my amazing Life Coach, Cat. I’m still reading this one, taking lots of notes and highlighting the shit out of it!
I also finished the last few novels in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, which I started reading five years ago! If you like the TV show, the books are even steamier ;)
Podcasts
Huge, huge podcast fan over here. 2020 introduced me to some new (to me) favorites, including:
Under the Skin with Russell Brand
WTF with Marc Maron
Rabbit Hole from The New York Times
I also enjoyed long-time faves like Self-Helpless and the Tim Ferriss Show.
TV and Movies
Most of what I watch is Netflix comedy specials and late-night news comedy like The Daily Social Distancing Show with Trevor Noah, but I’ll be damned if Schitt’s Creek didn’t save me from many a meltdown this year! I’m sure you’ve already seen it, but in case you haven’t, there’s no better time than now.
I also found hope in every Star Wars movie + The Mandalorian series (he’ll always be Baby Yoda to me) and re-watched The Lord of The Rings (all extended editions) and Stranger Things seasons 1-3 for the comforting nostalgia factor.
Movement
As you know, I’m taking a break from ultrarunning. This year has been a great opportunity to move my body in different ways.
My favorite at-home workouts include kickboxing and hip-hop tabata with Keaira LaShae. I joined her online gym and also bought DVDs for when my crappy satellite internet stops working. Turns out, sidekicks and twerking are exactly what my stiff runner’s hips needed.
When it comes to yoga, Yoga with Adriene is a treasure chest. I love the 20-30 min videos!
I also walk a LOT now. Every morning starts with a dog walk down a forest road near my house. Usually, we go for a walk in the afternoon, too, and I take a longer hike at least once a week.
EFT Tapping
You’ll probably see an in-depth post on EFT tapping in the new year, but for now, I’ll share one of my favorite YouTubers, Brad Yates. Scroll through his collection, find a video that speaks to what you’re feeling at the moment, and repeat after him as you tap on the acupressure points he taps on.
It sounds ridiculous, but IT WORKS! Brad did a special video on election angst that got me through the first half of November. I tap on everything from anxiety to playing small to having a scarcity mindset. It’s free and it’s awesome.
And with that, I’m ready to say goodbye to 2020. My parents are visiting from NJ, so I’m going to get ready to spend some quality time with them.
Thanks for reading and for bearing with me during the holidays!
As always, please reply to this email if you have any of your own favorite resources to share or to say hello. I LOVE hearing from you!
Wishing you all the Joy, Love, Health, and Abundance in 2021!
Lauren
xoxoxo