Speak to me, speak to me, speak to me
Until your history's no mystery to meTalk to me, talk to me, talk to me
Until the words run dry, we'll see eye to eyeI'll give everything I've got
Please take what I can give
I want you to hear my story and be a part of it
Without You Without Them - boygenius
(Phoebe L. Bridgers, Julien Rose Baker, Lucy Elizabeth Dacus)
Hi! Welcome back to Claire From Online… and welcome to “what day is it?” week. The tasks, the leisure, the days truly meld together, and I’ve eaten more sugar cookies in the past five days than the past eleven months.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re at least mildly interested in journaling and documenting your days on paper. December & January feel like my Super Bowl - not just as a journal/planner content creator, but as a hobbyist, too. It was long before Substack and Youtube and likes and comments that I felt a lot of buzz around the ending of one journal (or set of journals…) and the turning of a new page. Because We Are Prepared, the notebooks/journals/diaries for 2024 have been thought up, picked up, probably set up at this point, but there’s still the task (the joy! the honor!) of closing out the old. The gifts have been opened, the cheer has been spread, we’re full of cheese and bread and possibly a head cold. In-between week is upon us, and the Netflix list will only get us so far. Join me, please, for…
THE YEAR IN REVIEW.
Looking back on the year through thoughts, memes, bullets, photos, and more is considerably more fundamental to my journaling practice than goal setting or tracking, if I’m being so honest. The way I reflect at year’s end changes a bit as the time passes, of course, but the structure stays about the same. Here’s how I am currently wrapping up the year in my journal.
For your listening pleasure while you read (and then maybe journal a lil bit), here is a playlist I compiled, featuring my subscribers’ top songs from 2023. It’s eclectic and fun!!!! Thanks, group chat! :-)
So thankful for all I’ve learned and experienced in 2023. I chose to be open and vulnerable about some things that were previously held pretty close to my chest, and I’m in the process of learning how to balance that honesty and openness without needlessly over-explaining myself. Will forever be a work in progress, I’ve learned. I talked to people I love and trust about money and finances, which has previously been hard for me. I engaged earnestly in a low-buy exercise while being honest about my shortcomings (never guilty of ordering heaps of clothes at a time; I’m more likely to spend money on services and cosplaying as someone outside of my current tax bracket) (pilates membership was A Choice). I’ve paid off over $10k in credit card debt. I’m still in it, but I’m on my way.
As difficult as some days are in public education these days, I’ve leaned in to enjoying work more, focusing even more on positive relationships with my students, and expressing gratitude and “hey, I see you”-s to my coworkers. I got a pink and orange clickity-clackity keyboard for my work desk. I asked to move to a room with a window. My coworker bought me a plant. I buy snacks for my students. I talk about my job online sometimes, and sweet followers who work for a popular protein-packed snack company send me boxes of jerky for my office (thanks, Erin!!!!!!). My students come to me for homework help. Sometimes I have to phone a friend, but maybe I’ll finally feel confident in my ability to complete geometry proofs in 2024.
I’ve grown a true community on Instagram, Substack, and Youtube. TikTok is a little iffy on the true community aspect, naturally, BUT I have been able to get to know so many amazing people I would not have had the chance to if not for our little light-up rectangles. I hang out in my ‘friends’ tab a lot. My boyfriend is supportive of all of this nonsense, even if you’ll never see him in a fit check TikTok (like I even do those). He bought me a Sony camera for Christmas. Maybe I’ll VLOG. I am working on a new project for my Instagram followers. I have like, thirty Substack newsletters in my drafts. A couple hundred of you support this newsletter monetarily, which is incredible. I’m so grateful. I hope you like reading these, I definitely enjoy writing them.
I love where I live, even through the explosive growth. I love my walks through the art museum grounds, the routine ramen/bookstore/fancy chocolate dessert night (IYKYK), all the places to watch the sunset. The award-winning coffee just a quick hot girl walk away (anyone get served by the bionic arm yet?). Our apartment with the south-facing windows, and my journaling desk.
I went up to Illinois six separate times this year (?!?!?) which feels like peak tomfoolery tbh, but I had fun. I took a trip to Denver, I got a rainy fall morning in Michigan, I got to experience 30A for the first time. On my last trip home (this past week), some cousins and I were talking about how important it is for us for our kids - present and future - to know one another. MY HEART!!!!!!
I’ve ‘only’ read 30 books, I don’t journal every day, I’m still in credit card debt, I’m not married, don’t own a house, still whiplash-undecided about kids. But… I’m here. I’m so me, and I’m very grateful for that. I’m trying to get you to watch Reservation Dogs if you haven’t. I’m hollering about how there are no rules in journaling + planning to anyone who will listen. I’m drinking a Ginger Ale. I’m replying to your Youtube comments from the treadmill where I 12/3/30.
Also, I’m not afraid of paper. ;) And would not be who I am without my favorite hobby… journaling and creating for the fun of it. Okay, now your turn.
TIPS FOR YOUR YEAR-IN-REVIEW EXERCISE (IF YOU NEED THEM)
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