Episode #165: New Years Objectives & Plans

If you already know us in any respect, you already know we LOVE targets! This week, we’re chatting about our targets and plans for 2023, sharing our first e-book membership picks of the yr, and we’ve got some enjoyable podcast information to share!

You will discover the podcast posts archive right here.

A giant thanks to our sponsors! Take a look at the presents from WildGrain, Modern Fertility, Calm, and Ritual. And, in the event you’re on the lookout for a selected code you heard on the podcast, you’ll be able to see a full record on this web page!

Table of Contents

Present Notes:

Hearken to Episode #130: New 12 months, Similar Me to listen to our 2022 targets.

An replace on our 2022 targets:

Elsie:

Take pleasure in dwelling extra (archived)
Get up early (did for 3 months)
Dwell guilt-free (nonetheless engaged on)

Emma:

Work on her novel (archived)
Work on dry eyes (have gotten higher)
Purchase much less junk meals (archived)

-We point out The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran

Our targets for 2023:

Elsie:

Work on an enormous artwork venture (and share on the podcast) by the tip of the yr
Learn 52 books (and cease studying if not hooked three chapters in)
Soar round to totally different genres of books
Journey to 1 new place
Prioritizing inventive time every single day

Emma:

Work extra on her psychological well being
Getting again into health
Be extra per going to remedy
Submit her novel to brokers

Podcast adjustments in 2023:

Now not taking summers off
New sorts of episodes: consolation rewatch episodes + “the way to” deep dive episodes

Q1 e-book membership picks (January-March):

-To get bodily copies of older books, go to thriftbooks.com

Essentially the most enjoyable listener e-mail EVER from Michelle: Do you may have any concepts for displaying a classic hanging crystal assortment?

Dangle them from a chandelier
Show them in an ornamental bowl
Dangle them in home windows
Put them in a shadowbox
Show them in your entrance yard

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Episode 165 Transcript:

Emma: You’re listening to The Stunning Mess Podcast, your cozy consolation hear. If you already know us in any respect, then you already know that we love targets. So this week we’re chatting about our targets and plans for the brand new yr, sharing. Our first e-book Membership picks for 2023 and we’ve got some enjoyable podcast information to share.

Elsie: So excited. It’s good to be again.

Emma: It’s good to be again. I miss our podcast buddies. Though we don’t really get to speak to them throughout recording or something, however I prefer to envision them round us, hanging out.

Elsie: Properly we learn the emails each week and we get dms and issues like that from our listeners, so we undoubtedly can really feel it once you guys are within the temper to care. Like I all the time really feel like once we come again from a break is all the time like a very good day within the podcast world. I’m completely satisfied. So earlier than we bounce into it, do you wanna discuss just a little bit about Christmas, Christmas break, and New 12 months’s? Something thrilling?

Emma: Yeah, I don’t know. Like all people else I’ve had these two weeks the place I used to be like, what day is it? Who is aware of? And truly, even this morning I went to the gymnasium pondering it was Monday or Wednesday when my group health class was, and as quickly as I received there, I used to be prefer it’s Tuesday, what was I pondering? What was my plan? So then I simply did one thing else, however I used to be like, all proper, I don’t, I nonetheless don’t know what day it’s, I suppose. However anyway, Christmas was superior. Our son received a motorcycle and plenty of toys and all kinds of little issues, however the large current from us anyway was his bike, and that was actually cute. At first, he was type of like, I don’t find out about this, as a result of it’s like an open-air, like he simply sits in, it doesn’t have straps. Nevertheless it does have a deal with that I push it round or his dad, whoever. At first, he was just a little like, I don’t find out about this, however then he received into it. So we’ve been pushing him round the home. It’s been type of good this week. So I’ve pushed him exterior just a little bit, however I really feel like if we go away it for just a few days after which get on it, he’s like apprehensive once more. So it’s most likely gonna be higher within the spring. However anyway, it was cute and it was a enjoyable Christmas.

Elsie: Cute. Yeah, we had a magical Christmas. I really feel like we’ve actually Marathoned the Christmas magic this yr. Due to sure conditions in our life. I didn’t begin adorning till just a little after December 1st, which may be very, very late for me. So I felt like we lived an actual individuals Christmas as a result of that’s what regular individuals do. That’s the way it was once we have been rising up. And yeah, like blogger Christmas is like, for instance, this yr we have been carrying Christmas pajamas and once we shot the movies for that little cheese ball snowman and all the pieces, it was August. Goldie was absolutely dressed up with us too and she or he was with us and we like, I feel that’s how it’s to have a mother, a blogger mother. After which I’ve been making an attempt to have, at the very least simulations of regular life, like regular mother life, and which I really like, I all the time take into consideration our mother elevating us with no cellphone in any respect the entire time. So I simply love placing my telephone away and being just a little extra old school about it. However we had a magical time. We made a lot of cookies, so many cookies. We did the paper chain. We did a ton of mannequin magic. The little dough decoration sort of issues. Every kind of stuff like that. So it was a really fantastic Christmas and I do must admit I’ve a tiny little bit of a Christmas hangover. Like I’m nonetheless proper just a little bit obsessed about it. I nonetheless can’t cease fascinated about it, however I feel that’s simply how I used to be born. Emma mentioned that in our prime episodes of the yr final yr, there was a number of like vacation content material, so I do know it’s how a number of you have been born as nicely.

Emma: Yeah, I’m type of buzzing Christmas songs all yr spherical. That’s simply the kind of individual I’m.

Elsie: I adore it. That’s good.

Emma: Did you do something for New 12 months’s?

Elsie: No. Okay, right here’s what we did. I did purchase a phenomenal floor-length sequin gown on Black Friday, and I used to be so excited to put on it. However then when actual New 12 months’s got here round, we have been like, nah, and we simply stayed in our pajamas and our youngsters wished to remain up till midnight. I don’t know what number of extra years that is gonna final. So we went and received them out of their mattress at 8:00 PM after which did a faux ball drop video. Simply Googling final yr’s ball drop video and simply inform them it’s midnight and it really works each time. It’s so cute. They don’t even discover that it’s the incorrect yr on the display. They have been like bragging. The subsequent day we have been at Nova’s orthodontist and she or he was bragging about staying up till midnight and I used to be like, I’m wondering if she believes her, however both method. What did you do for New 12 months’s?

Emma: We hosted a celebration. Yeah, final yr Our buddies, the Houghtons hosted this glorious social gathering at their home they usually simply had a tiny child a couple of month in the past, just a little lady. So I type of assumed they will not be internet hosting this yr. So I textual content her and I used to be like, in the event you’re not internet hosting, I might like to host simply this yr. As a result of, I like internet hosting but additionally, I’m completely satisfied to let different individuals host. It’s simply a number of cleansing and stuff too. So I type of wished to be like, Hey, if that is your factor, I’m not stealing it, I simply would take it over for a yr. Trigger you simply had a child. In order that’s what we did and it was actually enjoyable. So a lot of my buddies got here. Oh, this was attention-grabbing to me, perhaps not, I don’t know, however I set out like a puzzle on the eating room desk. Type of to have totally different areas in the home that individuals might congregate to and chat and eat their snacks and drink and no matter as a result of if everybody’s within the kitchen, I feel it, it might probably begin to really feel too full and you may’t hear one another.

Elsie: Assume it’s good in numerous zones to sit down and discuss and to not all be congregated.

Emma: So I assumed setting the puzzle out would type of be like a sign as a result of I actually solely had snacks within the kitchen. I had a cheese board and just a little dessert board and stuff. So I set out this puzzle and my puzzle lure completely labored. I had so many individuals engaged on the puzzle they usually have been nonetheless having enjoyable and chatting and consuming, having a very good time, and other people would type of dip out and in. I did the puzzle for some time after which I might go discuss with different individuals and this and that. After which we additionally had a ball drop sort factor on our film display in our different lounge and afterward, everybody was within the temper to bounce, so we did a number of dancing. We additionally we’re a type of {couples} the place Trey has a karaoke machine, so generally events find yourself with karaoke and we had that out, but it surely didn’t go that route. This time it simply become extra of a dance social gathering, in order that was cute. After which I made pizza bagels someday round 1230. After which I went to mattress proper after one. I don’t understand how late individuals stayed, however I went upstairs to take my contacts out trigger my eyes get so dry and I used to be identical to, I feel I’m simply gonna go to mattress. That’s what they did.

Elsie: Hilarious. I adore it.

Emma: It was enjoyable. I had a lot confetti to wash up the subsequent day although, price it. However I feel I’ll be discovering confetti for like months from now, within the corners and within the sofa cushions and issues.

Elsie: So cute. That feels like a really epic New 12 months’s.

Emma: Yeah, it was actually enjoyable. And likewise, I don’t thoughts giving it again to my buddies subsequent yr as a result of like I mentioned, it’s type of a number of cleansing. I really like having individuals over and we’ve got a brand new home this yr, so it was lots of people received to see it who hadn’t seen it but. In order that was enjoyable. However yeah, I don’t thoughts not internet hosting. I like to go over to somebody’s home and go away afterward, however anyway.

Elsie: Yeah, undoubtedly enjoyable. Okay, so on this episode, we’re gonna discuss our New 12 months’s targets and plans. We’re gonna discuss just a little bit about what we’re doing otherwise this yr on the podcast. Oh, and we’ve got our Q1 e-book membership picks to share on the finish. Cool. Okay, so earlier than we go into our 2023 targets, I assumed it will be good to replicate on our 2022 targets from final yr and like how we really feel like we did. Did you may have an opportunity to test what years have been, do you keep in mind what years have been?

Emma: Sure. I needed to test too. Oh, proper. I did fairly good.

Elsie: Yeah. Okay, so what I had down was get pleasure from our dwelling extra. I feel that what I actually meant after I mentioned that, I don’t keep in mind precisely what I mentioned on the podcast, however I feel what I meant was to take a renovation break, and we undoubtedly did that this yr. We completed up our renovation that we had began earlier than final yr and over the vacations final yr. It principally crashed our holidays and was a studying expertise for me. And after that was over, it took longer than I assumed to wrap up, which is okay. It all the time does. After which we took a pleasant lengthy break and have simply loved dwelling in our dwelling this yr and accomplished extra stuff with the children And extra give attention to dwelling the best way we wanna dwell as an alternative of all the time being targeted on renovation, which is the way it has been. After which, my second objective was this waking up early objective. And so I did this final yr for, I might say I made it, I don’t know precisely, however I might say I made it perhaps three months, like perhaps 1 / 4 or perhaps just a little bit greater than that. I do know I undoubtedly didn’t make it to the summer time, so I’ve began doing that once more. I suppose I’ll save that, however I. Really feel prefer it was identical to a factor, like a objective that I placed on the shelf after which took it again off. I’ll defend that. There’s nothing incorrect with that each every now and then. Generally it’s type of like a gotta do what you gotta do state of affairs. After which my third factor that I used to be making an attempt to give attention to lesser was like dwelling extra guilt-free. I spend a number of my life in my very own head, and I don’t know if it’s a part of being a seven on the Enneagram, I don’t know if it’s different issues. The pressures of balancing work and motherhood. Every kind of issues, however this yr I did really feel like I spent much less time on-line most likely than some other yr in my grownup life, which was cool. I spent much less time evaluating, and I really feel like I spent a number of time determining for myself like, what even is the purpose. As a result of generally you simply must step again for somebody who’s accomplished the identical web persona work for thus lengthy, it might probably change into form of the place it looks like a lure. In sure burnout seasons, and this previous yr, I used to be in a position to take a break and assume, what am I making an attempt to do? What’s the significant half and what’s the half that I might let go? I undoubtedly really feel like I’m extra on monitor to being an individual who’s not managed by guilt, which feels good.

Emma: That’s superior.

Elsie: Sure. Inform me yours.

Emma: Final yr’s resolutions have been, to work on my novel. Work on my dry eyes, which I’m all the time about, after which purchase much less junk meals. So yeah, in the event you’re a longtime listener, then you definately most likely know that I used to be in a position to end the primary draft of my second novel, which is my homicide novel. And I are likely to name it handmade homicide. I don’t know what it’ll really be titled sometime, however that’s simply the way it’s saved on my pc. Yeah, I completed the primary draft of that and that basically took the entire yr. I like barely completed, I’d say, however I did, in order that’s nice.

Elsie: Good job. Woohoo. I really feel I can converse for everybody and say, we’re so happy with you.

Emma: Thanks. And I feel I did work on my dry eyes. I feel it’s a type of issues that I’ve been type of engaged on for years and years now, most likely like three years. And I can actually inform that really, the issues that I’ve been doing constantly have made an enormous distinction. Like I really really feel like my eyes are utterly totally different and higher than they have been like three years in the past. Like I nearly by no means have that factor the place I’m driving and I simply begin getting actually watery eyes and I really feel like I can’t see. I used to get it like fairly usually and it will actually scare me, particularly if I needed to drive at evening. And now I like by no means get that anymore, which is nice. So I really feel prefer it’s a type of issues that you simply do like small issues they usually add up over a protracted time period. Kinda like carrying sunscreen every single day after which once you’re in your forties you’re like, oh, that really did make a distinction. Nevertheless it like takes so lengthy to note any distinction that this little factor that you simply’re doing makes, and I really really feel like my dry eyes are a type of issues in my life. So yeah, I feel I did fairly good on shopping for much less junk meals. I didn’t actually have a measurement. Yeah. That was considered one of my targets.

Elsie: Oh, that’s humorous. Was it like a selected junk meals or was it normal?

Emma: I feel it was normal. I feel a part of it’s this time of yr, that is a part of why I’m towards New 12 months’s resolutions. In some methods, I really feel such as you begin to make targets based mostly on the season you have been simply in, which for me, December is a heavy vacation meals season. Like we simply received accomplished with Thanksgiving. I’m making all kinds of treats for myself, for buddies, for events, internet hosting, and plenty of events. So I really feel like that’s what’s on my thoughts. Whereas like in April, I’m not feeling the identical method. So anyway, so generally I really feel like in January you make targets based mostly on what This autumn was like and it’s like, nicely there’s an entire yr anyway. However I’m not towards new’s resolutions. I simply assume you must make targets all yr spherical. And that’s kinda like the way you have been saying you took that objective, you place it again on the shelf and also you’re taking it again down. I feel that type of factor’s completely positive as a result of I feel you have to be continuously reevaluating and setting new targets and checking in, ensuring one thing’s nonetheless serving you nicely, like on a regular basis. I don’t assume January is the one time of yr to do it.

Elsie: I agree and I suppose for transparency’s sake. After I say New 12 months’s targets, I’m really simply doing my targets for Q1, cuz I do nonetheless imagine within the 12-week yr. And that’s a e-book that we’ve talked about on the podcast earlier than. In the event you haven’t learn it, we’ll put it within the present notes. It’s glorious and I feel it helped my productiveness fairly a bit. And I feel that for somebody like me, with my persona, if I feel I’ve the entire yr to do one thing, I’ll do much less within the first quarter. In order that’s the explanation why. The whole lot that’s a objective of mine and now it’s actually only for the subsequent few months after which no matter occurs after that, I’m not anxious about it proper now.

Emma: Yeah. I’m type of the identical.

Elsie: It doesn’t matter the way you construction it. I really feel our listeners are most likely all nodding alongside and on the identical web page, like we’re not too anxious about whether or not or not like targets are good or not. No matter. You know the way lots of people have like sizzling takes about that stuff? It’s like simply make it be just right for you. That’s actually all that issues, so do what works for you. If one thing looks like, oh, it is a waste of my vitality, or it’s simply not productive, or it makes me really feel dangerous, then don’t do it.

Emma: Yeah, undoubtedly.

Elsie: So have you ever set any targets for 2023, Emma?

Emma: Sure, these are private targets solely as a result of I didn’t put all my work-related targets on the record cuz frankly it’s type of boring and our listeners will see a number of it. If I accomplish them, then you definately’ll see it cuz it’ll come out. So anyway, in order that’s not very attention-grabbing to me. So these are my two principal 2023 targets. One is sort of a long-term, gonna be doing all of it yr factor as a result of it’s type of just like the dry eyes the place it’s type of small issues that add up over time. You gotta hold doing it. After which considered one of ’em is extra of a Q1 objective. So the long run all yr round one is, I’m gonna work just a little extra on my psychological well being this yr. Final yr was a fairly powerful yr for me. We’ve talked about this on the podcast earlier than. It’s only a powerful yr. I feel lots of people are in the identical boat, a number of totally different causes, blah, blah, blah. Nevertheless it was a troublesome psychological well being yr. So I’m doing plenty of issues. Principally making an attempt to be extra constant about it. So the three principal issues that I’m engaged on proper now, and I’ll replace these all year long, however all of them type of ladder up for me in the direction of psychological well being, is I’m getting again into my health routine, which I feel that like cardio for me, I feel is simply an endorphin factor. And I don’t know, man, I’m not a scientist, however I feel it helps, so getting again into that. And I love to do group health, so then I can type of simply zone out and do regardless of the teacher says. And that’s good, so doing. After which, I attempt to do this twice every week after which two different instances every week, twice every week, I attempt to go on a stroll exterior. So for me, that’s about contemporary air and sunshine this time of yr.

Generally it’s not that a lot sunshine as a result of it’s a darkish time of yr, however that’s okay. You continue to get the contemporary air, and for me, it’s simply one thing about being exterior is good. I like the outside. I’m not significantly like tenting outdoorsy individual, however I do actually prefer to be exterior. So anyway, after which the opposite factor is extra constantly go to remedy. So I’m simply going to e-book an appointment each single month. Trigger final yr I might generally go each month after which I might miss like two or three months. Principally cuz I might get busy and I might really feel like I couldn’t take the time without work of labor. And I’m simply not gonna do this this yr. I’m simply gonna say, you already know what, if I’ve to reschedule a gathering or if one thing doesn’t get accomplished too dangerous, everybody may be mad at me. I don’t care. I want to do that. So I’m simply gonna.

Elsie: Oh yeah, I feel it’s simply as essential as nicely, or perhaps extra essential than some other type of appointment. Yeah, I feel identical to staying on the books is like the important thing, as a result of I’ve additionally had it the place I took a brief break and it become an extended break at one level, after which, it’s a must to Restart once more. And I personally desire it to simply keep on the books on a regular basis and even on the weeks that I really feel like I don’t have a lot to say it’s nonetheless good that it’s there. what I imply? Yeah. It’s just like the worst factor that occurs is you perhaps discuss your childhood or one thing that you simply usually wouldn’t discuss as a lot. That’s the worst factor that may occur. So I feel it’s nice.

Emma: I feel generally I might really feel like these instances I’m like, oh, nicely I most likely would’ve been higher off spending my time engaged on our enterprise, or blah, blah blah. Nevertheless it’s like, you already know what, I’m simply gonna make an appointment for 3 to 4 weeks later, each time I’m there this yr, and simply see how I really feel on the finish of the yr. And it’s not gonna be a waste of time. That’s 12 instances. It’s not that large of a deal. So I’m simply gonna do this. In order that’s form of my all yr lengthy good job small steps factor. And I mentioned right here in like three months, six months, I’ll reevaluate. I’ll add some extra issues for my psychological well being. I’ll change one thing. No matter I’m needing, I’ll proceed to guage that. However that is what I’m doing proper now. After which my Q1 objective is to submit my novel to brokers. So I’m gonna attempt to polish it just a little bit right into a second draft. It nonetheless most likely gained’t be like remaining, remaining, at the very least to me. However I additionally really feel like I don’t actually need it to really feel remaining. Ultimate. Cuz if I ever do get to attach with an amazing agent and or editor sooner or later, which hopefully I do, they may most likely have solutions and issues that I ought to change anyway. So I type of wanna polish it up in a spot the place I’m prepared to point out it, however not so polished that I really feel cagey about altering it, perhaps even altering it in main methods as a result of I wanna keep type of open to it. So, I’m gonna attempt to polish it up this quarter. In order that’s three months. Someday within the subsequent three months, I’m gonna be sending it off to some brokers who I’ve talked to prior to now, literary brokers, and see what they assume and go from there. So right here it goes.

Elsie: Like it. These are nice targets. So I’ve your targets, three or 4 targets. Yeah, so my first objective is only a private objective. I’ve been engaged on this large artwork, we’ll name it an artwork venture. It’s a venture. I’ve been engaged on a private venture. It’s now my second yr, and I’ve been all the time type of like, Not able to share it but since I began, however it’s my objective to have the ability to share it on the podcast by the tip of this yr, which signifies that I’ll have to be just about accomplished to be ok with that.

So I feel that I do want, I profit from a timeline. I simply did a type of persona strengths assessments. Did you get that? I emailed it to you.

Emma: I did. I took it.

Elsie: Oh, you probably did it. Oh, okay. Properly, let’s discuss that in a future episode cuz that’ll be enjoyable. That was considered one of our requests. Anyhow, so I did the strengths check and considered one of my prime 5 strengths that I found is that I thrive on deadlines, which I had no concept about, but it surely does make sense that it’s like if there’s no deadline, then it’s two totally different sorts of tasks. And so I simply must assume. I needed to recategorize this venture right into a deadline sort of state of affairs. So yeah, that’s my first objective. Share it by the tip of the yr. If I don’t share it, you guys can ship me hate mail and you may unsubscribe, you’ll be able to go away a nasty overview that’s one star. You are able to do something. Please don’t do this. I’m making an attempt to be accountable, I’m making an attempt to place myself on the market and actually, that is one thing I’ve talked about it endlessly in my shut good friend circle, however I really feel I want to simply end it at this level, and get it going. So yeah, that’s my first objective after which on Good Reads, I do know there are totally different websites you should utilize to trace your studying. They’re all most likely superb. I simply use Good Reads as a result of it’s frequent. So I’m doing the 52 books Purpose once more. I did it final yr. I undoubtedly assume I can learn greater than 52 books simply, however I made a decision simply to maintain with that objective as a result of isn’t {that a} e-book each week? Yeah, that’s a e-book each week. It’s nonetheless like loads of books and I simply didn’t really feel like I wanted an even bigger objective. I really assume so final yr I received to 79 and that’s what I ended with. I used to be so happy with myself to be completely sincere. The one factor that I’ll change for this yr, Is that I really feel like I compelled myself to complete books that I wasn’t having fun with, fairly usually, most likely two out of each 10. So 20% of the time I really feel prefer it, it’s nerve-racking once you really feel you’ve already invested time getting like a fourth of the best way by means of or no matter. That’s often fourth of the best way or half of the best way is the place I really feel prefer it’s like I do know for positive, that it’s not gonna get higher for me. Which is fairly far in, and in order that’s why I all the time drive myself to complete it. After which it’s tougher additionally with in style books since you’ve heard different individuals discuss how superb it was for them, and also you’re like, I wanna see what they noticed in it that I’m not seeing but. And generally it does come round, however I haven’t heard, or at the very least for me, there haven’t been that many instances when I didn’t like a e-book within the first half, and I did prefer it within the second half. So I feel for this yr I’ve discovered my lesson and I’m gonna simply don’t have any guilt about quitting just a little bit extra.

Emma: Yeah. I do really feel like that’s one thing that individuals will ask me every now and then, I really feel such as you’ve requested me earlier than too. Anybody who’s a reader, I feel we discuss with one another. I by no means know what to say when individuals are like, do you end books that you simply’re not having fun with or not? As a result of I’m type of Within the center on it feels like the identical as you. As a result of I really feel like when individuals ask, what I actually wanna say is are you a brand new reader, or do you actually know what you want? As a result of in the event you’re type of new and also you solely have learn one style earlier than, then I might say perhaps give it a go. As a result of there are books that midway by means of they do completely change and may shock you. However I additionally assume in the event you’ve been studying for a very long time or in the event you’re somebody loopy like Elsie who learn a billion books final yr, then you definately most likely know what you want and also you most likely have already uncovered your self to a number of totally different genres.

Elsie: I really nonetheless take into account myself a brand new reader as a result of the primary fiction e-book I ever learn was like a yr and a half in the past since like highschool. So I do nonetheless take into account myself a brand new reader, and I do assume that I nonetheless need to attempt issues I wouldn’t have tried. I by no means would’ve tried it, like horny fairy e-book if it wasn’t for such as you and the podcast listeners.

Emma: Sherry, I feel it was Sherry.

Elsie: By no means. Yeah, and Sherry, and actually type of a lot of the web. I by no means would’ve been eager about that matter. It wasn’t like considered one of my primary favourite books, but it surely was so much higher than I assumed it will be. I’m nonetheless glad I learn it. Anyway, I do nonetheless wanna attempt bizarre issues, however generally it doesn’t repay. And I feel identical to accepting that.

Emma: I additionally assume it might be a very good factor. There have been instances I picked up a e-book at that time and I used to be like, I’m not into this. After which a yr later it’s nonetheless on my shelf and I’m like, why didn’t I like that? I can’t keep in mind. After which I begin studying it once more. I’m like, that is superior. So I feel it will also be the stage in life you’re in. Generally you’re not within the temper for one thing darkish or one thing mental. what I imply? Generally it’s a very good factor, I feel too.

Elsie: Yeah, 100%. Okay, after which the opposite factor about it, oh, I wanna attempt to bounce round to totally different genres just a little bit higher. I did fairly a bit final yr, however I might say I stayed fairly constantly on the, I dunno what you name ’em, just like the romantic comedy sort of books. The romantic books. Then the fantasy books and in style books. That was like Carnival All I learn. After which a few different issues. And I learn a brilliant outdated e-book and I beloved it, which I didn’t assume I might or would. So yeah, I simply wanna attempt extra issues that I’m unsure about. I feel that could be a good objective. After which the opposite factor I simply wished to notice and say, that is like I get this query so much and I hate it, is individuals are like, do you assume audiobooks depend as studying? Which, to begin with, my kids are principally blind. Audiobooks depend as studying. It’s prefer it’s offensive and ableist to ever even counsel that they don’t for that purpose. It will depend on your way of life. For me, a number of the studying I do is after I’m driving or sitting within the automobile line or what’s the opposite time. Oh, engaged on organising or tearing down or a number of our weblog work is issues like that and we make these little rooms and posts and all of that’s like an hour or two of prep and all of these are instances after I’m quote unquote studying, however I wouldn’t be capable of if I have been like committing myself to solely learn from a paper e-book. So I simply assume it’s so snobby and I’m completely towards anybody who says that it doesn’t depend. I imply, it doesn’t matter to me as a result of I depend it. , however I simply, what’s the purpose?

Emma: I feel it’s, yeah, okay. In the event you’re of the opinion, cuz I might put myself on this camp the place I benefit from the expertise of studying a e-book and actually I might go as far as to say I benefit from the expertise of studying paper books. I prefer to flip the pages. I used to have a Kindle, however I didn’t benefit from the expertise of that as a lot. That’s identical to for me, that’s a part of it. However I do assume it’s fairly snobby and form of narrow-minded to assume that different methods of experiencing books and literature is just not, I don’t know. I feel anytime you’re asking a query and also you’re type of placing someone else down, perhaps take a second and take into consideration what you’re about to say, and assume why? Why do I want to do this? Am I making an attempt to make myself really feel higher? Like I’m extra superior? Simply take a second, all of us do this. We wanna assume we’re superior.

Elsie: I do like paper books and particularly like on an airplane day or there are particular sorts of days once we went on our journey to Palm Springs final yr and we principally learn the entire time in pool chairs. That sort of factor is the most effective. Like final evening I used to be studying earlier than mattress as a result of my husband wished to look at an annoying TV present and people are all nice. However yeah, I feel that it’s simply the entire, does it depend? It’s like depend for Why? Ew.

Emma: A Lot of individuals are totally different. Studying may be totally different for various individuals. So like get on off your excessive horse of us.

Elsie: Yeah. One other time I wanna discuss concerning the youngsters, their expertise with their Yodas and stuff. Trigger like their audiobook, it’s like they’re going up to now above their age ranges although, and I feel it’s actually good. Even when it’s not technically the identical factor. It’s nonetheless one thing. Anyway, okay, so I set a household objective. So my objective for the yr for my household is to journey to 1 new place. And that is one thing that we simply arrange as a objective for the primary time, however we’re going to, we’re gonna do it yearly. We simply type of have began to understand the variety of years that we’ve got with our youngsters and for our way of life. One journey a yr to go to a brand new place is essentially the most that we wanna decide to. And we nonetheless wanna go to outdated locations. We nonetheless wanna go to our identical buddies in numerous states and we wanna go to Disney time and again. And the annoying issues that we love to do, we prefer to go to Palm Springs each couple of years. I feel that this objective, We’ll be actually vital as a result of we’ll simply be capable of make extra recollections. Going someplace one time and having one set of pictures there’s a lot totally different than going to Disney as soon as each two years in your youngsters’ whole childhood. So yeah, I’m enthusiastic about that. I’ll let you know the way it goes after it’s accomplished. After which apart from that, I simply have down, I’ve this little quote, it’s probably not a quote, but it surely’s written in a number of my journals and my, like my imaginative and prescient board and stuff. It says inventive work isn’t wasted. And it’s type of like one of many mottos of my life that I dwell by. So this yr I simply wanna prioritize inventive time every single day. So I’ve been engaged on my ceramic journey. I’ve been portray once more. I’ve been writing, and there are different issues that I simply wanna attempt that I haven’t tried but. So yeah, I actually imagine in my core that any sort of inventive work that you simply ever do, Whether or not it’s for an hour or a month or a yr isn’t wasted as a result of it would all the time circle again to your life and enable you to on a future venture, and it’s generally it’s once you least count on it. It’s one thing that we’ve discovered from being DIY bloggers, like the talents that we expect are random, find yourself being really very helpful. Anyway, that’s all my targets. I’m so enthusiastic about this yr. I really feel like a very good vitality for 2023.

Emma: Yeah, I do too. I’m very hopeful about this subsequent yr. I feel it’s gonna be a very good one. All proper. So we additionally wished to inform you all about some podcast adjustments for the brand new yr, for 2023. So, primary, which we expect everyone seems to be gonna be enthusiastic about, we hope we is not going to be taking summer time off. We tried that final yr and it was nice to have the time without work, but additionally, I don’t know, it glided by actually quick and it simply felt like.

Elsie: It was type of unhappy. We received a number of unhappy emails.

Emma: Yeah. We received a number of unhappy mail and simply to be clear, simply because if we felt like that was the most effective factor for us, we’d nonetheless do it. However after making an attempt it for a yr, we simply really feel like, you already know what? We’re good. We’re not gonna take the summer time off. In order that’s what we’re gonna do that yr.

Elsie: We’re including a few new sorts of episodes, which we’re gonna discuss in a second that may assist us report extra episodes in every recording sitting. And I’ve heard occasionally suggestions from our listeners that you simply don’t prefer to know that we batch report. And to that, I might say we actually wouldn’t podcast anymore if we couldn’t batch report. So it’s not an choice for us to do like a diary of our week and discuss simply what occurred this week. And hopefully, it would make extra sense when we’ve got our summer time going up and we’ve got a brand new episode each week and it’ll really feel price it. I feel that there are simply various kinds of podcasts and podcasts that do like information or present occasions or issues like that ought to perhaps report each week or of the second. However that’s actually not what we’re making an attempt to do in any respect. Thanks and I additionally wanna say we had an awesome quantity of help for taking the summer time off. However the purpose we determined to not do it once more is that we really feel like one of the simplest ways for us to develop our podcast and one of the simplest ways for it to form of serve all of our targets is for it to be actually constant. So we’re giving extra consistency and we undoubtedly admire your help. It’s been, and I really feel like our podcast listeners are essentially the most supportive.

Emma: Oh yeah, undoubtedly essentially the most supportive and essentially the most engaged, I might say, a part of our viewers. We simply hear from you guys so much, so it’s actually enjoyable. So we’re excited for that and we’ll be right here this summer time. It’s simply right here’s the brand new episode sorts we’re gonna attempt partially as a result of we’re gonna report extra episodes this yr than we did final yr.

Elsie: Okay. Let me announce. So the primary new sort of episode, and we’re gonna have the primary one up in two weeks. So it’ll be on the finish of this month, referred to as the Consolation Rewatch collection. So we’re going to do a rewatch collection. We are going to attempt to inform you upfront what they’re going to be. However no guarantees, like with the e-book membership. However what we’re gonna do is we’re gonna do entire episodes about consolation films, as a result of a few of our hottest subjects that we come again to over and over are films and particularly like speaking about just like the interiors and films and the texture and like the way it can encourage our on a regular basis lives and issues like that. We’ve been asking in your consolation request on Instagram and please e-mail us anytime. [email protected]. And particularly after you hear the primary one and also you type of know the format, ship us your request cuz that could be a large a part of how we’re gonna fill the summer time. And likewise we’re gonna take just a little bit much less breaks like we’re not gonna take off like Labor Day and Memorial Day. Simply in a position to have just a little bit extra consistency by having extra of those Consolation Rewatch episodes. After which the opposite sort that we need to do known as the Deep Dive episodes. So the place that is coming from is that there are a number of subjects that we’ve got talked about time and again and over on the podcast, perhaps 30 instances, however there’s not an episode for it. So it turns into actually onerous to search out for our listeners. So we’re gonna do an entire episode on cash, A complete episode on adoption. A complete episode. What are a few of the ones we had? Oh, the curated closet. We’re gonna do an entire episode.

Emma: On making a five-year plan?

Elsie: Sure. Making a five-year plan is definitely our first one which we’ve got arising. We predict that simply having, extra titles will probably be cleaner. It really jogs my memory a number of early running a blog in early running a blog I might simply be like, listed below are 10 issues that I did this week they usually’re all utterly random. Three of ’em are essential and 7 of ’em are silly. That’s how we’ve been podcasting. However then it’s such as you’re probably not constructing an archive that individuals can use and discover worth in later apart from binging. And so I feel that’ll be good for us. And we type of like geeking out on topics. You guys most likely know. We’ve our issues that we like to actually get into. So yeah, that’ll be enjoyable and we will certainly do listener request for that as nicely.

Emma: We hear so much from you that you simply prefer to re-listened to episodes, and so we really feel like these deep dive or the way to sort episodes is likely to be one thing the place if the episode comes out and also you’re like, oh, you already know what, like five-year plan, I’m not within the temper, or I’m not in an area in my life proper now the place I wanna do this. For no matter purpose, however six months later you may really feel like, oh, I’m within the temper or I’m in a spot in my life the place I’m prepared for that content material. I wanna re-listen to it. Wait a second. What episode was it? I feel they have been additionally speaking about their grandma in that episode. Let me see. So now it’ll be extra clear so that you can discover, like that one episode, that factor that you simply is likely to be desirous to re-listen to. That’s a part of the concept too, behind it. In all probability simply one other method of claiming what else you mentioned, which is like an archive of helpful content material.

Elsie: Yeah, 110%. We wish you to have the ability to discover the episodes. Oh, Emma, do you wanna share the Q1 e-book membership picks?

Emma: Sure, completely. Sure. So these are for January by means of March. There are 4 of ’em, two fiction and two nonfiction, and as ordinary, we don’t completely know which of them we’re gonna do first or final. So simply no matter sounds attention-grabbing to you, in the event you’re gonna be part of us. Go on in, as a result of we gained’t do them in one of many subsequent episodes by any means, however most likely like three or 4 episodes, we’ll begin with one. So, the 2 fiction books are this Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub, and I’ve learn two of her different novels earlier than and beloved them. I really like this writer. I additionally observe her on Instagram. I’m type of a fan lady and this one I haven’t learn it but, however I’ve heard has just a little little bit of time journey. So I feel it’s gonna be enjoyable and totally different and I’m actually excited for it. The opposite one I don’t actually know very a lot about it. It’s one which Elsie placed on the record, so I’m actually excited. It’s referred to as Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Cocoa Millers.

Elsie: Okay, right here’s what I find out about it. I purchased it as a result of it has an irresistibly lovely cowl. Whenever you see the quilt, you’ll perceive the irresistibly lovely espresso desk for the novel cowl. I’ve additionally seen it on lots of people’s prime books record not too long ago as a result of it’s like the brand new yr simply occurred and other people have been doing their prime books. I do know it’s by a British writer and I do know that it’s a love story about two individuals I feel named Cleo and Frank, who I feel they’ve an age hole and I feel it’s type of a interval, like an early century factor. That’s most likely not the most effective synopsis, however I’m excited to learn it and it’s been on my record for thus lengthy, that’s why I put it on there. I used to be like, I actually wanna learn this e-book that’s been on my present shelf all of final yr.

Emma: I really like a love story, so I’m intrigued. After which our two non-fiction picks for this quarter are Assume Once more by Adam Grant. In the event you’ve by no means heard of Adam Grant, you must begin following him on Instagram or Twitter, no matter you prefer to be on. He’s so cool and I’m very enthusiastic about this e-book.

Elsie: I really like Adam Grant. I’m so, I don’t know why I haven’t learn this e-book but. It doesn’t make sense cuz that is precisely the kind of e-book I’m into. He’s the individual in the event you observe him on Instagram, he posts the tweets, prefer it’s identical to his tweets. However then they’re all the time just a little little bit of a barely totally different pastel coloration because the background. And other people repost them an insane quantity as a result of I really feel like his entire factor is like thoughtfulness. And form of not shopping for into cliche or… what’s the phrase? Like tribal conduct. And anyway, he’s been interviewed on Sharon’s podcast and he looks like a really attention-grabbing individual I’m excited to learn this e-book.

Emma: Sure, me too. After which the final nonfiction you’d decide for this quarter is an oldie however a goodie. So in the event you’ve by no means learn it or if it’s been some time, you must be part of us. It’s Large Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Elsie: We picked this one particularly as a result of we wished to place a reread on. It was between two books and I gained’t say what the opposite one was cuz we’re most likely gonna do it in a while within the coming quarter. I really like this e-book. I do not forget that I learn it at, I feel the very starting of the quarantine, which is a really unusual time to learn a e-book. I simply downloaded it once more and noticed that it’s solely a five-hour audiobook, which in the event you learn audiobooks may be very quick. It’s one thing you’ll be able to undoubtedly learn in a few days, if not perhaps in the future relying on what you’re doing. So, very quick, and I beloved it the primary time I keep in mind we talked about it in a really, very early podcast episode.

Emma: So I’m excited to reread it. I learn it a very long time in the past, perhaps like, I don’t keep in mind when it got here out, however I wanna say it was like 2018. So it’s been some time. I’m very excited.

Elsie: There’s nobody who doesn’t like this e-book. Oh. Additionally identical to just a little tip if you would like a bodily copy. I type of wished one simply trigger like why isn’t this on my shelf? Go to thrift books as a result of older books like this are the kind of books that you could get on there for very, very low cost. So anytime there’s like a e-book that was actually, actually in style like 5 to 10 years in the past, that’s the factor to purchase on thrift books.

Emma: That’s a very good tip.

Elsie: The e-book membership goes your individual tempo, learn no matter you need. Once we come to an episode the place we’re speaking about it, we are going to let you already know in the event that they’re spoilers. And a number of instances there’s not. Quite a lot of instances, we attempt to do it the place it’ll make, you continue to wanna learn the e-book much more. It’s simply type of like essentially the most low-maintenance e-book membership I feel that you could have. Nevertheless it makes me completely satisfied as a result of I do really feel like we’re having like a gaggle exercise to do collectively.

Emma: Yeah. Actually, I’m in a real-life e-book membership and I really feel prefer it’s the same factor the place half of us learn the e-book, and half don’t. However you’ll be able to nonetheless benefit from the group. It’s a very good time. Don’t fear about it.

Elsie: Okay. Earlier than we go, we’ve got essentially the most enjoyable listener query ever.

Emma: I feel this was an e-mail, and that is from listener Michelle, and she or he says, Do you may have any concepts for displaying a classic hanging crystal assortment? I inherited my grandmother’s assortment of pink and white crystals. She beloved them dearly, however by no means displayed them. She was a conservative southern woman and was afraid that visitors would see her crystals and assume she was into the occult. It appears foolish now. I do know. It’s so cute. Michelle says it appears foolish now, however I respect her emotions on the time. I’d prefer to show the crystals in a method that reclaims their pleasure. I feel grandma would love that. Any concepts?

Elsie: To begin with, I really like this. I despatched a clarifying e-mail to Michelle and simply requested can I see an image of them. I simply wished to verify I knew. So what she despatched me again, actually seems like crystals that may come off of a chandelier or the little ones that you’d purchase, that you would dangle considered one of them like in a window. Although with heaps and plenty of sides. So yeah, they regarded like a spread like that, and they’re pink and clear.

Emma: Great. Great. Yeah, it feels like an amazing assortment. And truthfully, I’ll begin as a result of these have been two issues. I didn’t get the clarifying image. So sensible. Elsie, good factor you emailed her cuz I used to be like hanging crystals. I really feel like perhaps these are the kind of issues which might be gonna go on a chandelier. So I used to be like, I’m wondering if she might purchase a chandelier. That has hanging crystals, that’s like perhaps in disrepair or type of perhaps it’s cheaper cuz it’s probably not very fascinating. And he or she might take off the items which might be on it and placed on these. So then it’s type of a DIY slash reclaiming the body of it if that makes any sense. Kinda like recovering a lampshade. You’re probably not making the entire lamp, however you’re giving it new life right here. So I used to be pondering one thing like that is likely to be cool if she wished to have it as a chandelier in her dwelling, or I additionally thought hanging them in home windows all through her home can be type of particular. In my thoughts, I’m like, meaning like just a little piece of your grandma’s in each room, like each window that you simply stroll previous and it glitters by means of the crystals.

Elsie: I really like that.

Emma: It’s not really within the crystal, however the reminiscence of her and stuff, you already know what I imply?

Elsie: The sure type of home windows which have the little, I don’t know what you name it, the little piece of {hardware} within the center between the 2 pans like older home windows have that so much. That might be excellent. I had written it down, so I undoubtedly have seen on eBay crystal chandeliers which might be stripped from all their crystals. That’s undoubtedly a factor that you could purchase for a small value and make one thing. I feel it sounds sophisticated, however very, it does enjoyable. I might counsel perhaps a candle chandelier, simply so that you don’t have to love mess with {the electrical} one thing. Then you’ll be able to dangle it wherever and you may simply get these little distant candles. I feel candle chandeliers are so fairly anyway, however yeah, I feel one in each window might be the transfer. I feel it’s so candy and particular and you would simply have one hanging there and then you definately’ll get the little glow lights in your partitions and it’ll make you consider your grandma, which nothing might be sweeter than that. Then the final concept I had was to exit, go to the flea market, purchase your self a latte and decide the prettiest classic bowl you could find and simply put them in your espresso desk with all of your fairly books after which this bowl together with your grandma’s crystals. And I additionally assume that may be a pleasant method to have them, as a result of for me, my youngsters love enjoying with crystals. I’ve an enormous crystal assortment from earlier than I had youngsters and after they discovered it, oh my God, it’s like higher than toys. In order that’s enjoyable.

Emma: Crystals are fairly and anytime somebody has a bowl of crystals out on a espresso desk displayed, I have a tendency to the touch them too. Until it’s clear you’re not alleged to. However I really feel like that’s type of fairly apparent, like go forward and contact these. Transfer. I had that on my record too. I had two others that I don’t really feel, I really feel like those we’ve listed are the methods to go, however I had two others that have been simply totally different concepts in case she had so much within the assortment and she or he needs to place them in home windows after which has extra. So it’s type of like, I need just a few concepts. So the opposite two have been a shadow field they usually wouldn’t essentially be hanging, however they might be displayed in there. So you would have form of an artwork show of a few of your favorites or a few of the extra totally different shapes. After which the final one and this one, I don’t know, as a result of it feels like these crystals are actually, actually particular to her. So I don’t know, however I simply thought I’d throw it on the market. I used to go on walks in my outdated neighborhood and there was this one home that had all these oddly formed large crystals. They’re not even actually, all of ’em have been crystals. A few of them have been identical to coloured glass items within the entrance backyard mattress. It was like a crystal backyard.

Elsie: I do know precisely which home you’re speaking about. The one which has form of just like the little artwork gallery. Like they make it like a dwelling, what do you name it, like a low-key outside artwork gallery and there’s identical to totally different stuff in there on a regular basis. It’s very tactile, it’s like very touch-friendly, kid-friendly. I feel it’s like very, Inspiring and funky prefer it makes the entire neighborhood cooler.

Emma: It actually does, and I feel this actually will depend on your neighborhood as a result of on this explicit neighborhood, there’s a number of fairy gardens, there’s a number of little free libraries. So I feel it is extremely clear to individuals when. You possibly can contact issues however not take them. And when you’ll be able to contact issues they usually can transfer round and that’s okay. So I feel you’d wanna make it clear by some means with the best way you displayed it, that you could contact these, however don’t take them. I feel that that may be accomplished fairly simply. You would additionally, relying on how your home is ready or your condominium, you may wanna even do it in a planner field or one thing that simply makes it clear like it is a show so that you can take a look at and revel in, however please don’t contact them or take them. Type of as much as you. It relies upon, on the vibe you’re desirous to go for and stuff. However yeah, identical to you say l see, it’s like a particular factor. And I additionally love the concept of, when you may have a set or one thing that’s particular to you and let others see it and also you additionally wanna clearly maintain your issues and ensure they don’t get broken, particularly in the event that they’re household heirlooms. However I don’t know, it makes it actually particular to me after I get to, ultimately share my assortment with others. I feel it’s actually enjoyable.

Elsie: Okay. Properly, you’re gonna must tell us which one you find yourself doing and ship us a follow-up image cuz now we’re all invested on this crystal assortment.

Emma: We’re Michelle.

Elsie: However yeah, I feel it’s very cool. Thanks a lot for listening. We will probably be again subsequent week with our reactions to 2023 pattern predictions.