My friend (and amazing writer) Vanessa recently published a piece on why she had let her newsletter fall to the wayside this past year. I’ll be honest, I wish I would have written it myself.
I’ve said time and time again how baby Sarah always dreamed of having a blog (I still have one, it’s temporarily defunct) and this newsletter was an outlet for me to just push out whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. But like most things, due to my perfectionistic tendencies, I stalled out. My little baby fingers were overwhelmed. I wanted to have the right thing, something (anything), to say but I would get virtually choked up.
This year, I’m throwing caution to the f*cking wind. My goal for the year (please hold me to this) is that I’ll write and post at least one installment of this newsletter a month. I don’t think this will necessarily count for this month, but I’ll give myself the grace to fumble just a bit.
In terms of what’s happened since we last caught up:
I’m a redhead now. My childhood dream came true and it’s the most Me that I think I have ever felt.
I moved into a new apartment, with a lovely roommate and her dog, and I feel like New York is now more my home.
My community has grown not just in number but also in value. My friendships have deeper connection and intimacy, my lil chosen family.
I’m have been cooking this lemon pasta recipe from TikTok nonstop. I feel very *chef* when I make it and it helps me save $$$.
I watched 258 films in 2022 (yes, I know, that is a lot).
My obsession with the app Notion got me some tidbits in the Wall Street Journal.
And here’s some of what I’m planning to do this upcoming year:
Read 20 books. This number gets lower and lower each year, but maybe 2023 is the time for me to finally complete my reading challenge on Goodreads.
Pay off my credit card. Financial stability and budgeting is IN, baby!
Create art for myself or finish one sketchbook. Just make SOMETHING. I’m leaning towards the sketchbook idea so I have something continuous.
Complete a piece of wearable clothing, either by crochet or sewing! I’ve always admired fiber arts and being able to wear something you have made with your own hands.
Get my ears pierced and get at least one more tattoo. People are always surprised to hear that I can’t wear earrings. That one time I locked myself in my childhood bathroom for 45 minutes and shoved a dull earring through my closed piercings clearly wasn’t enough motivation for me to not let them close back up.
Find fun activities that aren’t just eating/drinking. I have a list of things to try, don’t you worry! Also want to find things that can be free or suuuuper cheap.
Go on at least 5 bad dates. Yeah, I’m getting back out there! But why bad dates? I know that not all of my dates are going to be the best ever, so I’m keeping my expectations on the floor. However, I don’t want bad dates to stop me from dating, so if I have a goal for them, I’ll keep putting myself out there. (It makes sense to me, sorry!)
Sh*t I Can’t Stop Thinking About
I’m back (I truly never left) in my Step Up franchise obsession. I fear that one of those New York Tiktok sidewalk shows will ask me what I’m listening to and I will have to tell them I’m listening to The Potion by Ludacris…
Some newsletter inspo to share: Chloe in Letters. I hope one day this newsletter is half as beautiful, conceptually and technically, as hers.
Last night I finished Alisson Wood’s memoir Being Lolita. I couldn’t put it down and read through it until one in the morning. I’m now on to Killers of the Flower Moon, but Being Lolita is going to sit with me for a long time.
This Tiktok of Rina Sawayama doing the XS dance on stage... living rent free.
Making moodboards for every month. Here is January’s:
Thank you for sticking around. See you soon. <3
Love to see you writing again! 🫶🏼