I’ve always liked the idea of new year’s resolutions, if I’ve hated the practice of them. In truth, I’ve never made a firm resolution, and I’ve never followed through on any of my half-baked attempts at resolutions, or goals, or aims, or whatever I called them to try and trick my brain into just doing the damn thing already.
I have dropped out of 30-day yoga challenges, and I’ve stopped bringing my lunch to work after too many sad desk salads. I’ve put purchases on a credit card before paying off the balance from the month before (oooooh, I live life dangerously! What a picture I’m painting here: I shop with credit and I occasionally eat salads. Watch out, kids, I’m a wild one.)
But the idea of a new year’s resolution is so enticing. It makes total sense, doesn’t it? There’s the clean, fresh slate of a new year, ready for me to be a new person. All I need is a desire to change, and the momentum of the new year will surely push me over the finish line.
In reality, that never works. At least not for me. Instead, the goals and resolutions become unhealthy little fixations for two weeks, and then I abandon them and feel guilty until the end of time. Admittedly, it’s not a perfect system.
So! Here’s what I’m really getting at. No resolutions this year, obviously. 2020 was a trashfire and we’re almost done with it. Who knows what 2021 will bring? Why would we possibly tempt fate by publicly deciding to go to the gym more or learn a new language? Instead, let’s look back.
This year, I’ve been able to work on some very cool projects that I’ve enjoyed immensely. I started this newsletter! I produced this segment for CNN, I covered breaking news for Maclean’s and VICE, and I was able to travel to New Zealand for a press trip in February. That trip allowed me to visit me brother, sister-in-law, and nephews in Australia right before countries started locking down, and I’m still shocked at the good fortune of my timing. (I’m veering dangerously close to sappy territory, but you already know I like to live on the edge, so roll with it.)
All of those things will be what pushes me forward in 2021, not resolutions. The work and connections and memories I’ve made this year are a foundation upon which 2021 will unfold.
In the spirit of looking backwards to look forwards, and because my friend Kerilee tells me I don’t do enough self-promotion, here are three stories I’m particularly proud of this year. Please check them out if you feel so inclined.
For Timber, I profiled Josh Gondelman and talked about his podcast “Make My Day” which is a delight. The interview was fun, and it was one of the first profiles of this kind that I’ve ever written. I’m really happy with how it turned out.
For Vice, I learned about allostatic load, and why we’re all so tired during the pandemic. I beat several other outlets with this story, and I was told by an editor that even months later, this article still gets regular traffic. That’s nice!
For The Daily Beast, I looked at internet access across the US, and how it impacts Indigenous creators. I’m really proud of this story for several reasons, but one of them is because the editor got back to me one hour after I submitted my draft and said, I swear, “Love it. Cut. Send to print.” No notes! That never happens.
If you, like me, are avoiding the trap of the resolution this year, I invite you to comment below with something that you’re proud of from 2020. Hopefully these good works will propel us forward together.
A note: I’ll be taking the rest of the year off, both from this newsletter and from as much work as I can reasonably manage. I’ll see you in January!
Recommendations From the Slush Pile:
Don’t fall victim to corona cuffing season. (yes, I wrote this one too. I’m sneaking it in here for Kerilee.)
A look at what schools across the country are doing to promote air flow with COVID.
Novel of the Week: High School by Tegan and Sara Quin. This memoir from twins and famous Canadians was poignant and sweet, and also made me cringe in embarrassment at my own high school memories. I first saw Tegan and Sara perform at the West End Cultural Centre with my friend Paloma about 20 years ago, or so. (That number is astounding to me). Anyway, I’ve been a fan ever since, and I’m happy to report their book is good!
One Last Thing:
May we all take this level of confidence into 2021
A little late. But I just caught up on a bunch of EBC content. Loved every bit. Can’t wait to see what 2021 brings!