2022 was such a year for me that on New Year's Eve, I considered booking a flight to Europe to escape it even faster. I did not do this—I just stood on a cliff and punted a wholesale box of 2022 calendars off the side of it at midnight instead (I wish). Truthfully? I spent a lot of time reflecting on the good that came out of the year amid the bad and the ugly.
When you find yourself in mentally challenging periods of stress and personal growth, it's important to lean on friends and family and prioritize self-care, the latter of which I am discovering and defining for myself. Some days self-care looks like splurging on an item I’ve been eyeing for months; others it’s taking five minutes away from my desk to caffeinate while staring out the window in silence. All these moments of treating yourself, whether they are big or small, add up, to keep the balance of rain and thunder in check with some sunshine.
By the end of 2023, I'm trying to have a surplus of sunshine, ok?! Here's how I plan on doing that.
Wake up earlier
Please stop running away from me before I explain why this blasphemous proposition is actually a good thing: I love to exercise in the morning. Daily movement wakes me up, keeps my brain feeling creative, and makes me a better partner, family member, and friend. Unfortunately, it also takes a big bite out of my day and, if I wake up and get to the gym too late, I can feel rushed while finding my way back into my daily routine. In 2023, I'm looking to get to bed earlier and wake up earlier to make time for and prioritize a lift, run, or stretch that will start my day off on the right foot. Check-in with my alarm clock sometime in February to see how this goal is progressing.
Get my wardrobe right
There was a very specific day in early 2022 when I woke up and realize that I hated what my wardrobe became throughout the pandemic. My closet was full of pieces from the Before Times™ that didn't fit my current style trajectory. I ended up donating 5 bags of clothes and one bag of shoes to charity and was left with a sartorial hole in my heart. I set a big goal to begin building a capsule wardrobe of fashion essentials that could carry me through three more pandemics (please, no…no more) and make me feel excited about getting dressed up for work and events again. I'm a busy gal and simply don't have time to go shopping in stores every weekend to complete my quest.
StitchFix makes it easy to find pieces that fit my aesthetic and my budget. I started by taking a style quiz to narrow in on my fashion identity, and from there, a stylist sent me pieces that feel like they were meant for me. Their selection contains brands I already know and love. After I receive a box from my stylist, I decide what I'd like to buy and I send back the rest with free shipping. There's no need to worry about committing to a membership fee, either—every time I want my stylist to whip up a box of magic, I pay a small fee, and they'll send one out. A dream!
Get my lashes done
Why didn't anybody tell me about lash lifts earlier?? I feel betrayed. Like many people, I gave up on wearing makeup (and a bra) in March 2020 and I strive to keep my beauty routine as simple as possible from here on out. I got my first lash lift, which is when a lash technician perms your lashes into a perfect curl, early last year for a wedding and I felt like unlocked a new personality. Imagine having lashes that just casually stand up on their own, without having to worry about your mascara clumping by the end of the work day. While the process might be a little more expensive than the cost of the occasional mascara tube, it saves me time and makes me feel pretty.
Make time for tea
One of the great joys that came out of 2022 was discovering that I have pretty bad acid reflux, which is what I get for turning 30. Another great joy was learning that my coffee and espresso habit aggravated my stomach acids and that I needed to find a new solution for daily caffeine. After putting up many fights, my boyfriend convinced me to try genmaicha green tea. From there, I converted to matcha. The process of making my daily latte is like a small meditation—just me whisking my little green powder and watching some almond milk swirl into a gentle froth. It is the perfect treat to start each day. PS, I miss you, coffee.
Play secondlife games
I've been a fan of these games since I tried one in 2000. I love participating in drama that in no way impacts my life or relationships, which is what this game is all about. I lost touch with it for a while, but I felt a strong urge to start playing again after my coworkers insisted that I do exactly that. There's nothing like making some tea, throwing on a podcast, and drifting off into a fake reality that is messy and wonderful.
Mia Lardiere (she/her) is Cosmopolitan’s emerging platforms director, who oversees Cosmo’s Snapchat Discover channels, TikTok page, and special projects. She works with TikTok influencers and IRL experts to craft excellent educational content. She also occasionally contributes fitness and lifestyle articles. In her spare time, she runs with the Brooklyn Track Club and awaits the day that she will become a mom to a mini sheepadoodle.
