Looking Forward — That Cost How Much?

Following the rush and excitement of the holidays, early January always leaves me feeling a little depressed. After weeks of less than ideal food choices, way more drinking than is typical for me and night after night of bad sleep, I felt like total crap yesterday. But instead of wallowing, I’m trying to be positive and look for the good in the coming weeks and months ahead.

First thing on New Year’s Day morning, I put up my favorite Cavallini & Co. 2022 calendar. Printed on beautiful Italian paper, this year’s iteration is vintage travel posters.

After taking a break for the last three months, I’m going back to tracking my macros and upgrading my MyFitnessPal account for the month of January. Focusing on protein intake and daily movement is what works best for me and helps me to feel my best. I’m so excited to get back to it. If you’re new to macro counting and would like to challenge yourself this month, I couldn’t recommend the Madeline Moves app and her Tighter Together program enough. It kickstarted my shift in eating and exercising last year and it has truly changed my body and the way I feel about myself.

Dry January has become an annual tradition for my partner and me. I look forward to it as a time to step back and focus on my health and mental wellness. I love the occasional drink but it really takes a toll on my mood, my sleep quality, and my ability to function optimally. At my age, the reasons not to drink are far outweighing my desire to imbibe.

One thing that will not be changing is the amount of TV I watch in 2022. I’m looking forward to these series/films the most this month..

The new Macbeth adaptation airs on Apple TV on 1/14 and is getting rave reviews.
The Gilded Age, a new period drama from the creators of Downton, begins airing on HBO 1/24.
The Afterparty, a show about a murder at a high school reunion, is coming to Apple TV on 1/28.

One pastime that’s taken a hit in the last year due to my graduate student status is my bedtime reading routine. I used to look forward to getting into bed at 8pm and sinking into a good book. Instead of fiction, nowadays I’m usually reading a peer-reviewed article or a textbook. This month, though, I’m off from school and I can’t wait to read some of 2021’s best titles. I’m hoping to get through Oh, William!, Lincoln Highway, and Invisible Child.

This week, I’m going to do (yet another) clean out of my closets and drawers. Lately, I’ve taken to sending stuff to ThredUp, who partners with some of my favorite retailers for store credit in exchange for gently used clothing. I’ll be sending in a kit for Athleta store credit to get me excited to hit the gym in 2022.

I’m also looking for more motivation in the kitchen these days. Our tiny space is less than ideal for cooking, so I’m considering some upgrades like the Always Pan and an air fryer to make my life a little easier. I want to keep it simple and eat more fish, seafood, and my favorite tofu and tempeh recipes.

I finally found a therapist I like, and I can’t wait to get to work with her on some issues I’ve put on the back burner. In these wild times, getting some help with your mental health, no matter who you are, is essential. If you happen to be in the New York area, this is a resource for some great emergency and low-fee services.