song to listen to while reading: maybe love by weyes blood
Author’s Note:
December 27th, 2023
Hi lovely readers,
I started writing this wrapped early so that future me doesn’t freak out when she realizes it’s 11pm on the last day of the month.
2023 has been a blur, and I’ve spent the last hour going through my camera roll and blog archive, reminiscing and trying to remember what even happened in the past year.
In exactly a week, this blog will be one year old. For something that began as a silly little thing to do after I graduated, I am so grateful for almost 200 of you tuning into my writing every month and supporting me on this platform. It has been a pleasure meeting other writers and readers here, and every minute from you spent, whether it be liking a piece, restacking, commenting, or subscribing, I cherish greatly from the bottom of my heart.
Happy holidays to you, whether near or far.
Thank you for making my 2023.
- Rach
Some life lessons I learned this year:
Mistakes will happen, you might let others or yourself down, or even fail.
Looking back on this year, I wish I did a lot of things differently. Regret takes up a lot of thought space with phrases like “I wish” or “I would” or “I should have”. Reflection on the past is perfectly normal, and it gives opportunity for improvement. This year, I encourage you to embrace shifts in perspective. Instead of overthinking or replaying a specific interaction in your mind, try to think of how the situation taught you something, challenged your biases, or opened your eyes to a habit or pattern that you did not notice before. Life is not meant to be picture-perfect, and sometimes the more mistakes we make, the more we get out of them.
There is no such thing as too many questions.
In high school, I thought it was annoying to ask more than one question in class, so I mostly kept my mouth shut. This lesson doesn’t really apply if information is already given freely and openly (“did you read the syllabus?” situation), but more is in tune with content that is present all around us, especially in media. 2023 forced me to do my own research, whether reading entire articles for myself instead of just the headlines, citing reputable sources instead of just referring to something on instagram, and being curious and more conscious about what I was consuming and commenting on.
The world will not end if you decide to stay in instead of going out.
I’ll admit, I have a serious fear of missing out. My mind thinks that if I miss plans, others will be disappointed in me, even if my body can’t keep up. This year has been a year of boundaries, and the realization that if I say no, people will not hate me for it. Saying no to plans or deciding to rest and recharge isn’t completely a bad thing, and sometimes, it is exactly what we need.
With that said, the next point is:
Take that leap.
Time does not stop for anybody. Opportunities will pop in and out, and might disappear before you can get on them. If you are thinking of doing something eventually, I would encourage you to just do it! I know it sounds cliche. Everyone’s situation may vary, but if you have the time, resources, and urge deep down to apply for that job or program, start that endeavour, or you’re itching to make more connections this year, make the first move. Who knows, you could even start your own newsletter ;)
The best memories are made when in the moment.
Many of us have the instinct to pull our phones and cameras out when presented with something shareable or monumental. Looking back on the year, my fondest memories were made in the presence of others, whether sitting on a cramped dorm room bed, in a circle in the middle of a field, on a bench at the base of a mountain, or on a log facing the waves and sunset. Just having the time to listen and laugh, with no distractions, was much more worthwhile than a 10 second video clip. In the end, the inside jokes, the fuzzy feeling of nostalgia, and the friendships I still hold on to, were made solely through the magic of connection.
In tandem with lesson #4, my big announcement for this past year (December included), was that I wrote for a magazine! I did not completely decide the titles, but the main essay was written by me in an editorial process from October to November.
Without further ado, here is the piece I wrote for Issue 04 of Primadonna Zine:
The full issue can be read here: Primadonna Zine i04 - Revelation
Here is a quick list of all my media recommendations this month:
Listening
Darling I Do - Ezra Williams
Hey Girl - Stephen Sanchez
Living in the 90s - tiger del flor
Not - Big Thief
Real Love Baby - Father John Misty
Reading (on Substack)
Solitary Daughter - Raquel Alvarado
Standout article from this month:
Third Thing - Anson
Standout article from this month:
Watching
That is all for this month, see you next year :)
- Rach
Hi Rach! Happy New Year and congratulations on your lovely article, it's made me want to immediately plan a girls night out and take to the streets at night like a storm - peace and love always, StrangeGlue
Hi, it's been awhile!! Happy new year. I love this piece as always and I agree with all of it. I also read the piece that you wrote for the magazine and when I tell you the writing was the best it really was the best, I love it! <33