What I’m Bringing Into 2024

Hi there, it’s Jess. How is the new year going for you? I know resolutions aren’t for everyone but I always like making a few changes every year, just so that the years don’t all blend together. Here’s what I’m excited to bring into 2024:

More Focus at Work

I’ve developed a very bad habit at work that I’m determined to clean up this year. Confession: when I’m not writing and doing tasks that don’t require complete creative focus, I will often have a TV show (usually one I’ve seen several times) playing in the background. This habit has come out of too many years of working solo. As an extrovert, I like the sounds of familiar people around me, even if it’s a fictional character from The Office. It makes work feel less lonely, but it is not good for working efficiently.

To kick this habit, I am now leaving the iPad at home to completely remove the temptation. It does not need to come to the office with me (I rent a desk at my local JCC’s coworking space, but I am also the only tenant).

I have also found this great podcast called Flow State (you can listen to it on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts). It plays ambient music and sounds and uses the Pomodoro technique to help you focus and break up your work. You can choose between 30 minute work / 5 minute break or 60 minute work / 10 minute break intervals, and since it’s just all background noise that you mostly tune out, you can just repeat the same episode over and over once you find one you like. 

During the work periods, I set my devices to do-not-disturb as well and during the break periods, I force myself to get out of the office and just take a lap around campus to stretch my legs. With all the extra writing I want to do here this year, I needed to adopt a better routine. It’s already paying off – I feel so much more energized from allowing my brain to focus more deeply.

More In-Person Exercise

I went to my first in-person exercise class last week since before the pandemic (so almost 4 years ago!), and it felt joyous to be around other people. Even though I exercise almost every day, the pandemic and a previously less-flexible schedule had me switch over to all digital on-demand classes, originally via Aaptiv and then over to Peloton. Both were great and met my needs but I’m a social person, and I’ve missed working out with others. I’m excited to find a regular yoga class and to also start working with a trainer weekly. I really want to step up my strength training this year, since we all start losing muscle mass after the age of 30 (isn’t that crazy?). I don’t want to end up a weak elderly lady, so as an avid planner, I’m gonna start that work now.

I’m still doing all my running training solo but I have thought about joining a local run club. The times are not great for the ones that I’ve found – either really early in the morning or right at dinner time (these folks must not have kids or are empty nesters) – but I’m a pretty happy solo runner and think I’ll get my people fix from other activities.

More Doing My Nails

I definitely got marketed to by Olive and June during the pandemic and because there was nothing better to do, I bought way too much nail polish, like I could start a salon amount of nail polish. But how many times did I paint my nails last year? I did my hands once for a wedding and then maybe painted my toes three or four times over the summer. 

I always find doing my own nails therapeutic, and this superficial touch makes me feel just a bit more polished and put together so I’m leaning into using my huge Olive and June collection this year. I’m here for all the colors!

Now I want to know what you’re bringing into 2024. If you’re reading this via email, you can just hit reply. If you’re reading this on the site, drop a comment below. 

I’m so happy to be kicking off 2024 with you! 

Read my previous post: All the New Things I Tried in 2023