sunday edition no. 4: 23 things that made my life better in 2023
my most used items for baby, postpartum, fashion, food, wellness, technology and skincare / beauty
We are one week into the new year, and it’s just about time for the Sunday Scaries to set in. Especially in January, Sundays are easy to feel like you need to go full Emily Mariko and get yourself ready for the Best! Monday! Ever! I know I talked a big game about resolutions last week. I’m curious to hear how y’all are feeling about it all. Starting strong? Taking the first week as a practice run? Completely over it all? would love to hear from you!
I find myself somewhere in the middle: I started the week feeling motivated and on top of everything, and generally stuck with all the things I wanted to start the new year on, mainly actually eating lunch and getting enough sleep. I have *struggled* to get enough sleep this fall, because a lot of the time I’m the most productive on creative work (see: this newsletter) after little bear has gone to bed… which is all fine and good until I try to also be a morning person and get up at 6 am to exercise.
It simply wasn’t working this fall, and I finally decided I need to try something different.
My (hopeful) solution: I’ve recently started a trial at a new gym that has childcare. So far, it’s giving me the flexibility on days I need to sleep in a bit to also get in a workout in the afternoons while my little guy has the opportunity for some time with peers and a new environment. We’re starting slow as we both ease into it, but I’m feeling positively about it all!
Otherwise, I’m spending this week wrapping up a few things before fully emotionally committing to 2024. It seems like every one and their mother put out their “year in review” content far before the new year. (If you didn’t share a 2023 recap, did it even happen??) However, I was far too busy to do that before the holidays, and personally like to begin a new adventure with reflection on the last one, so here we are.
For me, 2023 was a rollercoaster. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. I feel like I lived a million lifetimes in a regular calendar year , because upon reflection, I absolutely did. Without question, the best part of the year were certainly experiences and people, but my first draft trying to capture all of those things was more than six pages long (long winded ladies, rise up!)
In the spirit of a casual Sunday read however, here is instead a simple list of the 23 things that made my life better in 2023. These are the things I found myself reaching for again and again: repurchasing, recommending, and using beyond anything else. Here’s hoping one or many of these bring you as much joy, ease, comfort, or satisfaction as I they did me!
okay that’s it, love you!
Postpartum stuff:
I rolled into 2023 about six weeks out from having a baby, so these things were ALL top of mind, especially as they related to my own physical recovery.
TSS postpartum recovery program: I’ve used The Sculpt Society at home workouts since 2020, and generally love them. I used the pre-natal program during pregnancy (and completed my last one the day I went into labor!) and I started this a few weeks after delivery. I was so grateful for a gentle, accessible program to start to build back core and pelvic floor strength, and one that could be done easily, at home, while little bear snoozed or did tummy time.
Pelvic floor therapy: I had an uncomplicated, unmedicated natural delivery (wild, honestly) and the single best thing I did for my recovery was a formal stint with a pelvic floor therapist. It’s a weird, uncomfortable thing, and it took me longer than I would have thought to connect enough with my body to know to ask for help. Even if you feel like things are “fine”, highly recommend getting checked out pp if you can.
Bodily lactation latte: I exclusively breastfed for 6 months before baby started solids( still going on 14+ months now! ) and the bodily lactation latte was one of the best things I added in to my nutritional arsenal (in addition to postnatal vitamins and allllll the hydration) to keep my supply up. I personally liked the spiced vanilla flavor best, and usually had one at the end of the day before going to bed a few times a week.
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