#11: Getting a little woo woo

Thoughts on journaling, manifesting, and family roasting

My little brother told me my new year’s resolution is to fall in love this year. Like it’s so easy.

We were sitting in the dining room in our Airbnb in Sedona, going around the table one by one. In my family, we give each other new year’s resolutions. As if we weren’t capable of choosing our own. Nobody can roast you like your family. They know you too well.

Your family has a unique ability to look deep inside you, find your deepest insecurity, and decide whether to use it against you or not. Sometimes we go easy on each other, encouraging someone to start meditating. Other times we go for the kill, telling someone “to be more cognizant” of their diet.

Last year, I opted out. Instead, I took myself to my favorite coffee shop and wrote out a list of hopes and dreams for 2023 and spoke two intentions into the universe.

Reflecting on my 2023 intentions:

1. To find the good energy that lifts me up, and to put that good energy into the universe.

2. To write, to process, and feel my feelings. To dream big, and to document the moments in my life I want to remember (the good and the bad).

How’d I do? I leaned into the vibe shift, saying yes to everything that came my way and prioritized spending time with my friends in SF. I started writing this newsletter, finally sharing more of my writing outside the pages of my notebooks.

I have always turned to writing to process hard things, remember sparkly moments, and allow myself to dream big. My most prized possession is a stack of small black Moleskin journals that span from my senior year of high school through the end of college. The pages inside document my rawest moments.

The journals morphed over my twenties. I dabbled with different brands and sizes and formats, and took a long (unplanned) hiatus from writing during a relationship. Heartbreak led me back to my journals, guiding me back to who I was and who I wanted to be.

A mini guide to getting a little woo in 2024

This year, I took myself to a coffee shop in Frogtown in LA on a cloudy Saturday and parked myself at an outdoor table with my notebook (this one - unlined), pen, and oat milk latte.

Step 1: Reflect on the past year.

What are you most proud of? For me, this exercise always brings up the big (I moved to LA!), the small (I had an IRL crush!), and the unexpected (I prioritized going to concerts on random weeknights!).

Did you do something even if it scared you? Did you work on healing a relationship with a family member? Did you do something small that brought you joy? Write it all down. No matter how big or small.

Step 2: Manifest.

I find that bullets work best here. If you speak it into the universe, it just might become something. For me, they often range from silly to serious. I usually have 8-10 bullets by the end.

I want to go to Copenhagen. I want to figure out my 401(k) situation. I want to make new friends. I want to go on fun dates (maybe love will follow). Last year, 7 out of my 10 manifestations came true.

Step 3: Identify your intentions.

Are intentions really all that different from traditional resolutions? Maybe. Maybe not. But they sound a whole lot better to me. When I look ahead to this year, who do I want to be? Where do I want to put my energy? Who do I want to spend time with? Who do I want to leave behind?

1. Build community and find my LA people that lift me up, get me out of my comfort zone, and see me for me.

2. Keep writing.

Step 4: Go forth!

It’s a new year. When you think about it, anything can happen in a year. You can blow up your life. You can meet some guy at a networking event and be engaged 11 months later (I’ve seen it happen).

I would like to give Sedona full credit for ushering in my woo woo era

As always, thanks for being here and thanks for reading Left on Read. Do you have any woo woo rituals to ring in the new year? Are you over resolutions? Into them? I’d love to hear all your hot takes.