Questions Buzzfeed Told Me To Ask Myself

Granted, it was at the end of 2015, but when Buzzfeed asks, I answer. (Just kidding, I don’t care what piece of IKEA furniture I am or how I’d get murdered on Murder, She Wrote – okay, fine, I do – thrown from a drugged horse. Predictable.) The end of the year is a time for reflection and blah blah blah. So here goes…

1. What did you do this year that you’re proud of?

Freelanced full time (except for the summer) and actually made a living.

Made precious memories with my precious children with absolutely no whining or ice cream bribing whatsoever.

Told myself I’d never get bangs and stuck to it. 

2. Who did you meet this year that inspired you?

I probably technically met Nancy more than a year ago, but I got to know her this year and she’s one of a kind. She has a brilliant co-parenting theory that I can’t reveal here lest I blow her cover and an amazing joie de vivre that’s totally contagious.

3. What did you read that you think bettered you?

A bajillion New York Times and Washington Post articles that helped me make sense of our seemingly senseless reality these days. Definitely worth paying for the subscription to support good journalism.

4. What are songs that you will always hear and think of this year even when you’re listening on some contraption that hasn’t even been invented yet?

Songs that the kids and I listened to on repeat all summer (and beyond): Despacito (sigh), Look What You Made Me Do, and as always, The Imperial March.

5. What were some times that you laughed so hard you could barely breathe?

Every time my kids write their own jokes.

Most recently, we went bowling with some friends we’d made on vacation at Lake Winnipesaukee. They’re a single dad and his daughter, and we’ve spent all of about six or seven hours total with them. While the dad was bowling, I tried to distract him by yelling and Matty screamed, “Suck it, Chris!” really loudly. I laughed really hard, mainly about what a-holes we are.

6. What were your favorite movies? Not what was good, not what you had to see because of your friends or the media. What were your favorites?

Baby Driver, The Big Sick, and even though it’s apparently totally uncool to like it, The Last Jedi

7. What are some fears that you had at the beginning of the year that you overcame?

I was mainly worried that Trump was going to get us all killed in a nuclear and/or civil war, but I can’t say I’ve overcome that, so let’s go with a fear that I wouldn’t be able to cut it as a freelance copywriter, especially if I took the summer off with the turds. I’m also still working on overcoming my fear of creepy dolls, ghosts, and my reflection when I’m alone at night.

8. What were quotes that you loved this year?

What am I, in 7th grade? Here are some recent tweets I liked, so we could call those quotes I loved.

9. What are ways that you exercised self care?

I’m really fortunate that I married a guy who respects my need for me-time. I take a bootcamp class with a group of friends two mornings a week, and try to do a girls’ night on the regular. Matty and I also do date night every two weeks, even if sometimes it’s just dinner and shopping at TJ Maxx to kill time so we don’t come home embarrassingly early. I also semi-frequently take really hot baths, with epsom salt, baking soda, and lavender oil. It’s something called an Ultra Bath I learned from Dr. Hyman, who is in no way a made up doctor just because his name is ridiculous.

10. What are things you want to see more of next year?

More reading, more of Rosie not peeing indoors (is that a cheat?)

11. What are five things you did that you never thought you’d actually do?

Ran at least a mile a day, everyday; went to Target once and spent less than $200; convinced Matty to let us get a dog; ran two half marathons and actually enjoyed one of them; marched on Washington.

12. What were your favorite things this year?

Celebrating my Nana’s 100th birthday, taking the summer off with the kids, adopting Rosie, and perennial favorite: nachos.

13. What are the most important things you learned this year?

You can have it all, just not all at the same time.

Be grateful for what you have.

Don’t buy your kids tablets.

If you eat ice cream every day for two and a half months, you will gain weight. It will be worth it.

14. What is your favorite photo from this year?

15. What are five things you want to say to people you love?

I love you.

Thank you.

I’m so grateful for you.

You’re all I need to be happy.

Please stop chewing so grossly.

16. What are some places where you feel true joy in your life?

Watching my children sleep in their beds, at a restaurant eating nachos with Matty

17. Where do you feel most yourself?

At a restaurant eating nachos with Matty.

18. What were your favorite meals?

Nana’s 100th birthday dinner and all the surrounding meals, dim sum with Jyl, Bryan & Micki in Sarasota, dim sum with my parents, mother-law, nephew, Matty & the turds, every dinner my parents made us this summer, and anytime Matty and I did take out in front of the TV after the kids went to bed and pretended we were 30 again.

19. How did you calm yourself in times of stress?

Wait, you can calm yourself?

20. What are some compliments that you received that deeply affected you?

“You’re a great writer.” – Bob Minihan, ECD

“You’re the mom I aspire to be.” – Kelly Ternarsky

“You’re too funny. And you’re too cute.” – random Words with Friends opponent/harasser

21. Who are people that you believe are bringing out the best in you?

Matty, Hazy, George, Diane (my bootcamp & running coach and friend)

22. What items of clothing did you buy that felt the most you?

This vintage dress I bought from my friend Dina’s vintage jewelry shop, my new mermaid wig which also doubles for a rock ‘n roll Friendsgiving theme, my Guns ‘n Rosé tank top, and my Sex, Drugs & Lobster Rolls t-shirt.

23. What are you excited about leaving behind in 2015 2017?

Clutter, lying to myself (see “clutter”)

24. What are five things that you were hard on yourself about but would never have been hard on a friend if they were experiencing it?

Being impatient with the turds, being impatient with Rosie, not having a cleaner house, being an inconsistent blogger, not coming up with 5 things when Buzzfeed asks you to

25. What are the best pieces of advice you heard this year?

“You don’t have to always do something.” – my mom, regarding time with the kids

“If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.” – Marty McFly

“Relax” – Matthew. (Just kidding, don’t ever say this to me again, Matty.)

26. What are the best pieces of advice you gave this year?

“Flush the toilet after you poop!”

“If you roll in poop, you’re gonna get a bath.”

27. What things have you been putting off doing because you didn’t have time?

Cleaning my closet, clearing out my old laptop and desktop, organizing paperwork

28. What are some things you’d like to focus and work on in the next year?

Being organized, being on time, being patient, blogging more consistently, reading more often

29. What are the best parts of you that you feel really showed through this year?

A desire to make life fun and exciting for my family, commitment to putting good vibes out into the universe, optimism

30. What are your biggest hopes for 2016 2018?

That our country comes together instead of being divided, that my family and friends are happy and healthy, and that Rosie stops peeing on my parents’ rugs (and ours)

What are your biggest hopes for 2018? Buzzfeed and I would like to know.

Happy New Year!