Wait, didn’t I say I was taking December off? Well, yes I did. I’m taking December off… from writing NEW words. But there are plenty of old words to go around. That doesn’t sound right. EDIT: There are plenty of old, glorious and nimble, flexy and young-at-heart words to go around.
Today, I thought I’d use this opportunity to spread the joy with some highlights from the year as we prepare to hand it a glass of eggnog before kicking it in the pants and right out the door. Bye 2023, ya filthy animal! But not yet.
These are my most popular posts from this year, in case you missed them.
🫡 Your Captain, Janeen
Header image: Reviving my Danner boots this week. The approach of a new year is ripe for this kind of maintenance. I put red laces in them, which were the original color.
#1: The Darkness: A Love Letter
This one stormed it in as easily my most popular post. I thought the length would hold it back, but it didn’t. That said, even though I would prefer people to read it, I understand that it is long, which is why I’m sharing the podcast link to it. Yes, it’s available on the podcast for your listening pleasure. Link below.👇
My favorite response to this post was a friend sending me a video of her singing “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” in the car as she drove across the desert in… I think Utah(?) after listening to the podcast. If nothing else, it served as a reminder to a great many people of the majesty of The Darkness.
📝 The Post is here: The Darkness: A Love Letter
🎧 The Podcast episode (let me read it to you - 30 minutes) is here:
📺 And, as a bonus, the non-paywalled behind-the-scenes of the post is here, free for everyone to watch: Behind the Streams, Ep. 29 “The Darkness”
And now, the saddest trombone part of the story? I got a notification that The Darkness (or whoever runs their socials) saw it when I shared it on Instagram. My heart skipped. I swooned. Yes! My love will be seen
Not even one like. ❤️ A nice reminder that I’m not wired to clout chase (is that what it’s called?) It was a long read, and who has time to read on tour, right? (This is what I’m telling myself). It’s also another reminder that alas, as with all things love-related and Janeen-shaped, I express my adoration wholly and without shame and it remains a one-sided affair and quite in vain. Doesn’t matter. I still love them!
#2: Are You Carrying Unnecessary Weight in your Life Box?
I wasn’t expecting this one to do so well, but I guess we’re all looking for advice on how to better balance our lives. This was the second most-read post for 2023.
📝 You can read it here. It’s short. Are You Carrying Unnecessary Weight in Your Life Box?
Or, let me read it to you here:
📺 This one is ALSO not behind the paywall anymore so anyone can watch the making of (or in this case, me philosophizing about it) here: Behind the Streams: “Life Box”
Now, the burning question of 2023—How’s your life box holding up? Got the weight distribution right? Let me know in the comments.
#3: What does it mean to be the best?
The first post of 2023 came in at #3, which I can only put down to people kicking around after New Year’s and wondering what to do with their lives. Or maybe it was the picture of Tina Turner I used as the header image? Either way, it’s one of those “just keep going” posts to kick off the year.
Keep working. Keep going. Keep creating. The work. Do the work. Etc. Etc.
📝 You can read it here: What does it mean to be the best?
#4: Grandma’s Hands
I received the most personal messages from people about this one and it—this is gonna sound super hippie—it touched me. Thank you for reaching out. In that regard, this was the #1 post of the year, which is right and just because, well, Grandma.
Grandma, who passed on at 99 just shy of 100, would’ve been chuffed to have been known by you all. She would’ve instantly offered to make each of you a crocheted rug, trust me. Forever missed, always adored. Vale, Grandma!
📝 There are some beautiful photos of her (and her hands) in the post, which you can read here: Grandma’s Hands
🎧 And yes, this one is also on the Podcast already because I wanted to honor her in the moment. Listen to me read it to you, here:
#5: The Episode in Which I Become a Citizen
And rounding out this rag-tag bunch coming in at number #5 is the post that made many Americans feel good about being American. This country has many faults, some of which are highly visible and getting more so every day, but I am proud to join this glorious mess and try to make something of it. I am now registered to vote and can take your government jobs because they are MY GOVERNMENT JOBS now.
📝 Go read it. Feel my weird and unexpected joy at this drive-through ceremony. Yes, I said drive-through. Read it here: The Episode in Which I Become a Citizen
Yeah, but what did I like?
Outside of those five? Hmmm…. I enjoyed writing The Steps in Between. I love anything that just sort of flows out of me in one complete piece that requires little editing. A lovely plum, pulled from a pie.
As soon as I read about the number of average steps taken between each hurdle in a race, I knew I wanted to write something about it and that title was pinned on my corkboard for quite a while before I got around to it. It wasn’t so much the hurdle angle I gravitated towards, but the impulse we all feel when we start something and how we want to be at the finish immediately.
But between the start and the finish are the steps. You cannot avoid them. I remind myself of this every time I get frustrated that things aren’t happening fast enough. Just settle Janeen. Just do the work. There I am saying that again. But I mean it.
📝 You can read that post here: The Steps in Between
Also… Oh Mother, Where Art Thou. Which is about mothers. I think that one hit, and features an absolutely magnificent photo of my mother with her mother.
OK. I’m out. 🫡 🎤