It’s always so hard to return to reality after a week off at a slower pace, isn’t it?! We are all back to work and school, but multiple exposures to COVID are keeping us grounded at home for the short term. This week, I read two books in a series, continued my calendar audit and am still pondering what’s next for 2022. Here’s what I’ve been reading, writing, learning and loving the first week of the new year!

What I'm Reading:

I never read two books by the same author within a single week. But I did this week. My husband gave me a signed copy of both books written by JD Spero as a Christmas present. He was at our local bookstore trying to find a book that I would like (and haven’t read!) and Spero was signing her books at an event. The books take place in his hometown and I couldn’t resist reading them as my first books in 2022 since I knew I’d make more connections than the average reader.

Forte by JD Spero

At first, I was skeptical. I am NOT a fantasy reader and the story unraveling seemed to have elements of fantasy around a magical stone called aquamarine. But I’m glad I kept reading. Spero tells Sami’s story: a talented teenager who loses her ability to play the piano after moving across the state and falling for the allure of the aquamarine drink, a powerful drug that induces superhuman athletic powers, but reduces artistic ones. Over the course of the story, Sami comes to terms with who she is, what she was born to do and what her place in the world is. And call me crazy, but I couldn’t help but settle into my own purpose as I experienced Sami’s journey, too. It was unexpectedly the perfect book for me to read at the start of a new year.

Concerto by JD Spero

As soon as I finished Forte, I went right to Concerto, the second book in the series, eager to find out how Sami continues her journey. And since I’m not one for fantasy, I put the fantastical elements aside (magical birthmarks, future-predicting-music and the like) to once again learn from Sami. Thrust into a new situation where she has to sort through her purpose and gifts for the world, we learn about friendship and the ties that bind, love and complicated relationships and the powers that just might still exist around us. And if you love that kind of vibe full of modern mythology, you’ll want to take a look at Concerto, the third book in the series, too.

What I'm Writing:

The theme in my notebook this week was all about fresh starts, my one word (or two!) of the month. I renewed my zest for morning pages and started with 5 lists inspired by Suleika Jaouad. Here they are:

  1. What in the last year are you proud of?
  2. What did this year leave you yearning for?
  3. What’s causing you anxiety?
  4. What resources, skills, and practices can you rely on in the coming year?
  5. What are your wildest, most harebrained ideas and dreams?

Honestly, I was surprised at how effective these lists were in thinking through what’s been on my mind, what I’d like to get off of it and what I’m looking forward to, no matter how small or silly. If you love lists like I do, then please give this a try. 

What I'm Learning:

This week was focused on my calendar audit. I started loosely auditing my calendar last year and this week, I tackled it with much more intensity. I follow Rachel Holli’s simple framework to literally go through my calendar one event at a time and learn from how I spend my days. And now, I’m armed with insights I couldn’t have gotten without it, like how to make the most important aspects of my work the most important and how I MUST build in more time for self-care. If auditing your calendar sounds like something you need to make a fresh start in your life for 2022, then grab your notebook and listen to this episode!

What I'm Loving:

Look at these creative bullet journal spreads! I am IN LOVE with the layered sticky note page and the Theme of the Week. I choose one word for each month and can easily see myself creating a page like this in my notebook for the month. 

It’s time for a fresh start for your desktop! Here’s a beautiful January calendar from 1Canoe2 to download, save and set. Today!

Austin Kleon celebrated 100 things that made his year. I am pretty blown away by this list and think I might attempt to give it a try in my notebook. This is yet another reason why I need to start collecting memories on my calendar!

You know I love reading children’s literature and this week, I found a new YA podcast to add to my collection: Hey YA. Tune in with me!

There you have it! I hope this inspires you to make space for more reading and writing in your own life. What are the highlights from your literate life this week?