This Year's Top Ten

Ten things that saved me this year. Take what you need, and leave the rest.

Here are some of the things that saved me this year. Take what you need, and leave the rest. Or, skim the newsletter to see some favourite photos from these past few weeks.

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1. EXERCISE

Strength and endurance. With a good exercise routine, all else will follow. Eating well will impact your energy levels, so you’ll eat better. Sleeping well will increase your performance tenfold, and you’ll sleep better. You’ll have more energy throughout the day. You’ll start to notice all the habits that impede on your health. You’ll adapt. But it takes time. I’ve been adapting for two decades. If you need workout tips, ask Boo. 

2. DOG TIME

This one’s obvious but I’ll die on this hill. The dogs are good at being, and we’ll never be done learning from them. Pay attention to dogs. Learn dogs. This year, I’ve learned to speak Boo, and I’ve uncovered my own parallel truths in the process. I have a feeling Yaya has some good lessons in store for me. Something about leaving space to be silly. 

3. LESS ALCOHOL

I quit drinking for two years and started again. Alcohol is poison. I still like to have a few now and then. I even let loose a few times this year. Moderation! But it turns out that my body especially doesn’t like it. I’m working through some health things, and right now I can hardly have a drink if I wanted to. But this has been a gift. A frustrating gift. My body has decided to make some good habits for me. I’m grateful.

4. PRIORITIZING PEOPLE

I spend a lot of time alone. It hasn't always been this way, I used to be surrounded by people. The shift to creating a life with more people takes time. Longer than it took to deconstruct that life. But I’ve been setting my intentions, reaching out even if they might say no thanks, saying yes even when I don’t feel like it. Identify the people that you admire, and spend time closer to people like them. Dog will help you explore the world, people will help you understand it.

My friend Claudia comforts Yaya after we missed the ferry.

5. SAYING YES

I said yes a whole lot this year. Especially when the thing was scary. But scary in that way where you know it’ll do you good, like cold plunging or telling someone you love them. I attended a writing workshop in LA, got to speak at a dog photography conference, met a whole lot of my idols, hosted a gallery exhibit for kids, did my first 10k run, hung out with (and photographed) the band that got me through high school, went to Mars (a story for another time), and danced my ass off. I’m learning to open myself up, and “yes” is the fuel that gets me there. 

6. GETTING OUTSIDE

Moving back to British Columbia in the summer made it easy to get outside more. Running and hiking quickly moved up my list of favourite dog friendly activities. I’m not gonna lie, the winter scares me. My heart is in the desert. But I’m pretty sure I’ve met some friends who will drag me out of the house kicking and screaming. Make habits, make plans, and show up.

I did not hide the dogs in this photo. I should have, but I didn’t.

7. READING

Reading is frustrating. I can hardly remember a single thing about a book I’ve read two weeks ago. So I changed my understanding of reading. It’s not a thing I do to create a vast library of knowledge in my brain that I could pull from at any time (impossible). Instead, it’s a tool to change my immediate perspective. I read intentionally and I read things that describe and help me build a life I want. Reading will change how I think this week, it will change how I feel today. That’s what matters. 

8. WRITING

I’ve been really pushing myself to write lately. I share about 20% of what I write either in this newsletter or on social media. I don’t know if it’s good, but it helps me. The rest is mostly junk, butI need to write it. It helps me get there. I write with pen on paper, I write in the Notes App, and I use an app called Day One. My reason for writing isn’t necessarily to be a better writer, it’s to be a better person. A well intentioned creative pursuit will change your life.

9. LESS WORRY, LESS DOUBT

I’m no stranger to self doubt. It’s something that I don’t think I’ll ever be without. I’ve moved mountains to get rid of it, and yet it’s there. Every therapist has told me “don’t be so hard on yourself.” My friend Megan had this TikTok that challenged me to intentionally let go of self doubt. This is a really solid step. Believe that you can let go of worry.

10. GROWTH BUCKET LIST

I can’t fix everything at once. Life is a game of fixing some parts while others break. There are also things that break while you’re fixing them. So I put some things in the bucket list, and I don’t allow myself the luxury of guilt for not getting to them now. Things like building community, family, financial independence, or a hard conversation I’m not ready to have. I also have bucket list items that are so exciting that they shape my daily routine. Like writing a book, or walking 3000 miles.

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I should also mention that this year I was diagnosed with ADHD. The symptoms of which have haunted me my entire life without definition. I've been medicating for a few months (Vyvanse, if you're curious), and it has been helping tremendously. This is a short term plan to help me create new habits around working and scheduling. I hope to get rid of medication entirely within the next 4-5 months, and see if I can hold onto the new habits.

I also am working through some gut and gallbladder and liver issues with my incredible health coach Sara Scherbakov-Coutts. I'm learning first hand just how much the gut (often called "the second brain") impacts mental health. My anxiety and depression are both much less frequent since the health overhaul started, and to be honest I'm not sure where to attribute it. Most likely all of it, and the rest of the items in this list.

Ok! That's all. Thanks for reading. Now tell me, what worked for you this year?

Best,

Andrew, Yaya & Boo