My Top 100 of 2023
The experiences, movies, products, websites, & more that I loved in 2023
I’ve so been looking forward to putting this list together! I was inspired to start noting things for my top 100 after reading Austin Kleon’s books Steal Like An Artist, Show Your Work, and Keep Going in early 2023. He mentioned that he had been keeping a top 100 list every year (here’s his current list), and I thought it sounded like a fun way for me to note delights in my life and to appreciate the big and little things. I kept a journal and also had a top 100 list in my Notes App on my phone. And I have to say, keeping this list over months and months has not only been uplifting for me, but has made me so happy to be able to look back at all the small moments I may have forgotten had they not been written down. I hope you enjoy reading 100 of my favorite things of 2023. I’m separating movies, tv shows, products, apps, podcasts, websites into categories for easier reading- get ready there’s a lot:)
This list is the second end of year exclusive bonus for paid subscribers (my 133 books ranked with star ratings was the first.) If you’d like to check out both posts, consider upgrading to a paid subscription. I appreciate all the support I’ve received for this newsletter, thank you!
Sunset boat rides
Summer nights on the patio with friends and family
Daily walks with my dog Vinny
Walks in nature with silence- no AirPods
Summer nights of corn hole games - I really loved winning:)
Amazing 4th of July fireworks on the lake
Herons
Talking books with my adult son who discovered he loves nonfiction books- his favorite book of the year was Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within by David Goggins
A winter getaway to sunny Cancun, Mexico
Reading on the beach
Family ping pong games with my two sons
I figured out that coffee shop piano slow jazz ASMR on YouTube is so relaxing for me to have on while reading or doing online work
The Storygraph for keeping track of all my reading
Watching movies under a cozy blanket with my cat curled up on me
Morning coffee and watching the sun rise
A relaxing massage
Pedicures (favorite spring/summer color- OPI Koala Berry and fall/winter color Lincoln Park After Dark)
My hummingbird feeders (one hanging and one on the window for close up views) - this was the first year I put out hummingbird feeders and watching the birds enjoy them - while often dive bombing each other- was one of the highlights of my summer
Walking 1,912 miles between Jan 1, 2023 - Dec 31. I basically walked from Columbus, Ohio to Florida and back! I love my daily walking - I walk outside and although I will say it’s much harder to walk in 25 degree weather, I always feel better after I”m done
Audiobooks- I loved them and they continue to enhance my reading life so much- I especially love listening to a good one while organizing things around the house
Starting this Substack newsletter. I was so intimated by the thought of learning a new platform, but I have had the best time creating this newsletter and discovering so many other inspiring newsletters here. I look forward to getting on Substack every single day
Being consistent with my morning journaling practice. Sometimes I also journal at night, it’s one of the best ways I’ve found to empty and calm my mind.
Having in depth life chats with each of my adult sons. It’s often hard to know when to give advice and when to stay quiet with adult children but I have loved having so many life discussions - hard and easy ones- with each of my sons
Dinners out with friends
A solo weekend to Chicago - I took a weekend trip in August to see friends and podcast teammates Tina and her husband Jon. While we do a weekly book podcast together (Book Talk, Etc), we hadn’t seen each other in person in almost 2 years! I stayed in a fantastic downtown hotel, had a walking solo sightseeing day (the weather was sunny and perfect), took the architectural boat tour with Tina and Jon (so fun!), and had dinners out and great conversation with Tina and Jon and their 3 year old daughter joined us one night which was a delight:)
Not reading book reviews until after I finish the book- this made a huge difference in my reading enjoyment and not going into a story with preconceived expectations
Deep Breathing
In person author events - Getting to hear authors speak in person and even getting to meet and talk with them! I went to our first annual Columbus Book festival and met Matthew Quirk and heard him speak about his new book, also met and had books signed by Thao Thai (her book) and Sara Herchenroether (her book), saw VE Schwab (her book) speak in conversation with John Scalzi (his book), and had the most delightful evening with friends at a local Italian restaurant for Prosecco and Prose with author Tim Johnston - getting to ask him specific questions about plot happenings in his new book was the best!
A sunflower field on a fall day
Live bands singing 80s songs
Embracing the winter season- slowing down, getting outside even if it’s cold and snowy, evenings spent under a blanket by the fire reading
Saturdays at the farmer’s market- fresh peaches ❤️
Seeing owls on two separate walks in the woods
Buying fresh flowers for the kitchen- Trader Joe’s Gerbera Daisies make me so happy
Olive oil maple granola - I enjoyed cooking at home more this year than ever!
San Pelligrino sparkling water and fresh line
Hot baths
Products