THE BEAUTY OF SLOW CHANGE
Let's focus on small improvements this year, shall we?
Oh Hi! New Year, New You!! Well…kind of?
Why don’t resolutions work? Although they’re made with good intentions, too often they’re extreme, often fantastical, and too big of a shift from our current lives. We are toxic and burned out after the holidays, and in that state we look for total life change. By week three, if we start to fall off a little bit (because, let’s face it, we’re human), that motivation transforms to self-judgement and those resolutions start to slip away. Before the end of January, those positive visions of daily food prep, journaling, strength training regimen, and “phone only until 8 p.m.” glory have gone out the door.
This year I’m going for a different approach: What are some consistent, small modifications I can make to my day to day that will improve my sense of well-being? What are some bad habits that I’ve carried for too long that I want to dismiss…and how do I want to feel at the end of 2024?
With that in mind, here are my hopefully achievable goals for this year.
Learn something new.
Prioritize my health.
Sleep more.
Focus on longevity.
Read one book per month (even if it’s a short one).
Write more.
Some of these goals I’ve already started to chip away at, and others are works in progress. But I’m all in for small change in 2024.
I decided that I want to learn something new this year that will make me uncomfortable and potentially open up an avenue that I haven’t explored.
This is big.
I’m learning how to swim.
“You don’t know how to swim?!” Nope. Growing up in San Francisco, only the very wealthy had pools, and the ocean is freezing there. So, I don’t know, it just never happened for me. I’ve enthusiastically embraced “pool time” my whole life, which means a chaise lounge and an issue of Vanity Fair or a relaxing floaty device cradling me on a swimming pool. I also love snorkeling while on vacation and just use a child’s large floaty vest…in hindsight that optic is probably a bit comical!
I’ve started taking swim classes at my Equinox every Saturday morning. It’s humbling and uncomfortable and providing exactly what I craved when I set out to learn something new. My teacher says learning to swim will change my life…big words, Katie, big words.
Just call me NYAD, Gang.
I’m two classes down and dedicated to one class a week for the rest of the year. Small changes in action. Good for me!
If you look at just about any serious study, like this one from Harvard Medical School, the evidence is in: When it comes to physical movement, walking is where it’s at. Counteracts weight-promoting genes? Check. Boosts immunity? Check. Improves flexibility? Check. Our friends over at Harvard even say that walking helps to counteract a sweet tooth. But, obvi, sweets are really good for you.
I feel like we all come up with these lofty fitness goals at the beginning of the year, often throwing a lot of money and time into the newest boutique class or a shiny new Peloton, only to lose motivation and drop off. If this year is all about embracing small change and avoiding extremes, then longer and more regular walks, my friends, are where I’ll be putting my energy in 2024. And speaking of friends, how about a walking date, or better yet, a walking MEETING?! Moving your body in sync with someone you’re working on a collab with is shockingly productive.
Year three on this train and I’m not getting off anytime soon. It’s wild, so many people are doing Dry January. I’m enjoying it so much…so much so that this might go for two months. The only drawback is my concern for friends who own bars or restaurants, since the wellspring of dry January participants is so robust this year.
Here I am at the ripe age of 53 and I’ve found my body has some not-so-positive responses to alcohol. Sleep is consistently disrupted from just one glass of wine, and my memory and radiant skin certainly feel the ill effects — but on the flip side, I really enjoy beverages with a kick. So this isn’t forever, but the pause feels very correct.
Are you on the Dry January train or considering drinking less this year? Here are some delightful cocktail recipes that are delicious and celebratory.
Ghia Ginger - I’m obsessed with the depth of flavor in the nonalcoholic base spirit Ghia. This cocktail, which pairs it with ginger beer, has a nice, refreshing kick to it.
Spicy Citrus Refresher - Use all of that good good in-season citrus to make this thirst-quencher that gets a little heat from jalapeño.
Dirty Lemon Tonic - Hello, martini substitute. This number from the New York Times uses both preserved lemons and green olives.
One late evening during the peak of our holiday rush, a member of our shipping team was building out boxes for the next day’s deliveries. I congratulated him on his foresight on the next day’s tasks and he replied, “I’m just taking care of my future self.” I was moved by the phrase and asked him where he heard it. Apparently it was something he just started saying as a child.
Can you imagine hearing those words from a child? Sage, baby! I’ve now adopted this phrase, and with this new year can’t stop thinking about how it applies to longevity and wellness. Care for yourself with an eye for the future, in all things, really: fiscally, emotionally, physically, professionally.
It’s a universal mantra, if you will. So how can I take care of my future self?
Beef up that retirement account. With two kids and a small business, retirement savings can be an afterthought. But this will be the year I pay closer attention.
Laugh and spend time with friends. There’s no greater stress relief. While I often make time for work events, 2024 will see me making more time for my friends, too.
Work less (a hard one for business owners). Whether it’s taking a literal pause at my favorite float studio, Pause, or carving out more time for the kids, I’m going to prioritize myself AND work…as much as I can.
Walking! See above.
This one is definitely one of my loftier goals, but it can be a novella, right? If you’re looking for some 2024 inspiration, here are a couple of health and wellness-related suggestions to get your reading habit going.
Atomic Habits - Yes, it’s been on the New York Times bestseller list forever, and I’m far from first on this bandwagon, but there are some excellent nuggets in here.
Clean - My go-to book on all things related to detoxing.
The Longevity Diet - A guide to eating well, with our future selves in mind.
The Galveston Diet - A great guide for ladies dealing with perimenopause and menopause.
I’m excited to introduce a new monthly section of Hi Gang, where I’ll spotlight a seasonal ingredient and share my favorite way to use it. Welcome to Cook Now!
First up: chicories.
Is it a flower or a lettuce? Somewhere in between, it seems. But the rosa radicchio is one of the most gorgeous sights on a plate. I eat chicories on repeat all winter long with the same basic formula. Add a fruit, which can be apple, citrus in any form, pear, pomegranate seeds, a firm fuyu persimmon or a combination; a bit of grated firm cheese (aged cheddar, parmesan, that sort of thing); and a crunchy bit like seeds, nuts, or croutons. Add a protein for a full meal or serve as a side. Love it!
My dressing is a funny mash-up of different dressings I’ve adopted over the years: 3-4 anchovy filets, smashed. Grab your favorite whisk and stream in 1/3 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, and some Kosher salt to taste. Now you’re living!
Here’s that formula again:
***feeds four with leftovers
2 head radicchio
2 fruit
1/2 cup seeds or nuts or 1 cup croutons
2 oz firm cheese, grated fine and cloudy
Dressing (see above)
Another monthly column!
Oh hey! My friend Dana Cowin launched a new cohort Progressive Hedonist…Dana is one of those people who I’m able to explore topics with in complete candor, which is such a gift.
I’m not great with sustainability. I try to keep my plastic use low, and sure I recycle, but on a scale of 1-10 I’m embarrassed to say I’m probably a 3. I waste too much food because I’m a slave to my palate’s whimsy, frequently ordering more food that I know I’ll consume, just to taste. (You food professionals out there are nodding right now.)
I’m often intimidated or overwhelmed(?) by the concept of being waste-free and removing all plastics (although I know that’s what the world needs), so I’m taking small steps. First up?
Ziplock bags, I’m breaking up with you.
Each month you’ll see a sustainable suggestion, something I’ve integrated into either my personal life, business, or both that might click for some of the Gang and will attempt to replicate that same candor that I share with Dana here.
A few great Companies offering solutions for food storage:
2024! I see you.
Gang, please reach out if there is something you’d like to see this year in Hi Gang. There are plans for more content with saucy bells and whistles.
OH! P.S….I just launched on TikTok. Please follow.