a rebellious little list of good things

I spent the last two weeks of the year wrestling — I mean, scrappy, no-holds-barred wrestling to the ground — with how I wanted my coming year to be structured. I’ve been in a place where big projects came to a close at the end of 2022, leaving me with an intimidatingly wide open space, full of potential for 2023. It sounds lovely, but honestly, it was overwhelming, and despite doing all the things — taking time off, resting, shutting off the computer and going completely analogue — I couldn’t figure out how I wanted to tackle all this newfound freedom for the year.

Turns out it took starting the year in earnest, and several walks around the neighbourhood for breaks, and suddenly, today, everything feels clear. Hallelujah.

So that’s how I ended my week! Here’s a little list of lovely things to end yours:

Jason Kottke shared 36 things he learned in 2022 — and now you’re all the wiser. (Who knew there was a species of fish called “boops boops”?)

• Want more? Kent Hendricks shared 52 things he learned in 2022. Now you’re even wiser! (Who knew a third of American men claim to be six feet or taller, when in fact only 14.5% are?)

• One more hopeful and joyful look back at 2022 — some lovely images of radiant rebels all up and through here.

• I was intrigued by this indigenous Maya-speaker’s first-person reaction to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Representation matters, baby.

• And finally, I loved this obituary for designer Vivienne Westwood. Fun fact: I used to live a block away from her famous atelier in London. Talk about a radiant rebel. May her memory remain an inspiration.