24 Comments

That was a great guest post and, as usual, this one is a great read. Wishing you, Bryan and your family a great and much calmer/easier 2024 ❤️

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Thank you, Rocco!

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Inspiring and revealing read!

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Thank you!

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Keeping goals modest. Although I am outwardly medium-sized I have just been informed that my internal organs are swaddled in fat...the ole viscera needs a little paring-down. Seems doable! Also trying to be more gracious and open-minded with other people. We'll see how far I get.

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Gracious and open minded! I like that. Definitely not my default way.

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I love that you saved your life goals from 1993.

Where was that pic taken? Gorgeous view. Family home or Airbnb?

My goal/intention/resolution/whatever is to finish my novel. Other than that it’s the usual personal growth and development stuff.

Lovely post.

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We stayed in an AirBNB outside of Olympia on the Hammersley Inlet. It was a gorgeous home on 5 acres with kayaks, a fire pit, etc. Def want to head back in warmer weather. In a previous year Bryan and I stayed in a little cabin on the Henderson Inlet in the same area. It's just so beautiful down there along the water.

I hope to finish my memoir this year! Aiming to complete my first draft by the end of March so I can workshop it at an April writing retreat.

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All fab!! 🥰🙏

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First, let me echo Rocco’s sentiments and wish the 2 of you a nice, easy 2024!

1993 Kevin wouldn’t put together a list anywhere near that coherent/cohesive. It would’ve said something like “go to more shows.”

For NYE, I watched a Bond movie with Gizmo and was in bed by, I think 8:30? Fast livin’ for sure. My goal/mantra/whatever for this year is “just book the trip.” Day trips, big trips, whatever.

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Thank you, Kevin!

I love Bond movies. And I love the "just book the trip" mindset for this year! I'm kind of feeling the same way. We are planning to revisit the NY trip possibility, plus I'd love to do a road trip.

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I'm so jealous that you have your goals from 21-year-old you! I wish I still had a similar document (crayon and all) from my past. That's why I always save my journals now.

Three cheers for community!!

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I was so excited to find it, but frankly not surprised. I tend to hang on to sentimentals forever. I have an entire tub filled with letters people wrote to me when I moved away to college, and then to NY when I was in my 20s! I've complained about lugging that stuff around from house to house, but now that I'm writing a memoir they will come in handy!

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I'm not sentimental at all in the moment and always get rid of everything...then regret it 20 years later. No memoir for me :(

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Damn! I'm impressed by the 21-year-old you (and how you still have things from back then and can find them). But more, I'm impressed at the 4-tier marriage plan you and Bryan actively work toward. I can't help but compare it to my 0-tier plan. Or 1-tier: flail wildly and see what sticks. I like how organized and intentional your two are! Inspiring.

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Thank you! But honestly... it was not a glamorous process at first. In the early days, it took forever because of fighting about how to do it, and then fighting about our priorities LOL. I have to give Bryan credit for being the person in our relationship who initiates planning and basic life maintenance routines. I'm a hot mess of spontaneity and free spirit energy. I'm only able to write about it now because we've worked through all the kinks.

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Jan 5Liked by Jen Zug

I see you listed twice, “Mentor others.” 😉😍🎉

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Jan 5Liked by Jen Zug

Also: Happy New Year! Wishing you & your family a healthy and rewarding year!

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Thank you! Happy New Year to you and yours!

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haha this is true as well. :)

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I love how much compassion you have for your younger self! Also, $450 a month?!!!!😮

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full disclosure i have not read the entire email but wow do i love what you did there ~~ the time travel, the self love, the kind + elegant update. so smart + great. thank you for sharing.

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Jen, what a brilliant post about an incredible find! 🙌

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This is so incredible and I bet it was so affirming both of the progress yu have made in 30 years plus the sense that our newly minted, independent adults might have a better sense broadly of who they are and who they want to be. And while the details might not end up exactly as they currently are planning, years from now they can look back and see the tread of that lifetime passion woven through it all. Good stuff v

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