Thoughts on the Year, Past and Future
In my house growing up, my parents implemented two New Year’s Eve traditions. The first was called The Balloon Pop. It started when we were old enough to recognize New Year’s Eve but too young to stay up until midnight. To commemorate the occasion, we’d blow up a bunch of balloons, suspend them from the ceiling in a tacked-up bedsheet, and then after a countdown, typically around seven p.m., we released the balloons and ran around the basement popping them with thumbtacks for 15 seconds of bliss and chaos.
The second tradition was less loud. Prior to The Balloon Pop, we gathered in the living room to ponder on the past year and tell the family the best and worst things that happened to us, our favorite memories, and the moments we anticipated most in the coming year. Doing this together helped us remember moments we’d forgotten and allowed us to share in the triumphs, agonies, and adventures of the year.
Perhaps because of our New Year’s Eve traditions, I’ve always felt the past year needs a recounting and that the year to come deserves some planning. Let me first start with reflections and goals for this newsletter before sharing a more personal recap of 2022 and goals for 2023.
From the Desk in 2022
Writing this monthly newsletter definitely filled a gap in my life that had been missing for a few years, namely the impetus to write frequently. Gratefully, many of you have been reading along, so it’s not as lonely an exercise as I initially worried. Having even a small audience means a lot. While the writing process itself brings me the most pleasure, getting a DM or a text with your thoughtful responses, suggestions, and critiques is a close second.
I wasn’t sure how the newsletter would be received. The whole venture has some obvious flaws, the biggest being that I write mostly about things I’m interested in, not necessarily what others would be. Some of my posts did very well, others not so much. Writing monthly means there’s no momentum and subscribers get little more than the monthly newsletter in their inbox. I’m aware of all these limitations, but at the moment, I’m at peace with them and appreciate your support.
In case you missed any posts, here were the most-read articles from the past year.
From the Desk in 2023
That said, I do have a handful of new things I’m hoping to try with the newsletter in 2023. The first, which you may have already seen, is a book club, now known by its official name, The Sluggish Scholars Club. 25 people have joined already, and you can join here. Those who have joined already are currently picking three-to-four books to read this year. If you want a say, join now, because the books will be determined by the end of the week.
The second change will be a better publishing schedule. I’ll be releasing my typical monthly post on the first Tuesday of every month. The book club will have an associated monthly post as well that will go out on the third Tuesday of the month. To be frank, the book club will help me find a way to post more often without the pressure of coming up with additional “long” posts like I typically write.
Finally, I’m hoping to feature guest writers on “From the Desk”. My offer to prospective guest writers is this: whether you have a newsletter/blog, are thinking of starting one, or simply have an idea you want to write about and want a little extra reach, please consider writing a post for “From the Desk.” I’ll publish it just like one of my own posts, though you’ll be listed as the author. I’ll also promote it through my social media. Obviously, the benefits are mutual for me. I hope to expose the newsletter to more readers, including your friends and family.
If you’re interested in writing a post, text me, DM me, or email me at mileskfarnsworth@gmail.com.
2022 Goals
I’ve adopted the goal-setting framework of the LDS Youth Program which asks you to set goals in Physical, Spiritual, Intellectual, and Social/Family areas. Coincidentally, this was also the same framework my dad implemented for us as kids when I used to have semi-regular goal-setting conversations with him. This method keeps me focused on well-rounded growth and doesn’t allow me to overextend myself in any one area.
Physical
Run a 10k Race
Do overnight bike-ride on C&O
I’ve never gotten more satisfaction out of running than I did this year. There was a noticeable connection between exercise and mental health. During some runs, I could literally feel the stress sweat off me. While I didn’t run a formal race, I did get back up to running consistent 10ks almost every other week.
Bikepacking was so fun, and I managed to get in two trips this year, one in June from Harper’s Ferry, WV to Mount Vernon, VA, and another in October on the NCR from York, PA to Baltimore, MD.
Spiritual
Read “House of the Lord” by James E. Talmage
Invite a co-worker to attend the Washington D.C. Temple Open House
My mind was on the temple this year with the Washington D.C. Temple, that large, Oz-like structure off the 495 beltway in Maryland, reopening for worship. If you read my book review, you’ll know that I didn’t think very much of Talmage’s book, though I did invite a co-worker to attend the open house.
Intellectual
Write a monthly blog post
50,000 words of a novel
I did not make good progress toward a novel. That continues to elude me both in terms of capability and availability, though as you’ll see, I’m a glutton for failure and have it on my 2023 goals again.
Social/Family
Plan a “guys night”
Plan lots of successful vacations
I’ve made most of my friends in Maryland at Church, and we’re particularly poor at getting together as just a group of guys. In December, I got a group together to play Top Golf.
After limited travel in 2020 and 2021 with COVID and a newborn, 2022 got us back into traveling with trips to Philidelphia, the Chesapeake Bay, Manhattan, Rhode Island, Boston, and of course, the big summer road trip across the country and back with notable stops in Arkansas, St. Louis, South Dakota, and my wife and my childhood homes in Montana and Utah.
2023 Goals
Physical
Multi-night bikepacking trip
Run a half marathon
My physical goals in 2023 are all about building off of my progress in 2022. A multi-night bikepacking trip is the obvious next step. Chances are that will be an 184-mile trip from Cumberland, MD to Washington, D.C., though we may get really ambitious and do the GAP trail + the C&O and go from Pittsburg, PA to Washington, D.C. I’m hoping to run a half marathon with my brother Cole this spring.
Spiritual
Attend the Temple monthly
Hold a weekly “Family Night” with Nelson
Now that the Washington D.C. Temple is open, I have no excuse not to attend more often. Family Night is an LDS tradition where families gather a bit more formally (or at least formally set the time aside) to have a spiritual discussion, play a game, or do anything else together. Nelson’s a bit young, but we need to get in the habit.
Intellectual
Publish my mission memoir book
Complete a draft of fiction novel
Some may be aware that I wrote a 75,000-word memoir of my missionary experience in New Zealand. I basically finished it in early 2021. A small New Zealand publisher is considering it right now, and if that doesn’t come through, I plan to self-publish it as an eBook and make a few print copies for myself, family, and close friends.
And once again, I’ve got a goal to write a fiction novel. We’ll see. In my head, I’ve always been focused on a certain length. This year, I’m going to write without length in mind at all and see where things come out.
Social/Family
Better dates with Mickelle
Make a friend outside of work and church
Mickelle and I have never needed formal relationship goals. We plan well together and consider spending time together our favorite activity. Nevertheless, as Nelson gets older, we’ve been wanting more one-on-one time together, say eating at a nice restaurant or going to a movie theater. This year, I plan to pay for babysitters or trade babysitting duties with other young parents at church.
As for making a friend, I have no clue how I’m going to do this. So much of my social life revolves around church that I don’t feel like I really need more friends. In 2022, someone I didn’t know messaged me on LinkedIn, and we got together for breakfast (thanks Peter!). Maybe I’ll have to take up that strategy.
To the New Year
Along with these goals are all the aspirations and desired goodness that presses on the mind in the new year. To be more kind, to communicate better with friends and family, to temper my language, to have an uncluttered head and physical surroundings. While the goals remain, I easily lose track of the holistic and incremental improvements that feel so accessible in early January.
So here’s to the new year. May it be full of growth, joy, family, friends, health, and good reading.