Happy New Year! Your January Care Package Has Arrived 🎁
A Little Something to Start the Year Right + A Joyful Reflection Exercise
Happy New Year, caring people!
Looking back on a year of Substacking and at the snow outside my window, I feel warm, cozy, and grateful.
I’ve really enjoyed writing and publishing consistently. I’ve also gained subscribers steadily while barely losing any.
Thank you for sticking around while I figure out what Substack means to me (casual newsletter? serious publication? or just a very elaborate way to overshare?) and explore my writing topics: fictional short stories, personal essays on heavy-but-important topics, like my experience as a refugee, deep dives into tech, unsolicited thoughts on art and theater, and whatever else pops into my brain at 2 a.m. when I can’t sleep.
As a thank you, I've put together a Care Package! Here's what's inside:
Joyful Reads
Joyful Words
Joyful Watches
Joyful Listens
Joyful Purchases
Joyful Community Moments
Joyful Photos
I hope it brings you a few smiles and proves useful.
Note: For the best experience, read my posts on the free Substack app or in a web browser rather than via email…and to gift me the best experience, you should like the post, comment, and share to a friend that brings you joy!
2024's Most Joyful Reads:
All Systems Red by Martha Wells ✨
Fantasy! Quick read about a robot’s search for joy. I laughed a lot!
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
Fantasy! Witches! Libraries! A hot romance! (A small but satisfying amount of) smut!
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe ✨
Margo got money troubles, and got bigger troubles, but finds a lot of joy in her adventures to fix her money troubles.
What were your joyful reads of 2024? Comment below to recommend!
2024's Most Joyful Words:
These words describe negative things, but their pleasant and fun sound makes them feel more positive than their actual meaning:
1. Consternation (ˌkän-stər-ˈnā-shən)
noun
A feeling of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected.
Example:
When the book club veered off-topic for the fifth time to yap about their ex-boyfriends instead of discussing All Fours, Katya sat in consternation, wondering how they’d ever get back on track—or if she should just call it a therapy session and pass around the wine. (I am super excited for All Fours Galentine book club!)
2. Curmudgeon (kər-ˈmə-jən)
noun
A bad-tempered or cranky person, often amusingly so.
Example:
Katya knew the old man at the Sunday jazz session was a total curmudgeon when he yelled, "No requests!" and then proceeded to play the happiest version of “Autumn Leaves” anyone had ever heard. (I can listen to Autumn Leaves all night!)
3. Stentorian (sten-ˈtȯr-ē-ən)
adjective
Extremely loud and powerful in sound.
Example:
Katya’s sister, blessed with a stentorian voice, couldn’t hold back during Wicked. When “Defying Gravity” began, she rose from her seat in the theater and belted out the entire song with such force that the audience erupted into applause—except for the guy in the front row, who muttered, “This isn’t karaoke night.” (Not a true story! I’d kill her myself!)
4. Slovenly (ˈslə-vən-lē)
adjective
Messy and dirty, especially in appearance or habits; carelessly disorganized.
Example:
Katya glanced at her reflection after a long walk through Central Park and realized her curls had transformed into a slovenly poof of frizz, resembling a chaotic halo. "I was going for romantic curls, not ‘escaped from the wilderness,’” she muttered, reaching for her emergency hair tie. (Slovenly is a much kinder sounding word than messy!)
Have you come across any words you’ve particularly enjoyed recently? Share them in the comments below!
2024's Most Joyful Watches:
Trying on Apple TV is a funny sitcom about people trying to adapt kids. Joyful for three seasons! Makes you believe in love and things working out.
Shrinking on Apple TV brings me so much joy—it's the most joyful show that handles grief and therapy well. (It also touches extremely serious topics that make me sob at least once per season, so proceed with caution if you're seeking pure joy.) Season 2 is out now!
Abbott Elementary on Hulu has a 4th season out now! You probably already heard of it, but if you haven’t, it’s a really cute sitcom about teachers trying their best. Comparable to Office, Parks & Rec.
English Teacher on Hulu is a delightful sitcom about a gay messy high school teacher. Feels very modern and refreshing.
Only Murders in the Building on Hulu is very joyful if you enjoy murder mysteries that make you chuckle. I watch religiously.
What were your joyful TV watches of 2024? How about movies?
Comment below to recommend!
2024’s Most Joyful Listens
Below is the playlist our community put together in 2024!
Give it a listen on Spotify or Apple Music. Should we add anything? Comment below!
2024’s Most Joyful Purchases (Big and small)
Since I get anxious about spending money, I've created a list of worthwhile 2024 purchases that brought me joy:
Working with a personal trainer is a luxury I deeply cherish—she makes me laugh, listens to my complaints, and helps me build muscle. While it's my biggest expense after rent, it's also my most reliable source of weekly joy. Feel free to message me if you'd like to hear more about my personal training experience!
Kiely's craft club was another recurring investment I made in 2024, although cheaper per hour, that helped me make friends, maintain my crafting goals, and support an awesome person.
After my Polaroids kept falling off the fridge whenever I opened the door, I bought Klimt magnets—now they hold my photos securely while delighting me with their lovely ladies and flowers! They also compliment the other magnets my friends bought for me (I just have so many photos, I needed more magnets!)
A new air conditioner that's quieter, cleaner, cuter, and can be controlled remotely.
My athletic wear that makes me feel confident — I find so much more joy working out in clothes I feel attractive in.
The sleeping kit from one of my favorite clients—it works! I can't believe it. My skin feels soft afterward and I fall asleep faster. Message me for a referral discount!
Dr. Scholl’s Advanced Diabetic Blisterguard Non-Binding Cushioned Comfort Socks saved me from blisters on many long joyful walks and dances.
My new toy—smart glasses! Having needed new glasses urgently, and harboring lifelong spy aspirations, this purchase was perfect. More on this later.
I bought lots of Terra books to donate to Little Free Libraries. Every time I spot Terra books anywhere in the real world, I feel like a real author experiencing genuine joy.
I have no regrets about buying other people’s books—I love supporting writers, plus I got many free books from stoops, book swaps, or gifted by friends.
In short, I invested in sleep, exercise, art, literature, and comfort—with zero regrets. I plan to continue these investments in 2025, plus add new ones to advance my career and explore dating!
I save much more than I spend, and anyone who knows me personally knows that my favorite thing is anything free. About 80% of what I own is secondhand, while 20% consists of purchases. With that balance, the 20% needs to be highly curated—things that truly bring me joy. I believe in investing in joy (and not just in what’s popular or what others have).
What were your favorite 2024 purchases? What brought you joy? What might bring me joy? Comment below!
2024’s Most Joyful Photos
2024’s Most Joyful Moments (Chronological Order)
see if you are mentioned!
Stephanie and I visiting the Matisse, Derain, and the Origins of Fauvism exhibit
January Book Club featuring Fairy Cards!
Playing in the snow with Vic
Olive's birthday dinner—she took a great photo of me
Kacie's birthday party and all her shows in 2024
Galentine's Day sushi with Kiely and Sara. They nicely gave me the points!
Jordan's book reading with Anya and Alina
Women's Day celebration—sharing good food and drawing portraits
Tiffany's birthday featuring black caviar shots
Stephanie and I at the Affordable Art Fair (thanks to Devon)
Matthew inviting me to Hell's Kitchen: The Musical—I loved it! So NYC!
My fantastic 30th birthday week with everyone who loves me
Kiely's many official and unofficial craft clubs
Rachel performing at a cool venue, plus karaoke with Stephanie
Kasia and I in Miami—jazz, beach, ceviche!
Many delicious dinners and chats with Alexa
Sunday garden sessions—reading, writing, drawing with everyone, James bringing the first wine I enjoyed in a while
Courtney hosting book club and handing out bags like a stylish Santa Claus
Everything fashion with Alexa & Courtney & Tiffany
Jenn visiting and photographing absolutely everything
Long life-affirming phone calls with Helen
Reading Terra the Turtle books to Stephanie's pre-k class, followed by Museum Mile
Sushi and Pinkberry with Tiffany, helping her pack (really her gifting me things)
Summer waterfall road trips with family
Golfing and laughing like maniacs with Clara
Tulin's Central Park adventure day—she saved my mood that day
So many wonderful reading events
US Open with Clara, followed by afterparty at Julia and Allison's
Living with Tiffany at her new house!
James and Liam's great parties—always keeping us well-fed
Lovely, intimate book club lunches and dinners
Vegan sushi and Escape Room with Matthew
Halloween at my house with many wonderful visitors
Fun times at Sunday Jazz with my uptown friend group and downtown friend group (I like men who wear Abercrombie & Fitch)
Meeting interesting people at Maxwell Social, thanks to Kim
AMNH talk with Emma about Woolly Dogs
Sara & Kiely & Ally inviting me to see Anora and bringing me snacks
Meeting Alexa's bunny—love at first sight
Fall's dance party and Debbie saving our lives
Stephanie's holiday concert, yummy dinner, and party-hopping with Liv and Emma
Kacie's festive show at a highly festive venue
Rachel's performance at Radio City after surprisingly good pizza with Tiffany
Have I missed something you remember? Comment and let me know!
If you're not mentioned here, you have a new goal for 2025! Let's create more joyful experiences together—whether in person or virtually!
Last Year’s Reflections
I'll write something similar once I have time for reflection this January. Right now I'm swamped, and during busy times I can only manage lists and photos.
2024 Reflections & 2025 Joy Map
Last year, many of you participated in our exercise reflecting on 2023 and mapping out joyful moments you hoped to experience in 2024. The feedback was so positive, and so many of the manifestations came true, that I'm offering this wonderful exercise again:
2024 Reflections & 2025 Joy Map
I'll personally email everyone who completed the 2024 exercise this January to reflect together on how 2024 unfolded.
If you participate this year, I'll send you a quick thank you soon and a longer email this time next year!
Comment if you participated in the exercise and enjoyed it!
Thank you again for being part of this joyful community. I hope this care package brought a smile to your face and a spark of inspiration as you step into 2025. Let’s make it a year full of memorable moments and meaningful connections.
Wishing you peace, joy, and adventure!
With care,
Katya
P.S. Don’t forget to share your reflections and joys in the exercise—having these discussions with you is the best part of this journey! Comment when you do!
The wim wenders film Perfect Days! Main character is a toilet cleaner, it was originally supposed to be a shorty promo for the toilets because they are such beautiful toilets
This brought me lots of joy today! Thank you!🌻