These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things: 2019 Edition

⌛ By Kaylin R. Staten ⌛

December is a natural time to reflect on the entire year and what worked and what didn’t really benefit us. Our favorite items have been there throughout all of the noise of the collections of our successes and missteps, our should-have-beens and golden-star moments. 

This could be in the form of that podcast that gives you that extra boost, that double shot of espresso in your dark roast coffee, or that faux-but-realistic succulent plant that *never* dies sitting on your desk. 

These favorites are there for us when we need them on our best and worst of days to improve our productivity and just make life, well, more joyous. 

I wanted to share some life hacks, favorites, and all sorts of fun thoughts swimming around in my head along with that Christmas clutter. Truth be told, 2019 was a rollercoaster year both professionally and personally, and I am READY for a new decade. My fresh start began in September, but who doesn’t want that Roarin’ 20s magic to come around again?

As you know I love A LOT of things. Case in point…Please view this very small selection:

These following 8 things made my headspace a much better place in 2019 (and note: this isn’t a sponsored post -- these are really just things that I love!): 

Hilary Rushford and her Elegant Excellence method/notebook

I am obsessed with Hilary Rushford and her entire aesthetic. I’ve taken her Instagram with Intention course and religiously listen to her “You’re Welcome” podcast. I love her focuses on mental health, her love of France (like me), her vintage-with-a-modern-twist style, and just that she is a lover in general. Seriously, guys, her branding is beautiful. This week is one of my favorite trainings that allowed me to gain so much clarity. It’s called Elegant Excellence, and you can be part of the tribe, too, by signing up for Friday’s webinar. I also seriously cannot wait to have my Elegant Excellence Journal. It was a Christmas present for myself that satisfies my achieving planner heart.

UberEats/DoorDash/Grubhub

Nothing is more satisfying than ordering takeout. I know that is a normal occurrence for some people, but I live outside of the normal food-delivery radius. Now, using any these apps, I can order from my favorite restaurants when my husband and I are too tired (and let’s be honest, lazy) to cook and need a much-needed break. There’s nothing like authentic Mexican food in the comfort of your own office or home.

Trips to NYC, Seattle, and Chicago

In 2019, I visited New York City, Seattle, and Chicago (not to mention a bizcation in Columbus and a wedding anniversary trip in the West Virginia mountains). I love to travel, and if I am home for too long, I get antsy. I love exploring new places, walking throughout neighborhoods, working from anywhere with a wifi connection, buying a new sticker for my suitcase. I really feel like I’m able to be in my element and to recharge when I can get away for a bit. Plus, it rained in Seattle, I drank coffee in a coffee shop like I was on “Frasier,” and we saw the best sunset of my life at the top of the Space Needle. 

Voice Memo Journaling

Because there were times when I didn’t have the heart, energy, and/or time to write the old-fashioned way -- in my journal.

Poetry Prompt Challenges

I came across a poetry prompts journal from Little Infinite Poetry at the end of July. In August, I wrote a poem a day for 31 days -- 31 little glimpses into my life as I turned 31 in August. I have always loved writing poetry, but I’ve been scared to share it with the masses. The thing about your 30s is that you begin to not care as much. Enter my first published piece of poetry from that collection in Harness Magazine: Oh, You Sad Little Girl / Hey, Pretty Lady. 

Five to Thrive -- kinda

I’m going to be really honest here. This year, I read Girl, Wash Your Face and Girl, Stop Apologizing from Rachel Hollis. There are nuggets of inspiration from those books that I used to my benefit, like writing a letter to my tenacity. (Spoiler alert: Turns out, I’m really tenacious.) I’ve listened to the “Rise” podcast and have tried the Five to Thrive method. I actually really like the method, but I am also not the type of person to have to write down my 10 goals every day. I get that repetition is good, but overkill is not. I feel like once you get so popular, you kind of lose that same luster you had before you became a commodity. #sorrynotsorry

My mantras graphic 

I do love me some mantras. Cheesy as that may seem, I keep this mantra graphic that I created on the hutch of my desk. I look at it every day, and quotes resonate with me on different days. It’s a like a mood ring, but with mantras. See below.

Dunkin’ Donuts

There’s nothing like an iced macchiato with vanilla flavoring and lowfat milk. 

+ Seltzer water, kittens, & getting closer to my magnum opus.

Kaylin R. Staten, APR, is an award-winning public relations practitioner and writer based in Huntington, WV with nearly 16 years of professional communications experience. As CEO and founder of Hourglass Media, she uses her compassionate spirit and expertise to delve into the heart of clients’ stories. She is a recovering perfectionist, mental health advocate, wife, cat mom and Leia Organa aficionado. Connect with Kaylin on LinkedIn.