12 Comments

Woah you have been THROUGH IT in 2023. What a wild year to look back on. Hoping you're going to get more highs in 2024 and looking forward to reading 51 more updates this year :)

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Thanks, Becky! Much appreciated. :)

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Despite everything you've been through, it looks like you've made it through, and I think that is a good enough reason to celebrate.

Here's another quote that might help you. I don't know who said it, and I am paraphrasing it - "Everything in life is either a good time or a good story".

I have a feeling that the quote about the crack being where light gets in is also in "All The Light We Cannot See"... (my fav book recommendation from you)

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So true, Ishan! I wrote about this in my 100th edition (‘The Big 100’): https://alexandraallen.substack.com/p/the-big-100-embrace-being-bad

I explained how pain points became some of my best writing prompts.

And I’m so glad you love that book as much as I do. Agreed, it has a similar message to that quote.

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Ah the rollercoaster of life! I do a personal journal entry every 60 days, and seeing the ups and downs of life in a summary like that can be really be illuminating. Glad to hear you're off to a great start in 2024. I look forward to your continued weekly newsletters!

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Thanks so much, James! Appreciate all your support and admire how good you are at keeping on top of everyone’s posts and adding thoughtful comments to push ideas along. I hope to do more of that in 2024 but am avoiding setting a goal for obvious reasons 😂.

Love the 60-day reflection prompt. I’ve heard cases for 30 and 90 day ones so it’s intriguing.

Someone mentioned recently that when you do these periodic reflections, you take the pressure off doing an annual once since by then you’re not starting from scratch or likely to be surprised by anything. I definitely feel that as someone who reflects often.

Cheers to another year on the 🎢

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Happy New Year, Alexandra. Congrats on where you are now, where you’re going, and how you got here.

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Thank you, Simone! Grateful for your support and encouragement these past couple of years. Not to mention the inspiration of seeing your newsletter hit my inbox each week. ♥️

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Love that Brene Brown quote. I find that telling my story often winds up being how I create my own survival guide. It's amazing how often I forget what I've gone through. Storytelling helps me reflect on what I've learned, better retain it, and apply it next time.

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That’s awesome, Rick! Reflection is at the heart of everything and we’re lucky to have you charting new paths and encouraging people as they walk them behind you.

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Your newsletter was very insightful and interesting. I saw myself in your situation. Made me realize that you can make a bad mistake but that doesn’t define you as a bad person. Life is tough, but we have to be tougher. Like you, quotes help me get through tough times. One of my favourites is …… happiness isn’t getting what you like, but liking what you get.

Wishing you a successful, safe, healthy and happy 2024.

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Love that quote, Mary Lou, and as I’ve said many times, I admire your optimism despite all the hardships you’ve had to overcome. You’re an inspiration to make the most of the hand you’re dealt. ♥️

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