🗓️ End of Year Favorites (2022)

005 - Some of my favorite things from this year

Hey friends! 👋🏻

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season surrounded by their loved ones! I can't believe 2023 is right around the corner. It's crazy to think how fast life moves. There's just a certain impermanence or ephemerality to everything. Comings and goings, if you will. From time to time, you have to remind yourself to slow down and enjoy the little things.

I almost skipped this month's issue as I felt like I didn't have much to share or talk about. But I made a promise in my first issue that I'd publish a monthly issue so now I'm scrambling to put something together and get it out before the clock strikes midnight.

As 2022 comes to an end, I figured I’d share some of my favorite things from this year and make this a yearly thing moving forward.

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Apps

iA Writer
My go-to writing app with a simple interface that allows me to focus on what I'm writing. It really makes writing feel like such a delightful experience compared to using something like Google Docs.

Raycast
Raycast has replaced my Macbook's default Spotlight feature. I love how it integrates with other apps I use like Things and Spotify. It has an expansive feature set and I hope they will work on a Windows version soon.

Readwise
As I have started to read more on my Kindle, Readwise automatically consolidates all my highlights and re-surfaces them in a daily email. A total game-changer when it comes to remembering important information from non-fiction books I’ve read. 

Film, Book, Podcast

Top Gun: Maverick
Definitely my favorite film of the year. Brilliant story-telling and cinematography. It's a film that hits all the different emotions. It’s a shame I didn’t get to watch it in IMAX.

Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making
Tony Fadell worked on products like the iPod and iPhone at Apple as well as co-founded Nest. The book contains various stories and learnings he had throughout his career.

Huberman Lab Podcast
I always look forward to new episodes of the Huberman Lab Podcast as I never fail to learn something new about neuroscience and human behavior. Huberman breaks down complex scientific concepts in a way that’s easy to follow.

Products

Weighted Blanket
I started using a weighted blanket recently and I have noticed myself falling asleep much faster at night. The pressure from the blanket creates a calm and comforting state. I don't know really know how else to describe it. Don't knock it till you try it.

Brüush Toothbrush
Just an all-around solid electric toothbrush with a built-in timer, 6 unique cleaning modes, and a 4-week battery life. It comes with a straightforward subscription refill plan where they send you 3 new brush heads every 6 months.

Logitech MX Master 3S
I've always seen this mouse being raved about on YouTube and I finally got one this year. The ergonomics of the mouse feel comfortable all day long. I customized the individual buttons and certain gestures for the different apps I use.

As always, thanks for reading, and happy new year!

Austin