As 2023 comes to a close, I wanted to wrap it up with a special edition of The Weekly Page, to recap some of the year’s best content and share a few resources to help you start 2024 feeling focused and refreshed.
But first, an announcement 📣 I’m making all my writing on Substack free and open to all. 🎁 This is something that has been on my mind for a while, as I grappled with the ethics of paywalls and what felt right for me (and, honestly, figured out how Substack worked when it came to free/paywalled content).
Ultimately, I believe in an internet that allows the free flow of information. Where we can exchange ideas, learn, and collaborate with each other. While I believe in being paid for my work, I also believe in accessibility and that everything we create doesn’t need to be commodified. My hope is that if you are able to become a paid subscriber, you will do so because you want to support my work — and you’ll appreciate knowing that your $4 a month helps people who can’t afford a paid subscription access the same information.
So, moving forward, all my writing will be free. What will remain paywalled will be:
📊 Some downloads (like spreadsheets or eBooks)
✍🏻 Some personal essays and life updates
💻 Live events (like Monthly Review Days and Book Clubs)
Paid subscriptions will help support the creation of those paid-only resources, as well as content that everyone can access. If you are a paid subscriber or choose to become one just know that I appreciate you BEYOND words.
This feels much better in my heart and soul and I hope you agree! Keep on scrollin’ for my end-of-year recaps and 2024 resources.
💦 Weekly Hydration Tracker
If you only have the time, energy, or resources to improve one area of your health this year: start with hydration.
It’s affordable, you don’t need any equipment, and you can start right now. Try simply drinking a little more water today than you did yesterday, and integrate more plants into the meals you are already eating and enjoying. If you want to track your progress, try my weekly hydration tracker:
🥗Recipes from 2023
Grilled Skirt Steak with Lemon Herb Couscous
Holiday Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Pumpkin Whipped Feta Dip
Chili Crisp Noodles
Brown Sugar Maple Pumpkin Butter Bars
Spicy Miso and Carrot Soup
Shrimp Scampi with Tomatoes and Corn
Spicy Butternut Squash Pasta with Spinach
Salted Caramel Apple Galette
Roasted Tomato Tart with Ricotta and Pesto
Pecorino Garlic Potatoes over Harissa Mayo
Grilled Nectarine Burrata Prosciutto Salad
Fried Pickle Ranch Dip
Basil Chicken in Coconut Curry Sauce
Shrimp Rice Bowls with Spicy Mayo
Chicken Caesar Pasta Bowls
Mediterranean Steak Bowls
White Chicken Chili
Grapefruit + Thyme Mocktail
📅 2024 Portrait Planning Calendars
Download this simple, minimalist calendar design for all 12 months with either Monday or Sunday start options. You can print them, or use them digitally in apps like Goodnotes or Penly:
📆 2024 Landscape Planning Calendars
Download this simple, minimalist calendar design for all 12 months with either Monday or Sunday start options. You can print them, or use them digitally in apps like Goodnotes or Penly:
📚Books from 2023
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan
Quarterlife by
The Undertow by Jeff Sharlet
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Gentle Nutrition by Rachael Hartley
Shotgun Lovesongs by Nicolas Butler
Breath by James Nestor
The Baby Decision by Merle Bombardieri
The Nordic Theory of Everything by Anu Partanen
They Knew by
How Minds Change by
Hey, Hun by Emily Lynn Paulson
You or Someone You Love by Hannah Matthews
The Wellness Trap by Christy Harrison
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
✍🏻 Top 5 2023 Posts
5 Truths about Moving Abroad 🌍: My experience after 5 years living in Denmark.
Aligning Productivity with Cycle Phases ✨: Understanding how your hormones impact your focus, creativity, and motivation.
The $3 Skincare Product I Swear By 🤯: Bet you can’t guess what $3 product I smear on my face every night.
Living in a COVID World 🦠: The precautions I continue to take and the research I’m watching.
Four Methods for Habit Formation 🧠: Easy ways to support your brain in developing new habits.
🙋🏻♀️What do you want more of in 2024? There are so many things I’m craving — more authenticity, more connection, and more learning. If I had to sum it up in an image, I’m hoping for more moments like this:
My camera roll is full of photos like this over the years — moments I quickly captured so I wouldn’t forget them. Sitting in a peaceful spot with a good book and the best dog…and I’m hoping I get more of these in the new year.
What do you want more of in 2024?! Share it in the comments below (click on the 💬 icon if you’re in email).
Very commendable!
Hi Dani, I'm new to your community (the last month or so). Recently I've seen several writers decide to remove their paywalls and shift the dynamic with their readers. It's a huge leap and I admire your willingness to trust your intuition (and your readership!) and lead with your values. I'm launching my own substack soon and I've struggled with the same: I want to write because I have things to say and my hope is that others find value in what I create. But putting a monetary value on my writing before it's even out in the world and building community/relationship with readers that is rooted first in money feels...off. Anyway--thank you for leading the way. It's very inspiring. Happy new year! xx