Mappy December and Merry Christmas!
2023 has been a rollercoaster of a year but there's also a lot to be thankful for. Have a peek at a few of my favorite things of the last 12 months.
Favorite Experiment of 2023 - Morning Light Exposure
My February experiment turned into a happy habit. I traded my typical mornings (checking email and messages in bed) for a bit of fresh air to test Dr. Andrew Huberman’s theory that daylight is the new wonder drug. He’s onto something. I try (and often even succeed!) to get out in the morning and either walk, pull a few weeds out of my tiny garden (when I’m at home) or just stand there letting the sun (or daylight if it’s cloudy) hit my face. This was my best self-care hack of 2023, hands down. It takes only a few minutes, it’s pleasant and I feel the difference in my mood when I stick to it.
Here it is, straight from the horse’s mouth:
“Getting sunlight in your eyes first thing in the morning is absolutely vital to mental and physical health. It is perhaps the most important thing that any and all of us can and should do in order to promote metabolic well-being, the positive function of your hormone system, get your mental health steering in the right direction.
That morning sunlight in your eyes should be a non-negotiable thing 365 days out of the year.”
-Dr. Andrew Huberman
Favorite Trips of 2023 - Mexico, Utah, Big Sur, Denver
Choosing a favorite trip is like picking a favorite child. So, here’s four of them:
Mexico on points! ☀️ 3 weeks, starting with Cabo's sun-kissed beaches and open-bar cruises (don’t ask!), then onto Mexico City’s bustling streets, ancient pyramids, and great museums, a perfect backdrop for catching up with Paul, our dear Austrian friend. Final stop: Merida's colorful houses and more 1500-year-old pyramids just strewn about the jungle. Blog post coming soon!
Alila Ventana Hotel in Big Sur was a destination in itself, an all-inclusive haven surrounded by redwood forest, where the Pacific Ocean stretched as far as the eye could see, with lush food and gracious people.
Kanab, Utah, in February and blanketed in snow, provided a different kind of solace as we cuddled up with four furry friends at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
And then there was Denver, where the Psychedelic Science conference brought together 12,000 psychonauts and thinkers with curiosity in their eyes, a flicker of hope for a kinder future, and a sense of belonging that transcended all borders and boundaries.
Instead of souvenirs, I collect memories of people. Paul and the hubby - their laughter echoing off the ancient pyramids, Katie in Ventana handing me a strawberry she just picked, warm hugs from my fellow PS23 conference volunteers, or young Gabriel showing us an unexplored cenote in Yucatan. I feel so grateful for all these beautiful souls!
Favorite Money Moves of 2023 - Chase $400 Referral bonus and Wealthfront 5.5% APY
Wealthfront is still offering a 5.5% APY Cash Account, a kind of cross between a checking and savings account for 3 months (5% afterwards) if you sign up through a referral link, like this one. Once you open your account, you can generate your own referral links and extend the boost.
I maxed out my referrals (you get 2 every 6 months for Wealthfront and 5 every year for Chase Ink) but you can still use my link to get the benefit (for American citizens and residents only, sorry world).
Chase is still giving out the crazy 40.000 point bonus for referring another person (up to 5 people) for a Chase Ink business credit card. You can use the bonus for travel or redeem it for a $400 statement credit. If you have any Chase Ink cards, do some referring!
Here’s a quick note on how to get a business credit card if you don’t officially own a business.
Favorite Books and Films of the Year
Richard Osman’s series feels like a fuzzy hug (this year I read the #3 and 4), and David Sedaris always makes me laugh out loud in public.
Rick Rubin, the legendary producer, invites you to really see the world, play with ideas, and make art a constant, messy, fun practice.
Chris Guillebeau talks about the wacky new ways people make money in today’s world.
Will Guidara took over a restaurant and made it the #1 in the world by motivating his staff to commit unreasonable acts of kindness.
Outlive by Peter Attia is a cheat sheet for extending your healthspan and making your body run smoothly for as long as possible.
The Way of the Psychonaut is Stan Grof’s magnum opus. The astounding depth of this man’s knowledge of psychedelics and psychology shows a lifetime poured into unlocking the mysteries of the mind and spirit.
Designing Your Life is based on the hugely popular Stanford course, in which Burnett and Evans teach how to apply design thinking to create the life you want.
The definitive edition of Ann Frank’s diary - The Diary of a Young Girl includes pages that her father deemed inappropriate for publishing. She explores her sexuality and gives an honest glimpse into her parents’ “tepid” marriage.
Mark was expecting, knowing Sylvia Palth's history, The Bell Jar to be a downer but found it sarcastically funny, charming, and still relevant.
In Caste, Isabel Wilkerson talks about the hidden structures that quietly shape our lives through the 3 deep-rooted caste systems (India, the US, and the Nazis). She makes you face your biases and take a deeper look at who you truly are.
Favorite Travel Accessories
I love this travel pillow. It folds small, it weighs close to nothing, I can inflate it with three breaths, and the plush cover is washable.
After years of using the regular type, I just discovered compression packing cubes. This little beast contains my entire 3-week Mexico trip wardrobe and seems nice and sturdy so far.
My favorite minimalist writing gear for shorter trips - my phone, stand, and foldable keyboard.
So there you have it. Thank you for being here ❤. Now, how about you tell me about your favorite things? Either comment below or reply to this email.
Wishing you a lovely start to 2024, see you in January!
Be Mappy,
Mags