By: Gabriela Yareliz
It’s cold and gray out here in NYC. Feels like 12F outside. It’s sick, but this is the price we pay for all seasons. Some slushy mountains of snow remain. The truth is, there are days when I can close my eyes and see the sunset at Cedar Key, salty air hitting my face. Metal hooks on the metal pier floor and abandoned fishing rods leaning on the pier rail. Moments we absorbed from the past are never far. The key is to always make new ones. Look around and spot the dreams come true and glimmers. Behind me, the sun is setting with the Verrazzano sparkling in the distance. Someday, I’ll close my eyes and still see this, too.
Periods are a b*tch in January. If you are a woman, you know this is true. (Apparently, this is partially because of all the holiday season disregulation and disordered eating and sleeping). I especially know it to be true, because, mine, like clockwork, sees Times Square filling up with people awaiting confetti, and this uterus starts plotting its sabotage. (Every damn year).
On a day that most people stay awake for 24 hrs+, all an achy woman wants to do is take a hot shower and curl up in fetal position; the night is a long one. My strategy this year to work around the shredding of the sleep schedule is one of slow preparation. I have my emergency pouch, I slept in later, I did a workout that left me both energized and tired, took a hot slow, steaming shower before getting dressed, drank a little matcha, listened to a “best of” podcast, watched some Paul Maurice press conferences (these are my super bowl), gathered gifts by the door to not forget, and did my light makeup in three shifts. We are being strategic today. Borrow from me if you are also feeling the familiar uterus ache, the January energy drain ahead, or if you simply are terrible at staying up past 11pm (also me).
In the midst of all of this, we are taking some time to reflect on the year.
These were some of the top posts, this year– thank you for your support! It means so much that you make me a part of your routine, your commute entertainment, your life. I am grateful for the community of thinkers and feelers, here. (Hello to all of you– most of you here are reading from Germany, the good ‘ole US of A, India, the United Kingdom and Canada).
Top Posts:
Don’t Be Good: Be unf*cukable with. I stand by this.
Ideas for NYC: Open Letter #2: Public transport and the Code of Conduct Card idea. Soon, I will have a new NYC Mayor to write to.
Affirmation: Lessons from another morning commute gone bust.
To My Brothers: A reflection to my bros during their birthday week.
The Minister’s Daughter: Celebrating Jessica Simpson’s return to music.
Armor of the Brave: This Peaky Blinders quote was very searched.
My Top Listened To Podcasts (on the commute):
- TSC Him and Her Podcast
- This Past Weekend with Theo Von
- Real AF with Andy Frisella
- Intelligent Change: A Podcast with Alex Ikonn
My Favorite Podcast Interviews:
Favorite TV Show of 2025: St. Denis Medical
A Book I am Taking with Me into 2026: A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders
Best Win of 2025: Florida Panthers (2nd) Stanley Cup
Still a Personal Hero: Paul Maurice
For me, it was a steady year, with its normal ups and downs. God granted us some family health miracles and life. Collectively, He granted us safety (especially through the LA fires), new jobs, old jobs stayed, He provided continually, chapters closed, some actual summer Fridays, many chiro adjustments, Jenny and her blessed hands giving wellness, a visit from a childhood friend, an epic Brooklyn street fair (a few actually), a wild mayoral campaign, and so much more.
There is so much that awaits us. I pray each of our journeys is long and blessed. May it be a year of creative blooming.
As we enter a new chapter, I leave you with some words from the icon Paul Maurice: “If you do it right, all your adversity makes you better in the end.” Keep moving forward.
LET’S GO!!!!!!!
GABRIELA YARELIZ 