Prompts for the Year's Endings & Beginnings

Looking back, looking ahead, and taking stock of the middle

Two lists of questions as bookends for the moment du jour — one set of Moon Lists prompts for looking back, and a second for looking ahead. (Even though they all actually have to do with the ongoingness in between, not some other person you’re resolving to become in t-minus 60 hours. We plan, god laughs, etc.!)

As ever, interpret as you will: use these questions as a journaling guide when you’re stuck; or for a deep-diving discussion at the dinner table. Or ignore them and come back when you’re bored on the plane and the WiFi is down and an unexpected sliver of mental spaciousness feels possible.

The first set of prompts (& digital download) is gratis to all; the second set is a gift for paid subscribers.

Wishing you a year of honoring obsession, avoiding scams, making eye contact, kissing your friends, embarking on outings, keeping champagne on hand, and always asking better questions.
Be well,
LP

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“I’m not telling you to make the world better, because I don’t think that progress is necessarily part of the package. I’m just telling you to live in it. Not just to endure it, not just to suffer it, not just to pass through it, but to live in it. To look at it. To try to get the picture. To live recklessly. To take chances. To make your own work and take pride in it. To seize the moment. And if you ask me why you should bother to do that, I could tell you that the grave’s a fine and private place, but none I think do there embrace. Nor do they sing there, or write, or argue, or see the tidal bore on the Amazon, or touch their children. And that’s what there is to do and get it while you can and good luck at it.”

— Joan Didion, Commencement Address at UC Riverside (1975)

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Part One:

1. PATTERN THINKING

What patterns in your own behavior or thought process did you recognize (or continue) this year? 

2. UNKNOWN FRIENDS

Who sought you out? Who did you seek out?

3. OVER/UNDER

What did you do in excess? What did you not do enough of? (+ a consideration: if you’re overthinking, write. If you’re under thinking, read.)

4. SUPERLATIVE SOMETHINGS

Because it’s that time of year, list a few best ofs, but make it a deep cut, i.e:

• The best pastry.

• The best single piece of gossip.

• The best garnish.

• The best failure.

• The best snack eaten in the car.

• The best bath.

• The best gadget.

* Your own categories are welcome additions, these are my personal superlatives.

5. JUST A NUMBER, ETC.

What was your relationship with aging? (Maybe it’s your own, or maybe it’s proximity to another’s…)

6. VIBE CHECK

Define your stylistic vibe of the year in a few words, i.e:

German Optician at the Opera

Miami DJ slash Drug Dealer

Avant Beanie Baby

Off-Duty Marais Trash Man

Kyoto Monk on Acid

7. COPPING A HABIT

I read that Georgia O’Keeffe drank orange blossom tea, so I bought orange blossom tea. What’s something you started doing this year (or tried on for a week or two) just because you observed someone else doing it? 

8. REARVIEW WINDOW

Think back to this time last year. What’s something that—between then and now—has obviously, inarguably changed in your own life or immediate world?

DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE VERSION HERE.

And for part two…