My 2023 Recap

I started doing 1 seconds, because I needed a way to force myself to go out and do things. I moved to SF 1.5 years ago for my job and, for the first 6 months, I was struggling to find community. I threw myself into work and failed to prioritize my personal life.

In 2023, I wanted to change that: I challenged myself to do at least 1 eventful thing each day. Something worth documenting. If I didn’t like it, I could leave; all I needed was 1 second!

Then, I structured the 1 seconds into a “Monthly Minute,” setting goals and making reflections for each month. This provided structure for my curious mind.

These intentional practices ushered in so many new opportunities for me in 2023. They brought so many beautiful people into my life! I cherish these relationships and I can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store.

Below are some of the goals I accomplished in 2023. Since none of them would be possible without the support of the friends and family in my life, I wanted to give some of these people a shoutout. (Most folks are tagged in my social media post.)

🧠 Learning:

Personal:
Lots of podcast listening.

Found a couple good books. My favorite was Temple Grandin’s, The Autistic Brain.

Professional:
At ImYoo, I strengthened my adaptability and resilience this year. (I wrote our 30+-page umbrella study protocol, consent forms, & other study materials for ethics board approval, designed our temperature-stable packaging, and launched our IBD study).

I joined the Patient Centric Sampling Interest Group (PCSIG) as a founding board member. I contribute the perspective of the biotech startup within our diverse and collaborative non-profit.

Thank you Andrew Huberman for helping me keeping my curiosity & the bio nerd in me alive.

Thank you to David & Tatyana for giving me the freedom to struggle & learn on my own.

Thank you Glen Park, the library, the cafes, the canyon, for being a great place for reflection.

😌 Personal growth:

70+ journal entries.

Thank you to my Jewish community who nurture spirituality in my life. Whether it’s a Shabbat dinner, a major holiday, or a casual Cafe Ivrit, you keep me grounded.

I may reach out individually about the deeper stuff you might have helped me with. If I don’t, you know who you are & I am so so grateful — I’ll express my gratitude in your next birthday card :)

✈️ Travel:

Roadtripped through France & went to Italy for the first time.
Visited family in Israel and explored Jerusalem in a new light.

Thank you Inbar for inspiring me to see more of the world.

Thank you to friends who hosted me on my visits.

Thank you to my relatives who keep the family close, even though the US and Israel are an ocean apart.

💪 Health & Fitness:

Not pre-diabetic anymore! What looked like a path toward metabolic syndrome, was reversed (cholesterol and blood sugar levels restored to normal after progressive worsening in the prior 2 years).

Got the pistol squat down!

Thank you Futaba for your wisdom and guidance.
Thank you to the Physique Magnifique family for giving me community.
Thank you Louis for pushing me!

Thank you to my friends who support my healthy habits. Cardio was never my thing, but I appreciate Ezra for always pushing me.

Thank you social media and the inspiring fitness accounts who educated and inspired me. Glucose Goddess & Vanja Moves, to name a few.

✍️ Creativity:

30+ comedy performances. Starting with my first time doing mics solo. Standup comedy progression: Mics (5 min sets) > shows 7 min sets > 10 min sets > comedy debates > roast battles.
Venues: The Bar on Dolores, Milk Bar, Cobb’s.

Thank you to Connor for putting me on my first show & the community of comics for welcoming me.

Got 1 song down solid: Landslide!

Thank you Christian for teaching me guitar. Thank you Gino for encouraging me to sing in the first place. (That started way back in our college jams!) I enjoy jamming with you both!

❤️‍🩹 Tikkun Olam (repairing the world):

In 2023, I donated to the following charities:
-Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
-Brazil Foundation
-Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation
-Make it Count 4 Dani Foundation
-Moishe House
-National Park Foundation

In 2022, I answered 174 calls volunteering for 6 months on the NAMI HelpLine, which is like the mental health yellow pages. In 2023, I started speaking at local high schools as a NAMI volunteer.

Thank you to ImYoo for our CharityVest Program, where every team member can get $500 each month for charitable giving.

Thank you John Moe, from The Hilarious World of Depression (THWoD) podcast, for directing me to NAMI’s volunteering opportunities in 2022.