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At the start of every new year, I find myself stuck between two opposing approaches. On the one hand, I want a big lofty goal for the months ahead that I can dedicate all my focus to. And on the other, I just want to keep things simple—setting my sights on doing and being better. But this year, I decided to choose a word to guide me in my decision-making and growth across the board: courage. Why courage? Well, candidly, I felt like I lacked a bit of it in 2023. I spent more time second-guessing myself than going for it. And I let the noise in my head take over more than usual. Trust me: that’s not my go-to behavior.

With courage at the forefront, this also got me excited to explore more newness this year. For me, the novelty of trying something new always leads to a boost in serotonin, a spark of curiosity, and a newfound joy and appreciation for being a beginner. Plus, I always leave an experience seeing the world just a little differently. 

Featured image from our interview with Mary Ralph Bradley.

I hope that with a bit of courage, and by opening my heart and mind to new things, I will also inject more fun and play into my life. 

6 Ways I’m Embracing More Courage in 2024

When I thought of the why behind all that I want to invite into my life this year, I leaned into what I felt might be missing. This ensured that the experiences I chose to prioritize felt additive and exploratory. A few things that came to mind:

• feeling more connected to my community
• moving my body in a different way
• disconnecting from my phone to reconnect with something else

But above all, I wanted to get out of the day-to-day rut I’ve been feeling. The only requirement? These had to be fun and solely for myself—not social media or anyone else. Here’s what trying new things in 2024 looks like for me.

Asking for What I Want

This is a hard one to admit, but I struggled here in 2023. And quite frankly, that shocked me. Last year I reverted to old people-pleasing behaviors and one whole year later, I have the clarity on how that both held me back and forced me into playing small. 

This year, I’m going for it. I’ve already started to. Asking for what I need in all aspects of life and putting myself out there for growth. I’m fully aware that may come with rejection, but I truly believe the consequences of not asking are far riskier than any rejection could ever be. 

Practice this in whatever way it aligns for you. It could be asking for a raise, pivoting careers, asking someone on a date, or declaring your needs proudly. Maybe it’s saying no to something or someone even if it’s hard, or saying yes to something even if you’re scared. I know you’ll be so thankful you did. 

Writing Poetry

I was struck by a post I saw on Instagram by a writer who said that at the beginning of 2023, they made it a practice to write a poem every day. It was a beautiful goal, and I immediately began researching how I could do the same myself. This is one new thing that I’ve already begun, and while I haven’t hit that daily cadence, I am averaging a poem every other day. It’s been a fun practice to share my thoughts in a completely new format. I’ve written everything from a short rhyme to a haiku, and am even exploring funny, lighter tones as well as the more melancholy and personal. It’s helped me see the world a little differently and expand my own vocabulary. 

I haven’t shared a poem with anyone yet, and I’m not sure that I will. I love that this is something that is just for me. At least for now. 

Pole Dancing

Ever since I saw Dita Von Teese’s burlesque show at the Paramount Theater in Austin last January, I have been so enamored by the feminine and sexy ways she and her troupe moved their bodies. What drew me to pole dancing is its difficulty—it’s a total core and upper body workout, much like aerial silks can be. But it’s also edgy, feminine, sexy, and for the most part (for my purposes), something done solo. 

I’ve told at least seven friends that I’m doing this and they all responded with the same Are you serious? Is this a joke? And then all seven of them promptly asked if they could join me. I think I’m onto something.

I’m inspired by women who aren’t afraid to connect with their bodies in new ways and who bravely lean into feeling sexy and feminine—even if just for themselves. 

Trying a New Workout Each Week in January

Speaking of being in a rut, my workout routine needs a complete refresh. While I love the workouts I’m currently doing—typically a morning walk around the lake and a bootcamp-style class, I realized my fear of failure is currently keeping me from exploring new forms of movement. But rather than staying stuck in that cycle, I’m springing out of it and making it my mission to move out of any funk or rut.

Plus, if I want to connect with the community in a new way after years of working remotely and feeling a bit stuck inside my place, this is the PERFECT way to be around people once again. 

I’m shifting from What if I hate it or embarrass myself? to What if I love it and find a new way to build strength?

I would love to say that I won’t buy anything for a month or that I’m going to only shop my closet, but I know those sweeping declarations will likely set me up for failure. However, I truly want to shift my consumer behavior to being more responsible both financially and for the environment. My approach: default to second-hand shopping. Austin is home to some incredibly curated consignment shops (looking at you, MOSS), and rather than visit the five rotating websites I always search, I’m turning to some of my favorite consignment shops or friends’ closets.

Building a Vision Board

If you know Camille, you know she’s hosted vision board workshops and designed an at-home kit to build your own. I’ve been a naysayer for years wondering how images on a piece of paper could actually come to life, but after enough friends have preached the power of a board, I’m finally coming around.

There are a few specific things I want to happen this year that I’m acutely focused on. My true hope is that by shifting my outlook and putting positive energy into these intentions, that I can help bring them to fruition. I also feel like at this point, it certainly can’t hurt my chances. 

So, what’s on your list of new things to try in 2024? Is there anything you’re leaning into this year that you’ve never tried? I can’t wait to re-read this article in December and see what’s transpired. I’m excited just thinking about the possibility.

I wasted too many years believing that success required unwavering discipline. I’d go to the gym 10 days straight terrified that a break would mean a loss of momentum. (Of course, I burnt out and actively hated exercise for months.) This thinking can apply to how we assume others accomplish their goals as well. They must always eat healthily. I bet they crave an hour-long spin class. They’ve probably never gotten less than 8 hours of sleep in their life. No—they just know the power of habit stacking.

In truth, I’ve never considered myself disciplined. Despite (now) having a consistent workout routine, building a healthy and balanced lifestyle wasn’t the result of gritting my teeth and living out of alignment with my authentic self. (Though sure, I’ve gone to many a 6 a.m. workout class when all I wanted was to sleep in.) I’m constantly tapping into a range of behavioral techniques that make embodying my best self a little easier. And habit stacking sits right at the top of that list.

Featured image from our interview with Remi Ishizuka.

What is habit stacking?

Like clockwork, another champagne-fueled NYE makes way for resolutions to cook meals at home and well-intended (though vaguely worded) goals of following healthier routines. But spoiler: without a strong habit framework behind this desire to live a fuller, more purposeful life, the odds of success aren’t in your favor.

Strategizing around these lifestyle shifts—and drawing upon research-backed techniques—is key to making your vision board a reality. What’s more, when we make healthy, supportive habits more desirable to practice, they become easier to implement. And that’s why habit stacking is so powerful.

How Habit Stacking Works

Habit stacking relies upon synaptic pruning (the brain’s process of eliminating unused neuron connections and prioritizing those used more frequently) to help you build new skills and rituals with ease. As James Clear writes in Atomic Habits, “It is a biological change that leads to skill development.” Think back to when you were in school and had to read 30 minutes a night, or how your parents said you wouldn’t get better at the flute without consistent practice. The more you engage with any skill, the stronger the connections between those neurons become.

While Clear didn’t coin the phrase—proponents abound, but S.J Scott introduced the term in his book Habit Stacking: 97 Small Life Changes That Take Five Minutes or Less—I find his explanation of habit stacking the most accessible. To draw upon Atomic Habits further, let’s look at Clear’s explanation of how habit stacking works.

“When it comes to building new habits, you can use the connectedness of behavior to your advantage. One of the best ways to build a new habit is to identify a current habit you already do each day and then stack your new behavior on top. This is called habit stacking.

Habit stacking is a special form of an implementation intention. Rather than pairing your new habit with a particular time and location, you pair it with a current habit.”

Examples of Habit Stacking

You might not realize it, but you move between countless ingrained habits throughout your day. Brushing your teeth, taking a shower, driving to work, making coffee, prepping dinner, etc. And I’m sure you can think of plenty more. The beautiful thing about habit stacking is that there are countless places to start.

Let’s use Clear’s habit stacking formula to identify some examples.

After/Before [CURRENT HABIT], I will [NEW HABIT].

• Before I get out of bed, I will take a sip of water from the bottle on my nightstand.
• After I pour my coffee in the morning, I will take five deep breaths.
• Before I eat breakfast, I will do a brief meditation.
• After I get in the shower, I will think of three things I’m grateful for.
• After I get into bed at night, I will journal for five minutes.

These examples show how habit stacking works on a biological level. It takes advantage of the habits you already do regularly—and have therefore built a strong network of neurons around—to strengthen the connections for new habits and skills to flourish.

To begin implementing this in your own life, identify 3-5 habits you already do daily and pair them with 3-5 habits you’d like to do. Be mindful of what aligns with your schedule and which habits make sense to pair.

How to Use Habit Stacking to Reach Your Goals

While it may seem like you have everything you need to start habit stacking, there are a few things to keep in mind to successfully incorporate it into your life.

• Be specific. Just as the best goals are clearly intended, our habit stacking cues must be explicit. Ditch the ambiguity and pinpoint the exact time and place that precedes your new habit.
• Prioritize action. When identifying the habits you want to begin regularly practicing (as well as the habits you already do), be sure to “provide instruction on how and when to act […] The more tightly bound your new habit is to a specific cue, the better the odds are that you will notice when the time comes to act,” writes Clear.
• Create contingency plans. Ideally, you should be able to do your cues and habits regardless of the weather or other obligations. But life happens. As you create your own habit stacking framework, brainstorm alternatives if you can’t go for a walk outside or if your kids’ schedule overrides your breathwork routine.
• Start small. And be realistic. At the start of every year, we’re bound to get caught up in the wide-sweeping, take-over-the-world goals that everyone seems to be making on social media. But the beauty of habit stacking lies in the fact that it makes the most of our small, everyday actions. So if you’re tempted to meditate for 30 minutes after making coffee, dial it back to five and work your way up from there. Remember: the journey is a worthy venture in itself.

Have you ever gone to a friend’s house for dinner and their hosting style was so casually cool it made your jaw drop? These are my favorite people. Everything about them is warm and inviting, and the way they gather everyone around the kitchen island for good food and even better conversation makes you crave the next time you can get together. A few weeks ago, I attended a friend’s happy hour at home, and they pulled out this tinned fish board.

First off, I get it. If your reaction is one of doubt yet intrigue at the idea of arranging a charcuterie board with tins of fish, then let me say—at first, I was right there with you. And yet when my friend did exactly that a few weeks ago, she instantly became the coolest person on the planet. Who can so casually yet confidently arrange a few ingredients on a board with some tins of fish and have it feel both elevated and approachable? As the season ramps up and it feels like all I’m doing is penciling in catch-ups with friends and celebrations with pals, there’s nothing I love more than the idea of a simple get-together around a board of delicious ingredients. 

How to Build Your Tinned Fish Board

Think of the theme of this board as a casual French happy hour picnic. It involves simple ingredients, none of which need to be prepped ahead of time. Everything on your tinned fish board complements each other into something more satisfying and special than just cheese and crackers. Here’s what you’ll need.

Tinned fish. We have all the options you need below!

Cheeses. Like any other charcuterie board, having a nice selection of cheeses can help anchor the ingredients. I like one salty cheese like a wedge of parmesan that you can just cut chunks from, a creamy brie that pairs well with sharp pickled ingredients as well as being smooth enough to temper the flavors of any tinned fish, and one herbed or marinated cheese that is creamy and flavorful like a Boursin.

Vegetables. Crunchy veggies always round out any board for me. I like cornichons or castelvetrano olives for a pop of green goodness. And then vegetables like radishes or cucumbers pair perfectly with the cheese options and butter. Speaking of…

Really good butter. Get the special stuff. Butter on crackers and bread is always a crowd pleaser, and the flavor pairs perfectly with vegetables like radishes (sprinkle on salt, as the French do), and also goes well with the fish.

Nuts. I like pistachios or Marcona almonds with this board.

Bread and crackers. A nice crusty baguette and your favorite crisp crackers will give everyone something to snack on.

Use the above as your baseline, then build from there. Pickled onions would be nice with the fish, some friends love ritz crackers or saltines with their tinned fish, and fresh herbs like a bowl of dill would also be a tasty pairing.

Tinned Fish Options

If you’re feeling intimidated or don’t know where to start with choosing from the tinned fish options, I polled our team for a few of their favorites.

Caviar

Get the good stuff. It feels special, especially for the holidays! Of course, caviar leans on the more expensive side, but as with anything, it can be hard to know what to get based on price alone. We love Caviar Russe’s selection, trusted by casual hosts and restaurants alike. Each tin is sustainably farmed and packed to order, meaning you’re getting the freshest caviar possible. Expect a nutty, full flavor. And if you want to serve something bubbly alongside your tinned fish board, this caviar offers the best bite.

Anchovies

I know what you’re thinking: even for the well-trained tinned fish lovers among us, anchovies can be… a lot. And while they’re a necessity in the best caesar dressings, they might come as a surprise on your tinned fish board. Well I’m here to tell you they’re an appetizer essential—here’s why. These anchovies are rich and buttery. And while they do pack the same salty punch as other brands, Fishwife’s boast a mellower flavor that pair beautifully with bread and butter. Trust me, these will change you forever.

Sardines

Sardines are a personal fave of our Managing Editor, Isabelle Eyman. She explains to me that this tin in particular is the best of the best (though Trader Joe’s sardines offerings comes pretty close). Portugal-based José Gourmet is a trusted and favored tinned fish brand among fanatics for their sustainable practices and unbeatable flavors. The sardines are packed in olive oil, letting the fish shine in all their glory while still retaining a nice, fruity bite. They’re a bit more mild than other small fish, making these great for beginners.

Salmon or Tuna

Perhaps the most familiar tinned fish varietals, salmon and tuna make great low-key additions to your board. I’d recommend opting for one or the other. Though they each offer different flavor profiles, they’re similar enough that they would end up competing against one another on the board. Again, Fishwife is a great option when it comes to tuna, and no one does it better than Patagonia Provisions when you’re selecting a sustainably-sourced salmon. Be sure to load up on a few tins the next time you’re shopping for outdoor gear.

Assembly Tips and Tricks

Everything on this board can be opened and prepped right before serving, meaning you don’t really have to plan ahead if you have everything on hand. But you can still keep a few tips in mind to ensure maximum enjoyment.

Let the cheese come to room temperature. Especially for a creamy brie, letting the cheese sit before serving helps the flavor shine and it spreads on a baguette or cracker much easier.

Salt is your best friend. Especially with the fish on this board, a little bowl of flaky salt lets everything shine a bit brighter. Including some lemon wedges for the fish is also a way to help elevate their flavor.

Group ingredients together. If you have fish and topping combos you like, group those ingredients close together on the board to help streamline assembly.

There are two types of people: those who always order a side of guacamole, and those who don’t. The latter group might dip a chip or two into a collective bowl of guac, but they go for the oozy queso or fresh salsa over a serving of mashed avocado. I try not to judge, but… let’s just say, I’m a guac person. And because I’m always looking to upgrade my favorite recipes using the season’s produce, it felt like no better time to pump up the flavors of a classic guac with my summer bhutta guacamole.

You might remember my masala corn salad recipe, a take on masala bhutta, or Indian street corn, in salad form. And as delicious as it is, there was something awfully intriguing about turning it into a dip for bottomless bowls of tortilla chips. So with a few tweaks, a lot of avocados, and the summer’s sweetest corn, we’re making your new favorite guacamole recipe.

Ingredients for Bhutta Street Corn Guacamole

Corn. Preferably corn on the cob if you can find it. This will give you those charred grilled marks, but frozen and thawed corn will work in a pinch.

Red Onions. You can also substitute shallots.

Cilantro. Bright and fresh, no guacamole is complete without lots of cilantro.

Limes. The acidity is a must in guacamole, and I love the brightness that it adds to the flavor. You can use lemon if you don’t have limes.

Jalapeno. For a little kick, but remove the seeds if you prefer less spice.

Avocados. Only the best of the best here.

Chaat masala. My favorite funky spice blend, chaat masala takes the flavor up a notch.

Red chili powder. The warming heat adds extra depth to this guacamole.

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What is bhutta?

Bhutta (corn) masala is just an Indian street-style corn topped with spices. Think elote, but Indian. My mom would prepare bhutta on the cob, grilled on the stove until charred, then topped with butter, rubbed with a little lime, and sprinkled with chaat masala and salt. It’s sweet from the corn, savory from the spices, and the ultimate summer recipe.

How to Prep Indian Street Corn Guacamole

Guacamole doesn’t really need a whole lot of instructions when it comes to prep. You simply need a few really good ingredients. What we’re really trying to do here is pack the flavors of Indian bhutta into this guacamole and we’re doing it with just a few components to keep things simple.

First, get the ripest avocados you can find. Easy tip: remove the stem on top of the avocado. If it falls off easily and reveals green flesh underneath, you have a good one. Be sure to give it a tiny squeeze as well to make sure your avocado isn’t too firm. Mash with plenty of lime juice to keep the guac green in color, and then pack with our flavorful ingredients. Lots of cilantro, red onion for a little bite, sweet summer corn, and our spices. 

If you know me, you know I put chaat masala on everything. On salads, on french fries, on chickpeas, the options are endless. The flavor is savory, funky, salty, and good on everything. It pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the corn and really stands out against the creaminess of the avocado. Season with as much red chili powder as you like for the level of heat you prefer.

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How to Serve Indian Street Corn Guacamole

You can go classic with tortilla chips—and trust me, this one will go fast when served alongside a big bowl of them—but this guacamole is just as good paired with other summery, spicy faves.

Serve alongside your favorite taco recipe (like these carne asada tacos) or with your protein of choice (like salmon) or as an accompaniment to chicken fajitas. However you serve it up, this Indian street corn guacamole will upgrade any recipe.

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