Hi, I’m Erin Austen Abbott, and welcome to the Field Trip Newsletter. It’s completely free to access and read once a month, but if you would like to support my work, please consider a paid newsletter subscription: just $5/month or save money with the $50/annual sub. You can also go way above and beyond by becoming a Founding Member at $75. Thank you so much for being here! I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have you a part of this community. Enjoy!
Happy New Year’s Eve! This time of year has always been my favorite time of year. I like to stay home and spend time setting my goals and intentions for the upcoming year, reflect on the past year, and find calm going into the new year. Of course, we all have different ways of celebrating, but that’s how I enjoy spending the evening. My husband and I have also spent the whole morning deep cleaning the house, which I have to say has been excellent. So we can go into the new year with a spotless home!
For the first year since my son was born, he’s asking to stay up to watch the ball drop in Times Square. We told him if he could last that long, he could stay up. So I’m going to pop the popcorn, make fizzy mocktails, and we are going to dance. He does have a time zone difference in his favor, so he needs to make it to 11 PM. I can remember as a child trying to make it that late and never could. Not much has changed as an adult if we are being honest.
If your night keeps you in and you are looking for a fun way to celebrate, turn up the music and dance with us! I made you a family-friendly playlist on Spotify to ring in the New Year no matter what time you listen to it. I was a radio show host on WMNF 88.5 for nine and half years in Tampa, FL. At the time, I was the youngest radio DJ in the state’s history. I started when I was a freshman in high school, hosting my show. I don’t know if I still hold that title, but I truly loved selecting songs, making sure one piece flowed well into the next. Creating this playlist takes me back to that time, for even just a moment. Let me know what you think of the playlist, and I’ll start making more for you.
One last thing, I saw this on Instagram, and I loved it so much, by Morgan Day Cecil.
Enjoy! And HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE! - Erin
I am always ready for a new mixed tape! And thank you for the Here. Lots of variations on the theme, I like the warm specificity of these words, acting like a tether, or a hand to hold
Dance party sounds great and the ending words resonate for me. Happy and Healthy2022 to you