One of my favorite podcasts is “Death, Sex, & Money” with Anna Sale. On this podcast, Anna Sale “explores the big questions and hard choices that are often left out of polite conversation” (from the Death, Sex, & Money website), which is also usually the types of conversation I have with clients during therapy sessions. On the most recent episode, “A Season to Savor,” Anna discussed a conversation she had with her own therapist about savoring and how to use savoring as a mindfulness practice, as a tool to actively tune into the present moment. During the episode, Anna discussed her list of “savor-its” from the past year. In an effort to become mindful about my own year, I’ve also decided to come up with a list of things I savored over the past year. If you have things that you have savored over the last year, please share in the comments below!

5 of my “Savor-Its” from 2021

1. The podcast “Couples Therapy” with Andy Beckerman and Naomi Ekperigin. On the Couples Therapy podcast, comedians Andy and Naomi and a weekly guest answer listeners’ relationship questions in a funny and honest way. I have found these comedians and their guests to be a highlight of my Tuesday (the day the podcast comes out). With all of the heavy and weighty news of the world, I appreciated their ability to discuss hard and difficult things with a generous amount of humor.

2. I have always loved the band Lake Street Dive, but this year I was able to see them in person at an outdoor show in Portland, Maine. One of my goals post-pandemic (although we’re certainly not “post-pandemic” yet) is to see more live music, and over the summer during the warmer months I was able to see a couple outdoor shows. One song that I have not been able to get out of my head since I saw Lake Street Dive was a song called “Hypotheticals” from their 2021 album Obviously. 

3. Over the summer, I spent a few days in mid-coast Maine and Acadia National Park. It was an incredibly busy time of year to be in Maine, however, amid all of the hustle and bustle I remember vividly savoring the frigid cold water at Sand Beach in Acadia. It was so cold, it took my breath away. But it was gorgeous and mesmerizing as well. 

4. A show I have loved following over the past couple of years is Shrill, starring Aidy Bryant, of SNL fame. First of all, I love Aidy Bryant and I think she is one of the funniest cast members on SNL. In fact, she was a guest on the Couples Therapy podcast, which is what first got me into listening to that podcast regularly. Her show, Shrill (which can be streamed on Hulu) is a funny, touching commentary on life as a millennial, especially in regards to dating, body acceptance, and weight discrimination. Season 3 came out in May 2021, and I binged it right away! It’s the perfect mix of humor (can you tell that’s something I love to savor?!) and blunt truth.

5. My last pick is a YouTube video that I have come back to over and over again to help me find peace and relaxation, especially when I’m experiencing a migraine or am just feeling stressed. This is a guided meditation and breathing by Lynsie McKeown that helps me to melt into the present moment and settle my racing mind. Check out the video here.