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A few days ago, I saw a post announcing a new season of a show I like — Nobody Wants This Season 3, on Netflix October 22. I gleefully opened my notes app to one of my favorite entries:
Things to Look Forward To
I created this note last year, mostly as a place to track upcoming releases (movies, books, shows, music, etc.), travel plans, and other exciting future events. I love adding things to this note and checking them off as they happen.
Oftentimes, things feel quite distant when they first join the list. In March, John Green announced his new novel, Hollywood, Ending, and I added it to the list. The September release date felt so far away, but six months went weirdly fast; Hollywood, Ending comes out next Tuesday.
In his book The Anthropocene Reviewed, John Green has an essay about Halley’s Comet. He tried to catch a glimpse of it when it appeared in 1986, and it will next appear in 2061. Lord willing, I’ll be 68 years old in 2061. Now that feels really, really far away.
I don’t know if my list will survive that long. (I don’t know if I’ll survive that long.) I put it on the list anyway.
Anticipation is complicated. It often comes with expectations, and we all know that things don’t always live up to our expectations. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve finally watched a much-anticipated movie or tv show and found it overhyped.
Anticipation can also come with impatience and even anger. Why can’t I have this now?! It’s not fair! The wait separating you from the thing you want can be upsetting, even excruciating. I know this feeling all too well — the US/Canada border closed during the pandemic, and I had to postpone meeting my now-husband for almost a year.
Anticipating something exciting can make you too eager. You might find yourself living so entirely for the future that you’re unable to enjoy the present. You sort of float through life with an unhealthy, single-minded focus on the object of your anticipation.
Anticipating something unpleasant or uncertain often means dread and anxiety, which is also not very healthy (or fun).
So, obviously, anticipation is not all rainbows and butterflies.
But when anticipation remains unspoiled, it’s delicious.
It’s like microdosing the joy that’s coming your way. It’s like getting a zero-interest payday advance on delight. Being on vacation is the best, but daydreaming about your upcoming vacation is 🧑🍳 💋 (chef’s kiss). And in a world of same-day delivery and a million other forms of instant gratification, a little bit of waiting does us a world of good.
I highly recommend making your own list of things to look forward to. Nothing is too big or small, and nothing is too near or too distant. Add everything.
If you’re into movies, check out this list of upcoming releases.
Steal from my list:
See you next week,
(I’m looking forward to it 😉)
Kara
Out of Office
What I do when I’m not at my desk
Reading: I’m on a graphic novel kick lately. I revisited Griffin & Sabine, a stunning epistolary book where the letters are on separate pages folded inside actual envelopes, like a grown-up “lift-the-flap” reading experience. So charming. I also enjoyed See One, Do One, Teach One: The Art of Becoming a Doctor!
Watching: In observance of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 last week, we watched United 93. It was an extremely intense and well-made movie that I never want to watch again.
Doing: Currently anticipating harvest being over so my farmer family can relax! Weather has not been cooperating lately, so it’s slow going with lots of rain delays. I’m keeping busy with client work and troubleshooting some ideas for the online sticker/stationery shop I’m planning to launch soon (hopefully in October!)
Kara Detwiller is a writer and artist based in small-town Saskatchewan. She specializes in long-form content writing for enterprise SaaS, cybersecurity, and manufacturing clients. She is also working on her first novel, among other creative pursuits. To connect, reply to this email or find Kara on LinkedIn.
