Monthly Archives: December 2023

Day 4016: New Year Dissolutions

Posted on December 31, 2023 by Ann Koplow

I recently read in a CNN “Good News” email that Allison Hope recommends making a New Year dissolution, instead of unrealistic resolutions:

My New Year dissolution is to politely disagree with (and maybe give up!) my inner critical voice. For example, “Yes, I recognize that I’m no Barbra Streisand, Jacob Collier, Pat Metheny, or Joni Mitchell, but I can still put on an entertaining show and make a good-enough album. Now, would you like to take a break from preventing me from making a fool of myself? Thanks for caring.”

I would love to see the dissolution of inner critical voices in 2024, as well as the dissolution of cruelty throughout the world.

Do you see any New Year dissolutions in my other images for today?”

Here’s what I find when I search for “New Year dissolutions” on YouTube:

Do you have any New Year dissolutions?

Just so you know, my New Year dissolutions do NOT include giving up this daily blog in 2024, thanks to wonderful readers like YOU! 🙏💕🎉

Happy New Year!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: Allison Hope, cats, CNN Good News, comparisons, December 31 2023, gratitude, Hogmanay, letting go, Martin Yam Moller, the inner critic, Twitter | 19 Comments

Day 4015: I’m good

Posted on December 30, 2023 by Ann Koplow

What does “I’m good” mean to you?

I’m good with those different online definitions and I’m good with my other images for today.

I’m good with the Festival of Enormous Changes at the Last Minute.

I’m good with these lyrics for my latest original song:

Here’s what I find when I search for “I’m good” on YouTube:

I’m good with any comments you care to leave today.

Thanks to all who help me realize I’m good, including YOU!

Categories: original song, personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: Band Together Project, Cambridge Dictionary, cats, December 30 2023, Festival of Enormous Changes at the Last Minute, Still Need to do Day, The Daily Bitch Calendar, the South Shore of Boston, the Urban Dictionary, Vernessa Himmler | 10 Comments

Day 4014: Taking a Risk

Posted on December 29, 2023 by Ann Koplow

I’m taking a risk by titling this blog post “Taking a Risk” rather than “Balance” (the other title I was considering).

I’m taking a risk today by paying a deposit on the Lilypad performance space for my concert/live album recording in June.

Shenna Bellows, Maine’s Secretary of State, was taking a risk when she found Trump ineligible to be on the primary ballot there.

Do you see anybody taking a risk in my other images for today?

Somebody’s taking a risk with their eating habits.

Here’s what I find when I search for “taking a risk” on YouTube.

Thanks to all who helped me create this taking-a-risk post, including YOU.

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: “Saying Yes: Taking Risks in Pursuit of Self-Discovery”, cats, December 29 2023, decisions, Jessica Kapp, Maine removing Trump from primary ballot, Shenna Bellows, The Daily Bitch Calendar, The Lilypad, Twitter, vegetarian meat loaf | 12 Comments

Day 4013: Favorite Things

Posted on December 28, 2023 by Ann Koplow

One of Michael’s favorite things are chocolate turtles, so I got him a box of those for our anniversary (with some proceeds going to protect sea turtles). At Phillips Chocolates, I saw this display of Oprah’s favorite things:

Do you see favorite things in my other images for today?

The riskiest thing I do might be performing as The Singing Therapist. One of my favorite things is asking for feedback, so which of the four Singing Therapist photos above (taken by my favorite son Aaron) is your favorite?

Here is one of my favorite things:

Many thanks to all who make blogging one of my favorite things, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: “My Favorite Things”, December 28 2023, John Coltrane, Oprah, Phillips Chocolates, Picco, The Daily Bitch Calendar, The Singing Therapist, Tufts Medical Center, What’s My Line?, zoos | 12 Comments

Day 4012: Anniversaries

Posted on December 27, 2023 by Ann Koplow

In therapy, people often talk about anniversaries of important, powerful, sometimes traumatic days.

For me, a traumatic anniversary is November 22, when I got my first cardiac pacemaker at 10 years old on the same day that President Kennedy was assassinated.

Today is a happy anniversary for me — the day my husband Michael and I got married!

I’m celebrating our anniversary by starting a 12-day vacation from work, getting a bone scan, returning a defective part from our new shower, hanging with my son Aaron and our cats, working on my original songs for my show/live album recording in June, going out to dinner with Michael, and creating this blog post for you.

Just watch me as I look for “anniversaries” on YouTube.

What are important anniversaries for you?

Thanks to all who help me create and celebrate anniversaries, including YOU.

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: anniversary, cats, celebration, December 27 2023, different types of anniversaries, gratitude, letting go of fear of failure, National Whiner’s Day, The Daily Bitch Calendar, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Twitter | 20 Comments

Day 4011: Gifts I love

Posted on December 26, 2023 by Ann Koplow

There are gifts I love in this post. Can you find them?

Every year I give myself a gift I love: The Daily Bitch Calendar.

Here’s what I find on YouTube when I search for gifts I love.

I am so grateful for the gifts I love, including you.

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: Blue Q socks, cats, Christmas, cupcakes, December 26 2023, dogs, family get-togethers, Love is a Gift, Phil Beastall Films, The Daily Bitch Calendar, Twitter | 13 Comments

Day 4010: What I like to share

Posted on December 25, 2023 by Ann Koplow

While yesterday I shared and aired grievances, what I like to share includes so much more.

What I like to share includes love, family, friends, cats, music, food, hope, good grammar and spelling, and the Daily Bitch Calendar.

Here’s what I find on YouTube when I search for “what I like to share.”

What do you like to share?

What I like to share always includes gratitude for YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: animals, Christmas Eve, December 25 2023, gifts, gratitude, grievances, love, Sesame Street, Sharing Song!, The Daily Bitch Calendar, Twitter | 12 Comments

Day 4009: The airing of grievances

Posted on December 24, 2023 by Ann Koplow

Yesterday was the Seinfeld-created holiday of Festivus, which includes the airing of grievances. I can’t exactly remember the other Festivus rituals (something with a pole) because the airing of grievances is so compelling and memorable.

It occurs to me that my job — group and individual therapy — usually includes the airing of grievances, so that people can get validation for their feelings and then move on to achievable next steps.

For me, the airing of grievances, here and now, would include

My disappointment with the movie Maestro,
My jaw is still snapping, crackling, and popping whenever I talk, sing, or eat (three of my favorite activities),
How the media has been focusing on Donald Trump for years, and
How human beings so often express their grievances through close-mindedness, injustice, and killing.

Do you see the airing of grievances in my images for today?

I want to air my grievances with the Daily Bitch Calendar for having only one entry for every weekend.

Last night I saw my son for the first time since he moved to Halifax and as I was airing my grievances, anxiety, excitement, and other feelings about preparing for my concert/live album recording in June, we decided I should write a new song called “Don’t Kill Yourself.” I have to finish my musical airing of grievances in “Other People’s Anger” first, but I’ll get on that new tune as soon as I can.

Here’s what I find on YouTube when I search for “the airing of grievances.”

Let the airing of grievances begin in the comments section, below!

Thanks to all who witness the airing of grievances in this blog, including YOU.

And by the way, I have no problems with you people.

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: cats, December 24 2023, Eileen Jones, Festivus, Jacobin, jaw clicking, Maestro, original songs, Seinfeld, The Daily Bitch Calendar, Twitter | 9 Comments

Day 4008: What you’ve been waiting for

Posted on December 23, 2023 by Ann Koplow

Let’s see if this blog post is what you’ve been waiting for.

In yesterday’s therapy group, people were discussing what they’ve been waiting for, including resolved health issues, improved mobility, fewer medications, and more understanding. People observed that when we get what we’re waiting for, soon we’re waiting for something else.

What you’ve been waiting for might include my images for today.