I thought about that a lot

"Most new music’s not aimed at us Millennials. While I appreciate Sabrina Carpenter’s lyrical quips, the teeny-tiny outfits age me out. I like Charli XCX, but I’m too tired to have a brat summer. But @taylorswift13 manages to feel like she’s for everyone" ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/2024/taylor-sw…

"Losing a bundle of red & white woolly fibres may seem trivial, and mourning its loss perhaps childish – but do NOT mistake a football fan's scarf for simply being a piece of functional, mass-produced, easily-replaceable clothing." @Arsenal #COYG #ARSMON ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/2024/my-lost-f…

You can now pre-order the I Thought About That A Lot book! ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/shop It includes 23 essays that we’ve published on ithoughtaboutthatalot.com between 2020 and 2023. As well as 3 that will be part of this year's advent calendar.

We’ve created a book! It includes 24 essays that we’ve published between 2020 and 2024 as part of the I Thought About That A Lot essay advent calendars. You’ll be able to pre-order it next week for a December delivery 🎄 🎁

Wanted: contributors for 'In 2024, I thought about that a lot'. docs.google.com/document/d/1e2…

📢Help us compile a physical book to celebrate 5 years of @allconsuming_20 – the 'I thought about that a lot' essay advent calendar. ithoughtaboutthatalot.com

It’s NYE! A good time to reflect on the themes from 2023’s @allconsuming_20 advent calendar essays. 19 of 24 authors hadn’t contributed an essay in any of the previous years. 8 identify as male, 16 female. Oldest 74, youngest mid-twenties. Authors based in Europe, UAE and USA.

In 2023, I thought a lot about whether I’ll ever have sex again. "It's been 4 years, 3 months and 11 days since I did some squat thrusts in the cucumber patch. Since I bumped uglies. Engaged in a bit of bedroom rodeo. This, dear reader, is far too long." ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/2023/sex

In 2023, I thought a lot about the parts of myself I’ve ignored. "I'm scared I’ll realise in my 60s that I’ve spent my life comfortably married to a man I love but am not in love with. A man that I’m affectionate with but not attracted to." ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/2023/ignored

In 2023, I thought a lot about grief. "I was adamant she should be cremated in the trainers I’d bought her – but they were missing. I learnt later that Mum and her bestie, Rita, had covertly taken a bus to Boye’s in Kirkby and exchanged them for new bras." ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/2023/grief

In 2023, I thought a lot about kindness. "As the rain got harder, the woman waiting beside me at the bus stop took a few steps towards me. Before I knew what was happening I found myself sheltered under the eaves of this stranger’s umbrella." ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/2023/kindness

In 2023, I thought a lot about if the childless owe less to the planet. "Recently, I decided not to have children. That decision seeded a thought: maybe now I bore less responsibility than others? Maybe my sacrifice meant I could do what I wanted?" ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/2023/childless

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In 2023, I thought a lot about dress codes. "I saw a tweet that said ‘I just received a wedding invite where the dress code is: the fanciest thing you already own’. I gave it a ❤️ and scrolled on but I’ve thought about it at least twice a day ever since." ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/2023/dress-cod…

We're moving away from Twitter. You can get each advent calendar essay in your inbox by subscribing: buttondown.email/ithoughtalot

In 2023, I thought a lot about early menopause. "It is infuriating to be told 'no further action is needed' as a result of a blood test despite being a sweaty, bruised, knackered husk of a person.  It is medical gaslighting." ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/2023/early-men…

In 2023, I thought a lot about charity shops. "I have to confess that I'm addicted to charity shops, and the thrill of finding a unique, wearable wonder at a bargain price is the driving force behind this addiction." ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/2023/charity-s…

In 2023, I thought a lot about my Nokia 6680. "With the benefit of elapsed time and 314 text messages read in chronological order, I can see how that year marked a transition from one period of my life to another." ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/2023/my-nokia-…

In 2023, I thought a lot about naked men. "The relationship with my own nudity is not one I intended to explore this year, or probably ever. And I would’ve gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for all those naked men I’ve been in close proximity to." ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/2023/naked-men

In 2023, I thought a lot about having a business and a baby. "Even writing, ‘I’m working whilst my husband cares for our daughter’ fills me with guilt. Guilt that he is looking after her. Guilt that I, as her mum, have chosen to work over being with her." ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/2023/having-a-…