Near the end of each year, I always look back on my documentation of the wall calendar and Gcal to soothe my existential nerves that another year has gone by. My documentation reminds me that a full year was kept busy and well, despite my fear that I have not done enough. I flip through to see my travels, some rare night outs, friend visits, small and big celebrations, and even all the times I switched out my Invisalign for a new tray.
Today, we are greeted with an inundation of long-awaited summaries of our data footprints, like Spotify Wrapped and Beli Plated. Uber just launched one called “Youber,” and even my weightlifting app, Hevy, has a “2025 in Review.” I lifted a total of 779K lbs, not that anyone really cares (!!!). What seemed like a novel and exciting community share-out now feels like an old marketing playbook of quantifying user behaviors into large sums that don’t offer much insight.
I realized that data that excites me often comes in random, spur-of-the-moment discoveries that I usually archive and forget. It’s built on habits such as screenshotting random things and hoping I’ll return to them when they cross my mind again. It’s data built on chance, curiosity, and even unacknowledged longing. This digital footprint is intimately bound by a pattern that is only meaningful and recognizable to me. For me, this trail of data shares a longing to build a fulfilling creative life.
To wrap up my year, I thought I would retrace some of my frequently visited archives and saves to share a roundup of some online musings I discovered this past year. If previous wrap-ups were more centered around the usage of the platform itself, this practice is more focused on patterns, habits, and gravitations that helped me better construct how I want to activate my life. These data points offer a more accurate representation of my dreams, desires, and inspirations that have defined me this past year. And if possible, I would like to bring them with me into the new year. I hope you enjoy this collection just as much as I did putting it together.
https://nicochilla.com/stuff/ — a personal website by Nico Chilla
Why I like it — the tile grid, multiple view styles. If I could make a website that was both professional and whimsical, this is what I would aim for.
Food Appreciating itself — a collection of food images on restaurants, signs, and packaging appreciating how delectable it is.
Why it’s the silliest — it’s kind of scary and morbid, but it really does make me more inclined to purchase/consume these food items when I see the food appreciating itself. This board reminds me that creative practices don’t always have to be deep and meaningful.
https://loadmo.re/ — “A selection of unconventional web references. It collects distinctive mobile experiences as a living archive for design inspiration.”
Why it’s cool — I always love untraditional, weird webs. But I am always scared of (un)responsiveness and how it would translate on mobile. It’s cool to see how artists were able to achieve this without compromising on their art.
Saya Gray — A Japanese-Canadian alternative pop musician.
Why I like her — you have to listen to know. Some of my favorite songs are: HOW LONG CAN YOU KEEP A LIE, THUS…IS WHY (I DON’T SPRING 4 LOVE), and LINE BACK 22, but just her whole album, SAYA. +++ her lyrics!
Hang Zine — canvas fabric printed zine on Thailand’s laundry hanging culture.
Why I like it — I love the experimental format of printing beyond just paper. The little clothing hanger is also a nice little touch.
Beautiful Shell compartment by Casa Shop
Why was I caught — the wooden compartment paired with a giant, gleaming shell lid is just so beautiful. Anything would feel like a treasured keepsake if stored here.
Why I followed — fast photo collage editing, creating videos on the passage of time, and a collection of things.
This whole outfit by Akaritachibana
Why I desire — I always gravitate towards looks that highlight 1) interesting silhouettes, 2) detailed layers, and 3) an androgynous feel with room for feminine touches. This fit hits all three, and the top would cover the entirety of my long torso <3
I also think the model in this image is the designer’s mother, which is very tender (but I could be wrong!)
Why I did not cop — I was on a perpetual dresser hunt this whole year to do a closet refresh, but couldn’t find anything good within my price range… until I came across this beautiful silver dresser for $50, only to realize that it’s in Concord…
Flower Apron Skirt by Le Pull Studio
Why have I not attempted — A big mental block of my textile projects is buying yarn. I have so much yarn, yet every new tutorial requires finding the right yarn. So I often quit before I even begin. :,( but hopefully this year!!!
+ bonus best non-documented crashout
Why it’s the best — I was surprised by this novel composition with a lot of white space since most of my glance backs follow pretty similar snapshots of me dead center of the shot. Also, there is something very silly about my casual indifference to the topic of TSA pre. And no, I did not get TSA pre and still do not feel the need to get one.
(Salt) — A layover for artists and community members to share space and thoughts.
Why I desire — I feel particularly drawn to this residency because it is less focused on the idea of production and more on rest, community, and sharing knowledge and craft.
The Dialectic of Doomscrolling by Kat KitKay
Why it still lingers — this is literally the essay that I wish I could’ve articulated. A delicious read overall.
Figure grid — “a diagram displaying the various ways the human figure is represented in contemporary art. It’s an attempt to organize [the creator’s] relationship to all these bodies, and track the evolution of that relationship.”
Why I like it — I love the interactive format and the x, y grid diagram. “The human artistic obsession with self-replication” in regards to performance versus sculpture is something I have never considered as props or furniture, so I had a lot of fun exploring these artifacts.
And that’s all, folks! I would love to know if there is a particular online musing that you revisited and if it inspired you in any way. Thank you all so much for another fruitful, curious year of exploring the web together. I hope your new year brings nourishment, clarity, and movement towards your deepest desires. <3
See you next year!
— Eileen
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.