5 long years ago I wrote a blog about the 31 days in January as a reflection point. Nothing fancy just a glimpse of life. What I might have thought was important at that time. What I might care to revisit later. A simple way to showcase my mindset at the beginning of year. Just a recap.
Now that I am sitting here five years later I'm a little amazed and feeling fancy. I'm cataloging my life story as it unfolds. Moments I might have forgotten about are captured here in this blog. Five years is a long time. A lot of personal growth. A lot of loss. Many challenges. Many more triumphant moments. As I type away on my keyboard I will once again leave you will a list of 31 moments from my reel of life and some wisdom to go along with it as a bonus. I also love a good calendar humor to start each morning with breakfast. See photo below:
Don't underestimate the power of starting your day with an out-of-the-box comment or thought to ponder. It gets you stirred up for the day. A little spark. Leverage technology and share with friends near and far and boom you have some instant memories to share. This is my little new year's tip to you. I'm on about year three for flip calendar fun with friends. We all love it and love to see what new calendars we all start with in January. One day I'll have my own I'm sure. May be just whispering that to the universe now. Stay tuned.
- Rehabbed a property in short order
- Listed and closed on property in 14 days
The above is nuts for a timeline. A little bit of luck. A lot of hard work. A positive mindset. An ability to engage resources was all critical. This will to date be one of my favorite quick projects to be a part of. However when I looked back in 2019 I was moving and shaking in real estate as well. A little irony.
- I began training as a distance runner.
- I logged a lot of miles.
- I hit personal bests running.
I don't like to run but I opted to give myself a goal that would be challenging. I committed to tracking along the way to document the success and/or failures. So far so good. I'm not injured. I'm running happy. I'm confident in my progress. I've had a lot of personal growth this month as I pound the pavement with my Clydesdale-like body.
- I did some fundraising for local sports.
- I did tax paperwork for business/personal.
- I paid bills.
- I worked out: CrossFit, pickleball & tennis.
These four items on the list are redundant for the most part. Requirements that surface with the new year. Never fun. Always boring and can be hard in different ways. I put in the work nonetheless. That's the rule follower in me and consistent behavior girl.
- Made time for family & friends.
- Checked in on those who are sick or challenged in life at the moment.
- Took some time off for just me.
- Bought some new shoes, of course.
Last year I had a lot of loss to reflect on. People who passed on. This year it seems more about health in general. Mental health issues for some. Serious medical conditions for others. Covid and flu hitting others very hard. I'm more worried about the longevity of some around me this year. Maybe that's better than loss but the worry part I could do without.
- I met some new people.
- I traveled by plane.
- I experienced new things.
- I floated in my hot tub on cold days.
- And boy was it cold this month.
- I signed up for a half marathon.
- I signed up for a DEKA Fit competition.
Competing has been on my January logs in previous years as I usually sign up for the CrossFit Open. Which I did again this year for year #8 however, I'm also doing other events to diversify. Look at me! Fit and fabulous over fifty. How nifty is that?
- I would like to have more sunshine in January. My older skin needs the warmth of the sun more so than rain and cold.
- I played with my dogs a lot. A real comfort point these days. Many hours with my dogs alone just enjoying each other's company. Nothing more loyal than a fur friend. They usually even follow you willingly to the bathroom!
- I played the lottery. Not something I usually do but felt compelled to give it a go. I didn't win. No surprise.
- I said farewell to a workout buddy and work partner. Not gone gone but far enough away to say it's bye for now.
- I started mentally preparing for my big trip to Greece this year. Started the countdown now that 2024 is here.
- I also have a digital countdown for many other flagship events over the years. They seem to be stacked one on top of each over. This just means 2025 will be here before I know it.
- I reviewed at a quick glance my list from 2019, 2020 and 2021 just to see what's different, if anything. Interesting task.
- I thought about what big moments I will have this year. Both planned and unplanned. Gives me a little excitement to think about the possibilities.
- I thought a lot about retirement. A new one for me. Where will I want to go. What will I want to do. When is the right time. What is the exit strategy. So many choices.
- What's next? The dreamer in me asks. Ponders. Deliberates. Creates. Scribbles. Draws. Plans. Thinks some more. Ah the beauty of dreaming what can be. Then making it be reality. We all have that opportunity but many won't take the chance on themselves. I do daily.
- Me. Just me. For once I'm thinking about me. My kids are adults. They are charting their paths. My significant other likes his things. I like mine. I'm doing more of my likes and wants. Filling those desires that maybe went on the back burner while other priorities were front and center.
This is me. Over the 50 year mark. Some don't make it to this point. I'm looking ahead next year, 5 years, and beyond. Whether I get there or not is not the question. It's what will I get to do before my time here is done.
I'm doing all that I can in the time I have left. I'll report back next January but in the meantime enjoy my interim blogs and look for publications in the future because writing is just a part of my journey.
Feeling flirty.
Feeling fun.
Feeling fulfilled.
Feeling festive.
Feeling free.
It's great to be in my world this January.
Wonder what you would put on your list of 31? Give it a try. You might surprise yourself. You might get to thinking it's time to do something exciting with life.
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