Adventure 52 - Welcome to 2025

Content Warnings: Pet loss and exercise.

Well, of course a lot has happened since the last time I posted, which is true for everyone. We've collectively been through a lot.   

Unfortunately last year, sweet Tripsie passed away, and for the first time in 25 years I've been without a cat. I miss her very much, but in my 30's I became allergic to cats, so, thinking very hard about where to go from here, and also hoping to do some travel while we wouldn't need a house-sitter.

Today I want to talk about goals.

Every year, many of us come up with goals and resolutions, which fizzle out.  In the past I've tried to come up with big goals with smaller actionable items but I don't do the best at keeping up with them, and then I simply let them fall away.

So this year, after the universe put it in my face in about 5 different places (one of which was Rachael Herron's Patreon post from which I got the title for this) I've decided to just do 3 tiny little things I want to do each week which will help me feel better.

Copying my comment on Rachael's post:

1. Take myself out - go outside for a walk, to a park, to the gym, or to the local bookstore/coffee shop and read or (do #3) 2. Work through new calisthenics book - to get stronk and healthier. it's 6 movements with multiple ranges of adaptations for your ability, and when to progress. I want to work through all 6 movements every week and track my progress. 3. Listen to 2 new to me songs. I want to start with bands I love from Eurovision and check out other songs of theirs.

#1 is something I need to do because I've become a full time working from home person who has practically gone feral when it comes to leaving my house and interacting with other people in the real world. It's like a muscle I've let atrophy so I need to work at it.  

#2 Speaking of muscles, I also have let my body become all too accustomed to being sedentary, and I get tired easily.  I believe all body shapes and sizes are wonderful and I believe we all can find a way to find joy in movement and the outdoors.  Right now I can barely go for a short walk in my neighborhood.  

I asked for and received this book for Christmas. As I said above there are 6 simple body weight exercises, requiring no equipment, just your body and the wall or floor.  Each has a recommended starting point for difficulty and number of repetitions, with how to modify and when to progress.  I'm doing 2 movements a day, 3 days a week to complete all 6. It barely takes 2-3 minutes.

I'm using my Hobonichi Weeks to keep track of these, and after just 1 week rotation since Christmas my back already feels better. 

#3 Each year my Spotify Wrapped is nearly identical.  So, this year I'm making a Playlist of songs new to me. I will listen to 2 each week.  I started off with Eurovision bands I liked, some bands I'll see this year, and then dug through some friends and streamers playlists that they've shared.  I figure I shouldn't add it all now, but leave room for actual new music released next year.  

Listening to music always makes me feel better, and hopefully adding new things to the rotation if I like them will keep my horizons expanding.

I've also been using the Finch App, which will help me to remember to do these things even if I forget to look at my Weeks.

Be safe, and take care of eachother. 

Jadie