New Year, New You - explained

February 7, 2025

Yesterday I introduced a challenge I participated in. In today's post I'll share the results of that challenge.

12/31 - For 3-4 years I've been in cold water. By shower or cold plunge,so this was not new. The purpose is that each day it starts with this uncomfortable thing. Setting a base line to do hard things or to not shy away from them.

1/1 - my 2024 fell short of my own standards. My code. This letter was 7 pages and burning the list was to let it go and provide relief.

1/2 - my word for 2025 is concentration. All things will go through this word as a filter.

1/3 - visiting a cemetery doesn't seem life changing. But it is. It informs us where we all end up. It shows us that someone's net worth is not carved into the stone. I observed that what is carved in stone is, "Mother, Father, Sibling..." or virtues the deceased lived by, "love, patience, generosity..."

1/4 - my bedtime I picked is 9pm. I'm an early riser and securing a bedtime helps ensure I get plenty of rest.

1/5 - 10-10-10 push ups, sit ups & squats. Simply, to have some sort of physical practice. Even when I feel I don't have time, 10-10-10 takes no time at all.

1/6 - my go-to meal is avocado toast, with roasted tomatoes. Don’t know what to eat? No longer a concern. This helps eliminate junk or fast food.

1/7 - I told a childhood friend I was thinking of them. It's been years that we've communicated.

1/8 - I journal daily but I don't always express gratitude and so I began. This helps remind me there is goodness within me and within others. Even though that may not always be true. Also, it helps see how good I actually have it. I also started telling others about my gratitude towards them.

1/9 - I abandoned photography as a hobby. I picked that back up with an analog/film point and shoot camera.

1/10 - a long walk with no devices, to clear the mind and body. This was a great reset, mind cleanse and unplug from the world.

1/11 - no phone for 24 hours? Was easier than I thought. Moreover, I felt in control and since, I look at my phone much less.

1/12 - I quit "X" as the social network to dump. That one is self-explanatory.

1/13 - I have a friend in New Hampshire. He and I hand type letters on typewriters to each other. Quotes, life, things we are going through and encouragement to each other. Thank you RJT!

1/14 - to steel-man something I disagree with means to look at what I disagree with and focus on the other person or groups perspective. I looked at using debt as a form of living, whole life insurance and newly elected (2nd term) President Trump. I think debt is dumb, I prefer term-life insurance and Trump is the worst human to ever be President...twice.

1/15 - my good turn in the community was paying for the order behind me in line and giving a gift card with a hot meal to a homeless person. Obviously here the point is to think of the greater whole not just myself.

1/16 - Eliminate a velvet rut, is to stop something that I do or areas that are too comfortable, too consistent and too predictable and cut it. So for the day I slept in since getting up early I'm consistent with and I had no coffee for a 24-hour period. I love coffee.

1/17 - I researched Puerto Rico, its history and its history with the USA. I and my family are from there. While I knew some details, this research highlighted how resilient my people are. How strong and courageous.

And, its relationship with the US.

1/18 - I volunteered to clean head stones at the cemetery. I noticed when I visited on 1/3 how dirty they can get.

1/19 - my ambitious work to immerse myself in this year is about self-mastery. I'll read books/ look at research to support how someone arrives here.

1/20 - I wrote someone a letter expressing many things I've held in and wrote many times, “ I Love You.”

1/21 - Last will & Testament; I already have one. Here I ensured I knew where it was and that it was up to date. I will die. Someone needs direction to what happens to my money, assets, personal belongings and children.

1/22 - Eliminate a mindless time suck... I review email only once per day now. Not before 10 am and not after 3 pm.

1/23 - there is a plot of land behind my daughters school and I used that as my forest bath. To get lost in the trees, in nature, had a great way of reminding me of finding time for stillness. I sat on a log for 30 minutes and just observed the inadvertent beauty around me.

1/24 - review my personal financial budget. I do this weekly and monthly. Here, this practice is taking inventory of what you have and what decisions you have to make.