Aftermath: post-winter thoughts, (re)fresh starts, & other stuff
When you commit to reaching good and meaningful goals, the opposition and challenges to achieve them seem to intensify exponentially.
I laid out some of those goals here and the reasons for my desire to course correct as I call it. Oddly enough, the second I not only restarted this blog last fall after several years of inactivity, but also started publicly sharing the realizations and epiphanies that led to adopting new mindsets and setting goals, it was like someone turned the fire hoses on me.
Apart from whatever challenges I was already dealing with, I’ll simply say that “stuff happened” that multiplied the challenges and pain exponentially in a way that took a massive toll on my state of mind and faith experience. Almost overnight it became exponentially difficult to stay focused. Gym and healthy eating were forgotten entirely. It was almost like I became a different person. The best way to describe this mechanism or dynamic is as an on/off switch in my brain that transcends discipline or motivation. It has a mind of its own.
Overall this unusually cold and wet winter was filled with intense struggle and uncertainty. I share one of those experiences here. Just having a roof over my head and a big and toasty warm bed to sleep in at night were blessings I did not take for granted. I’m still wrestling with some deep faith and existential issues, but generally feeling better. I’m really glad winter is over, and that longer daylight hours are here.
The sunnier weather and longer days do wonders for my state of mind, and I’m ready (as can be) to continue pursuing my goals. I’ve always loved longer sunny days, but as I get older I’m becoming more sensitive to cold and darkness in a way I wasn’t before. This year I want to intentionally/proactively make the most of this spring and summer before heading into another winter.
Even though pursuing my goals got derailed for a time I have not given up. All the ridiculousness I’ve been dealing with is simply reaffirming what I stated in my original posts last year which is that focusing on getting healthy through nutrient dense/whole food nutrition and strength training really is the single best thing anyone can do for their physical, mental, and emotional health and life success. The fact that so much mental/spiritual opposition came my way is an indicator of how worthy and necessary this goal is.
I'll be back on my supplements soon, I just stocked up on my Vivo Life Vegan Protein, and I am ready to start hitting the gym and outdoor walks again. And I want to become even more vigilant and proactive in heading off triggers that seem to activate that on/off switch which always threatens to derail me.
So as we go into spring and (re)fresh starts, here’s what else I’ve been up to, thinking about, loving and not loving….
Stuff I’m loving - MAC Hyper Real Skincare, longer days and more sunshine, and new Vitamin Water Zero because it’s made with stevia and not other junky artificial sweeteners.
Good eats - Sirloin steak with fresh fruit, or celery and carrot sticks. Consuming more raw crunchy veggies are my new thing for more than their nutritional value.
Thinking about - Wondering if it’s time to reevaluate my professional writing endeavors. .
Listening to - The Mel Robbins Podcast, this discussion on theodicy, and this one on the theology of trauma
Watching - King of the Hill on Hulu. I have a newfound appreciation for the Hank Hills of the world in this insane post-pandemic era. Also enjoying season 3 of Ted Lasso on Apple.
Learning - How to cook aforementioned sirloin steak for the first time. I’m getting pretty good at it. Also adjusting mentally to getting my news and magazines digitally on Apple News on my iPad rather than a physical newsstand or bookstore, and many of my reads on Audible instead of hard copies. Bless my crusty Gen X heart.
Reading - Can’t wait to get into this audiobook about the Habsburgs and one of these about the Romanovs. The history of these two imperial families, which the current British royal family have ties to, has always fascinated me. Speaking of the Romanovs, it reminds me of the episode of Frasier where Frasier and Niles think they’re descended from the Romanov family (spoiler: they’re not). If you’re a Frasier fan, this scene from that episode never gets old.
Going viral - My comment on this post of otter Kotaro, the single most adorable otter ever, has a tad over 2,500 likes at the time this blog post is being written. That’s the most engagement and response I’ve had to much of anything I’ve posted publicly on social media in since 2008. Bonus: Kotaro’s eating noises are a whole other level of heart melting cuteness.
Gonna wrap it up here. Here’s to long sunny days and (re)fresh starts as often as we need them.
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