New Year's

I have reached a turning point in my life -- 2023 has been a major eye opener for me in so many ways. I've gotten a lot of indicators about where my life is going regarding my career, my health, my relationships, my friends, my place on earth, etc. Here's what I've gotten...

1) I am not going to work in pharmacy any longer than I conceivably have to. I am going to fast-track getting my business up and running. I am going to make it work. I'm taking workshops in metalsmithing, enameling, and setting business models, finances, etc. these next few months. When I wake up every morning and don't think I can survive another day there, that's a big sign that I am in the wrong field.

2) My health needs to improve. I need to eat healthier and exercise more. I'm going to start small and work my way up. Start with eating more unprocessed foods and walking. I have a tendency to go hogwild and push myself to the max in workouts, which is sometimes a good thing, but not if you're just getting back into fitness. So yeah, I won't do that this time LOL. If I don't do something soon, I'm afraid I'm going to end up diabetic and with bad cholesterol levels like my dad. The doctors are now discussing putting him on Ozempic-- if his insurance will pay for it and if the pharmacy can keep it in stock. Good luck with all that, I told him.

3) Marriage and kids is not for me. I kept deluding myself and thinking maybe I just haven't met the right guy yet. But no... I am too solitary, too independent, and too set in my ways. And I don't like kids because they are rude, their noses run, and they're stupid LOL. If someone doesn't like kids, they shouldn't have kids. Simple as that. My parents will just have to accept that if they want gradnchildren, they can pester my sis.

4) My friends are THE BEST-- I will hold on to them for as long as I can, because although I don't have many, the ones I do have are worth their weight in gold. I'd rather have that any day than a ton of facebook friends I've never actually met.

5) My place on earth is not here. And by here, I mean the suburbs of Denver. I have this recurring dream of living in the mountains in a small house with a separate garage or shed for my studio, a henhouse, a garden, and an apple tree, with a lovable big dog and at least a few cats, my truck in the driveway, just blissfully remote and peaceful. The more I think of it, the more I consider moving to Alaska-- I probably would if it weren't for #4 above LOL. I'm going to start researching places in the mountains where I would actually LIKE to live.

So yeah, that's what I've learned this past year. As I said, 2023 was dropping a shitload of hints my way... I decided to shut up and listen. And 2024 will be the year I make some serious changes. Wish me luck!!!

Wow, no spouse, no kids -- you're free to do anything and go nearly anywhere!

Sugar / diabetes definitely is something to avoid. Exercise and a diet full of unprocessed foods is a great way to do that!

Good luck!

If you push to the max in a workout all of a sudden, you risk being injured and then not being able to do anything at all for months and months. Much better to go slowly. Walking is a great idea and probably the best. A recumbent bike is another good way to exercise safely if you have access to it. You also need resistance training. You need a mix of cardio, resistance (strength) and flexibility. I hope you won't end up diabetic and with high cholesterol.

Walking is actually turrning out to not be the best idea for me, because it is aggravating my plantar fasciitis. I would much prefer swimming… less stress on my feet and my joints. I just have to coordinate a good time to do it, which should be doable. And thank you, but I know about the components of a successful workout— when I was severely anorexic and bulimic I worked for Curves.

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I love swimming and walking in water

I've always preferred the Elliptical machines for cardiovascular exercise at the gym.

I have a bicycle; in fact I used to bike to work occasionally (40 years ago).

But the roads are more dangerous than ever with distracted folks driving multi-ton vehicles in a rush to reach their destination

Good luck with your aims - I too am taking the small changes approach to fitness and diet.