week of 1/8/24 – 1/14/24

Welcome to my first weekly roundup of 2024! Each week, I take some time acknowledging the things and experiences that brought me joy. I compile a short list of these events and post them here.

I find myself sometimes forgetting what I did in a day or a week. Keeping a list helps me remind myself of the good that happens in an otherwise normal week. I hope you enjoy these lists; I’m looking forward to writing more of them in 2024!

Let’s get into the good of the second week of the year:

trying new things

It can be difficult to step out of your comfort zone. I know I get nervous whenever I go to a new place or meet up with someone new. I went to school and worked from home for almost the last three years. I have no idea how to be a real person anymore!

I gathered my courage and went to a new workout class. Going to a new gym or fitness studio can be incredibly anxiety inducing when you don’t know where the equipment is or how they operate. I decided to schedule myself for a barre class and set out.

Barre is a mix of yoga, Pilates, and ballet. And boy did I get my butt kicked! I’m always severely humbled during group fitness instruction. I strength train on a near daily basis, so I tend to walk into these things feeling pretty confident. However, my lack of cardio endurance and core strength always catches up to me!

I had the best time at this class. The vibes were fantastic. Everyone was so kind and chatty. People came up to me after class and said I did amazing. It was an incredibly uplifting experience. I will have to make my way back over there soon!

cozying up with games

The mood for this week: avoiding the blustery cold. With below freezing temperatures and plenty of snow, my plan was to stay as cozy as possible inside.

I recently picked up a controller to connect to my PC and it has been the best thing ever. No longer am I hunching at my keyboard while playing games that do not require keyboard/mouse precision. I can finally sit back and let my shoulders rest.

I finished playing Smushi Come Home, which was an adorable exploration adventure game. Play as the cutest little mushroom, and help him get home! The game kind of reminds me a bit of A Short Hike. I’ve found I really enjoy the exploration genre; it might be a new favorite of mine!

at home reading retreats

And to cap off the wintry weekend, I had an at home reading retreat with my partner. We spent the weekend surrounded by fun snacks, blankets, and books! I ended up reading 717 pages, and completed two books.

I love having at home reading retreats. You can’t always pack up your things and read in a cabin every weekend. I’m actively writing up a blog post about how I make a great at home reading retreat. I can’t wait to share soon!

Have a fantastic third week of the year. Keep up the great work, and stay cozy!