Last Year
Sometimes I wonder if doing these recap posts at this point are masturbatory. Fun for me but probably of little interest or at most, an awkward glance by passersby. It’s nice to have a record but if I need to journal, I have one of those. But here we go anyway…
As I predicted a year ago, 2024 was a year of progress.
Turned 50
The big milestone for 2024 was turning 50. Where I don’t normally make a big deal out of my birthdays, it was fun to go all out for once. Mentally, it felt both the same and different. There’s a different feel to saying I’m 40-something versus saying I’m 50. I know it’s all in my head but I have found myself saying “I’m old” more often. Add in all the noises I make trying to stand up and complaining about my back and I’d say I’m a downright cliché. I chuckle when I go out with my high school buddies and we’re all struggling with our declining eyesight, unable to see the menus in dimly lit restaurants. I find 5pm to be the best time to go for dinner, by the way.
Mental Health
My mental health has been an issue for a number of years and I, thankfully, found a therapist a couple years ago that has been a good fit. But it has taken time to drill down through the issues, where they’re from, and learn how to deal with them. Progress isn’t overnight and it isn’t linear, as much as I would’ve preferred it to be.
However, I have reached a level of calmness that has made it easier to deal with the chaos of life. I mentioned to my therapist this week that this past year was more peaceful and he helped me clarify that it wasn’t that my life was peaceful, but that I am more at peace, emotionally. That lack of reactiveness makes it much easier to be present.
Physical Health
Physically, I’m in about the same place. I haven’t lost weight or gained weight. I keep thinking I’ll exercise more and it doesn’t happen. Not sure that will change in 2025! Although as things possibly settle into routine, I might finally put in the focus I need to not only build a regular exercise routine, but better eating habits, too. An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.
The Kids Are Alright
My oldest son moved out in the summer and while I had some trepidation, he’s 20 years old and I trusted him to take on that responsibility—not that I had much choice. Sure enough, he has done well and I’m proud of him. He orchestrated Christmas Day and it was nice to have everybody over for the day for the first time since his mom and I divorced. Divorce means making choices and one of them was for my ex to have the kids Christmas Day and I would have them on New Years. Whether that was a good thing or bad thing is hard to say. We all make decisions that we think are best at the time.
My youngest is in his last year of high school and has turned the weekly back and forth between his mom’s place and mine into month-long stretches. I appreciate those long stretches with him at my place, knowing that he may soon be off to college and out on his own by the end of summer.
Travel
I completed a couple bucket lists in 2024 and haven’t created new ones yet, which meant that travel wasn’t nearly as plentiful as it had been in previous years. Where I had 1K status on United for a few years, I only hit Gold status for 2025. Without bucket lists driving me here, there, and everywhere, it means that this year isn’t likely to have much travel, either. And I am okay with that.
Projects
At the beginning of the year, I had started diving into Swift development but after some frustration, I set it aside. Instead, over the year, I put together a couple fun personal web projects that were very satisfying to complete.
At the end of the year, I contemplated working with some folks on an AI-related project but being required to be in the office deterred me from accepting the offer. If the right opportunity with the right company happens, I’m open to it.
Open to the Public
For better or for worse, I continue to struggle with what to put out into the larger world. In some ways, not needing to promote a personal brand has me questioning what I want to publish. Brief ideas of becoming a social media influencer around whiskey or fine dining have gone to the wayside. I closed a handful of accounts that I was no longer logging into, including Twitter, Flickr, and Glass. Preserving my username on platforms is no longer a concern as it had once been, saving me the energy of jumping onto new platforms by the dozen.
Having my public life turned into private strife has made me less interested in putting myself out there. Vague-booking can be entertaining for some but I think I’d prefer to avoid it.
I like staying connected with friends and family and am unsure how best to maintain those connections, given all the possible ways to do so. It’s not just about where I post my updates, it’s also about where I stay informed of other people’s updates. If everybody could just start up their own blog, I’d be all set.
Summary
I can’t predict what this year will hold and summarize it in a word. Change will happen, that’s for sure. I’m excited for the year ahead but know that life can always throw some curveballs.