I am one of the people who has a birthday that falls between Christmas and New Year’s Day. I am also headed towards a milestone birthday in 2025. So, I decided that 2025 will be the year of me. A year I focus on each of the 8 components of self-care: mental, physical, intellectual, emotional, social, environmental, financial, and spiritual.

These eight components are so intertwined that I decided it was best to create a plan to work on all 8 areas throughout 2025. Each month I will do at least 1 activity related to each of the eight components with 2 of the areas being the main focus for the month. For January 2025, I have chosen to focus on my physical and spiritual well-being.

For my physical well-being I have several items lined up for January. Dad and I joined the YMCA the second week in December, and I am so proud of the commitment we have made to working out on a regular basis. We plan on continuing our workout 3-4 times a week at the gym in January. We have been warned that the gym will be crowded in January and back to normal by mid-February. I love the EGYM and working out in the pool, both I can do without causing further damage to my knees. In addition to the gym, I have scheduled my well woman check-up and my mammogram for this month.  Finally, I am committed to eating five servings of fruit and vegetables a day.

I am using yoga and meditation to focus on my spiritual well-being. Those of you who personally know me are probably thinking, Glenda doing yoga does not sound like a good idea.  I am starting with chair yoga, because if I did regular yoga, I would probably never get up off the floor. The chair yoga plan I am following takes less than 10 minutes a day, but I find it really helps center me. Meditation is the other tool I am using to prioritize my spiritual well-being. Meditation was something that I tried a few years ago, but I found it impossible to silence my brain for more than a minute or two. I would like to be able to relax my mind and body for 5 minutes each night before bed.

When I read my plan for January, I am filled with hope because I know this plan will push me out of my comfort zone, but it is something I can accomplish during the Year of Me. I plan to enter the next decade of my life with a true understanding of the best version of myself. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Best regards,

Glenda