for a better life in the new year

I’m not gonna lie, I’m not looking forward to December 30, the 2nd anniversary of one of the worst fires Colorado, and the US, has seen. It was a challenging day last year and will likely be this year, not the least because our house still isn’t put back together safely (as so many folks’ smoke damaged houses aren’t). Many families who lost homes are moving into new homes though, there’s building everywhere, and for that I’m profoundly grateful.

It hasn’t been a particularly healthy time for me. I spent quite a lot of time ruining my health after the fire, from breathing in contaminants from the fire, trying to still recover from long covid last year, drinking too much, eating out all the time while living in a hotel during repairs, to fussing over my food at our lake home, which has always been a vacation spot but now has become more of a home base.

I’d say I’m looking forward to next year but the world is insane and it’s a presidential election year, maybe our last actual election year ever. I was (am) overweight, have a lot of physical pain and emotional agony, and I’m still not writing like I was pre-covid.

However, I’ve got books to write and life to live. And goddamnit, I want to live it well.

I’ve already started doing yoga and walking most days. My deal with myself is to do at least 10 or 15 min on the mat a day, after tea and before anything else. I’m already finding myself push myself with my poses. Breathing through stretching is just plain good for you and gives you automatic calming tools. Yoga trains your posture and strengthens your core without a bunch of situps and crunches. Balance poses will keep you from falling and increase your spatial awareness— I’m a total clutz and in a few weeks I’ve seen massive improvement in my balance. Yoga is everyday literal freaking magic.

YOGA WITH ADRIENE does 30 days of free yoga in January on youtube. I'll be doing it. I promise your body will feel transformed even if you can't do every pose for whatever reason. If that doesn’t work, she’s got years of free yoga sessions on there.

Walking is great and it makes my dog soooo happy. Walking works for me. I’m not training for the Boston marathon, just want to keep my body operational. I don’t count steps but try to be gone like a half hour at least. I even bought a giant sleeping bag puffer coat to wear when it’s cold!

I'm becoming increasingly convinced that a diet that leans to protein and fiber (from veg to bread and grains) supports good health. Not a rigorous diet. An 80% diet. A low B diet that includes party food and Christmas cookies and alcohol because beer is the nectar of the gods. The book YOU CANT SCREW THIS UP has the latest research based info on nutrition with simplified, math-free ways to manage your diet. No writing down what you eat all the time, skipping what you love (cheese!) or counting calories or macros, whatever those are. I definitely am not hungry following it.

I can manage that.

The third component is water. I always think if you feel some joint pain in particular, drink a ton of water for a day and see if it doesn’t improve. I’m sensing a lot of my issues have to do with dehydration. Pretty easy, that one.

Mentally I have two books lined up, one to give to my agent in January that I’m working on now. I also have a short story I’d like to revisit and finish, and a potential project with a partner.

Oh and lets not destroy democracy while we’re at it, either.

What are you up to for 2024?