2022

As someone on Twitter said, “I didn’t know 2020 was going to be a trilogy.”

Florida had more than 75k new COVID cases on Friday. Yes, you read that right; SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND. In one day. And that’s just the officially recorded count; what’s the actual number? 10x more? 100x? We really don’t know. My county sent out a text notice that test kits were available and five minutes later sent another text saying never mind, they’re all gone. We have no functional state plan – Florida’s official position is to pretend nothing is happening.

And while I was writing this, my elderly neighbor called me to let me know that she and her husband both tested positive. He’s 80, she’s I think 78 or 79, both have a number of health problems. I THINK they’re vaccinated, but they’re Republicans so who knows?

So, 2022 is off to a rousing start!

Let’s talk about coping skills. I realized in the last couple of months that I seriously need to fix myself. I’ve gained 10 lbs in the last year, a combination of that badly sprained ankle that made it really hard to walk for exercise for many weeks, followed by absolutely brutal weather for months that made outdoor exercise impossible, plus working at home and stress eating (and of course, bears).

I’ve also been drinking waay too much wine, which is probably the main reason for another 10 lbs on top of the 15 I keep saying I’m going to lose. I’m tired and cranky and have fallen into a bad habit of sitting at my desk all day then shifting my ever-increasing ass to the couch to spend the evening with wine and mindless TV. That needs to change. I will be going back to the office eventually, and I am not exaggerating when I say that nothing in my closet fits right now.

I’ve been working on changing my evil ways before the traditional day of fresh starts. I’ve been eating better and meditating and going to bed earlier, etc., but now that the holiday temptations are gone, along with the prosecco, it’s time to really focus on changing my ways.

Every year the Queen of YouTube yoga does a “30 Day Journey” series to kick off the year, and every year I start with good intentions, do a few days, then she schedules a session that is over 45 minutes long on a weekday and I don’t have time to do it so I skip it, then I skip another…and you know the rest.

I was happy to see that this year’s series doesn’t have any sessions longer than about half an hour, and I can do half an hour. God knows I spend more than that each day just sitting on my ass staring at a screen.

I did Day One today (Jan 1 is an intro video) and OMG, I struggled, and it wasn’t even anything that challenging! I am glad I was doing it in the privacy of my living room because it definitely was NOT pretty. It also proved how much I need to do this program.

I am seriously out of shape. I now have a permanently bum ankle. It doesn’t bother me 90% of the time, but when I walk long distances (or do yoga) I am reminded that it really was badly sprained last year. It’s nearly normal, but not quite, and I should have been exercising it more regularly to help it heal. My knees have always been shit, but now I have two bum knees and a touchy ankle, and all my creaky old parts spend way too much time in a chair. That HAS TO CHANGE.

I am committed to daily yoga, a minimum daily 30 minute walk, and watching what I eat (and drink), because 2021 was the year that smacked me upside the head and made me face that I ain’t getting any younger. I want to be in great shape for a life beyond spreadsheets and meetings, one of these days.