2023: The yr of me

Final night time, for the third Wednesday in a row, I ventured to the Whiteside Theater in downtown Corvallis to observe an outdated film. Two weeks in the past, it was Nationwide Lampoon’s Christmas Trip. Final week, it was It is a Fantastic Life. And yesterday was Star Wars. The place was packed! So enjoyable to observe a favourite movie in an outdated theater with a few hundred different followers.

I’ve additionally been watching many motion pictures at residence currently. I lastly have the time. In keeping with Letterboxd, I’ve seen seventeen movies in December. I watched 9 in November. I get pleasure from exploring the nooks and crannies of cinema. (I extremely suggest Letterboxd, by the best way. I have been utilizing it to log my film watching for 2 years, and I can now not think about not utilizing it.)

My days have been busy, too.

Within the mornings, as at all times, I stroll the canine. These days, although, we have been taking longer walks: 90 minutes, two hours. A part of it’s because I’ve embarked upon a loopy mission to map each Little Free Library and farmstand on the town [my map]. However a bigger half is as a result of I’m, eventually, prioritizing health once more.

A few of chances are you’ll recall that I misplaced forty kilos throughout COVID. I used to be pleased with my health going into 2021, however then I acquired sidetracked by promoting a home, shopping for a home, and a really shitty 2022. I fell into my unhealthy behavior of stress consuming. I did not do any train. I gained fifty kilos — all the things I might misplaced in 2020 and extra. Nicely, for the previous three weeks I have been each exercising and consuming proper. I am again on the health club. In January, I am becoming a member of some buddies for a 30-day yoga problem.

To make it simpler to make wholesome decisions with meals, I’ve slowly been re-vamping our kitchen. We have lived on this home for fifteen months now, so we’ve got a greater thought of the place totally different kitchen instruments ought to dwell. Plus, after greater than a decade with Kim, I’ve determined it is time to ditch a few of our outdated kitchen stuff (a few of which we have owned because the Nineties!) and improve to higher instruments. I now personal three good knives, and so they’re a pleasure to make use of.

In the meantime, after eighteen months of speaking about artwork, I’ve begun to dabble in it. Not a lot, however some. Earlier this month, I began a every day artwork journal. I am taking part in with pens and drawing types. I purchased an inexpensive watercolor set and am having enjoyable taking part in with that. After I’m not watching motion pictures, I am usually watching artwork instruction on YouTube.

Plus, I am doing different enjoyable stuff. I am studying books and comics. I am spending extra time with buddies — each on Zoom and in Actual Life.

In brief, December has been my greatest month in a very long time. I’ve been main a values-driven life and it exhibits. I can really feel it. The folks round me can really feel it to.

However discover what’s not on that record. What am I not doing? Writing about cash. Since my mom died in early October, I have been on a deliberate three-month sabbatical. It is clear that I wanted it. It is also clear that I most likely want extra time to myself. Like all of 2023.

I discussed earlier this month that I need to make 2023 the 12 months of J.D. And it is true. That is precisely what I’ll do. I’ll prioritize doing what I need once I need it. I do not imply this in some hedonistic manner. I imply it in a “pursuing that which fulfills me” manner. Does that make sense?

My primary precedence for the approaching yr is to give attention to health. Kim and I are doing this collectively for the primary time since we met at Crossfit, and it feels superior to be on the identical web page. It is a lot simpler to do that as a crew. Together with train and well being consuming, I am additionally addressing some lingering well being points: blood strain, sleep apnea, and so on.

My quantity two precedence for 2023 is to proceed constructing (and re-building) friendships right here in Corvallis. Though I establish as an introvert, it is clear that I am not. I want social interplay, and I have never been getting sufficient of it. I am engaged on it.

My third precedence for the subsequent twelve months is to dive into artwork. I’ve struggled to start out for a few causes.

• First, I do not know the place to start out. I am a whole novice. I’ve by no means achieved something creative in my life. (Nicely, not completely true. In junior excessive, a buddy and I used to attract our personal comedian books, however that was child stuff.)
• Second, I do not know what sort of artwork to pursue. Do I need to draw? Do I need to paint? One thing else completely?

This month, I’ve stopped eager about these kinds of questions and as a substitute begun doing no matter I need with pens and paint. The one manner to determine the place to go is to attempt issues. Plus, I am being attentive to what excites me. Comics excite me, clearly, and at all times have. However I am additionally realizing that I like what I might name “mid-century spot illustration” model: heavy brush strokes, type of cartoony.

A closing precedence is to resolve which tasks to pursue round the home. Kim and I moved right here on the finish of August 2021. We love Corvallis, and we all know that is the place we need to dwell. Our home is completely wonderful, however…it is not good. (No home ever is.) After “losing” $150,000+ making modifications to our final home then transferring after 4 years, I am extra cautious right here. If we keep, I am prepared to spend cash and energy to enhance issues. But when we do not, I do not need to expend the sources.

So, Kim and I have to decide: Will we decide to staying at this place for, say, a decade or so? Or will we agree that it is solely a brief place? If we are going to remain, then I’ve a few tasks I need to sort out virtually instantly. I need rework a toilet — perhaps two. And I need to give the again yard a serious overhaul. (The “bones” of the yard are strong, however the area is overgrown with ferns and weeds after almost a decade of neglect.)

So, these are my plans for 2023. Once more, discover how Get Wealthy Slowly will not be on this record.

I can not resolve what to do about Get Wealthy Slowly. What position does it play in my life? Does it play a task in my life?

That is half of a bigger query about what position I need the web (and computer systems themselves, actually) to play in my life. Over the previous few years, it is develop into clear that for me (as with many others, I do know) the web offers simply as many issues because it does options. And, actually, I think that my latest struggles with psychological well being have been exacerbated by the web. Even perhaps brought on by the web.

One possibility is to easily minimize the wire fully and stroll away. Promote the location. Surrender writing about cash eternally. Think about it a part of my life and transfer on. There are a number of upsides to this alternative, I will admit. However I am not satisfied it is the best choice. What if I find yourself regretting the choice? What if I do resolve I need a spot to speak about cash once more?

Moreover, there are two large causes I need to maintain Get Wealthy Slowly (or, maybe, Cash Boss in its stead). For one, I actually do need to create a web-based encyclopedia of private finance, a spot uncluttered by adverts and analytics and bullshit, a spot the place folks can get dependable, unbiased cash data. Second, and maybe extra importantly, I am a author. I categorical myself by phrases. I get pleasure from having an outlet to share what I am feeling. Similar to this!

So, I equivocate.

I commute.

I believe and I believe and I take into consideration the most effective course to take.

However what? It isn’t a choice I’ve to make proper now. Proper now, the most effective factor is to easily do what I have been doing. It appears to be working. December has been all about me and my wants, and that is what 2023 shall be too.

Within the coming yr, I’ll give attention to health. I’ll proceed exploring artwork and watching motion pictures. I am going to hang around with buddies. In the end, I’ll journey once more. (I have already got plans to go to Colorado, Mexico, Greece, Ecuador, and extra!) I’ll spend time with Kim and our beasts. I’ll learn. I’ll cook dinner.

And occasionally — for now, at the very least — I will drop by Get Wealthy Slowly to share what I have been pondering and doing.

Blissful holidays, everybody. I will see you subsequent yr.