Hi December! Grab a cup of coffee and let's sit down for a little chat, shall we?
You were definitely one of the more surprising months.
I had set out in the beginning of the month to really lean into this month and all the Christmas fun that could be had and I think I accomplished that the best I could.
Some of the original holiday themed plans for this month did not happen but that was okay; don't get me wrong, I was sad and upset but I knew it was for the better. The Asbury Park Santa Run was something I had been looking forward to for a long time and when the day came, I didn't know how I was going to feel not running it but when I found out my bib number went to an adorable little girl who ran the furthest she had ever run (in the rain and cold too!), that made me really happy.
My parents and I spent almost every weekend, driving around looking at lights and looking for Santa. We had so much fun and it brought me back to my childhood when we used to do the same thing. The only thing that was missing was me in my pajamas and subsequently falling asleep in the backseat. Daddy and I patiently waited for almost 2 hours for Santa to come around on a firetruck earlier in the month. We must have been the two oldest kids on the route that night; there is just something so magical about that. I am glad I like in an area where that still happens.
We found such great Christmas events around our town; from Waretown's drive through lights to Jake's Branch Park drive through lights; then driving around different neighborhoods and running into Santa at Jersey Mike's. My favorite had to be our afternoon spent at Hook's Bar in Seaside eating and having a holiday drink while Santa was taking photos with all who wanted one. I swear I took photos with at least FOUR different Santa's this year. It was comical and it made me laugh. I love leaning into silly things like that!
For Christmas gifts at the office, I decided to go the food route this year and donuts from the Waretown Bakery were a HUGE hit! Who doesn't love getting donuts?! I was really happy Mommy suggested that idea because I was kind of tired giving hand soap out. (Who doesn't love hand soap too?!)
Outside of our holly jolly time, I spent a lot of time reflecting on what had happened the month before. I was sad but also proud; proud that I had entered my villain era this year and I wasn't standing anymore for things that were not right in my life. I have come to have acceptance for what had happened, and it will always be a part of my story, I can't erase that but I can learn and grow from it. That is one thing I would like to take into 2023 with me- standing up for myself. I remembered this quote from Greek and I felt it's really applicable " Some love stories are short stories, but they are all love stories."
I have also been thinking a lot about how I want 2023 to look for me. What I am taking with me, what I am leaving behind, what I am trying to create or manifest, what I will be working on, what I will strive to be. As cliche as it sounds, a new year is filled with unlimited possibilities and I really can't wait to see what happens next, with my life, my blog, my job, my adventures. I am turning 35 next month and while it's crazy to think about, I am happy about the adventures I have been on that have gotten me to this point.
ONE really exciting thing that happened this month was I hit another one of my savings goals! I wasn't supposed to get to this point for a few months but I did it early! WAHOOO! I had to mention that because 2019 me, is SO proud of what I have saved and 2022 is grateful for the opportunity I have to save so much! YAY!
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Goal Update
I moved 13ish out of 31 days this month (Move at least 3 times a week)
I spent 10ish hours outside (Spend 1000 hours outside this year)
I tried to show kindness all month (being the best version of myself) and it really boosted my mood those days when I was extra kind.
I was a smidge creative at all this month. (I made my ugly sweater and wrapped some gifts)
License Plate Game
ONE new one!! It was NORTH DAKOTA by total luck! Still looking for Wyoming and New Mexico. I have a few days left and I'm so curious to see if I can find them!
Climbing
I climbed 1 time this month! I climbed 5 different routes over the session. The ranged from V0 to V1. I was a bit scared to actually climb. I had gone to yoga at GV earlier in the month and I chickened out. I really just need to go for it and get up on the wall; that's what I did at the end of the month, it was the beladies event and I just stuffed my hands in my chalk bag and went. My knees were shaking and I might have climbed up half way then back down on a few routes but I did complete 4 out of the 5 routes, each two times. The most proud moment was figuring out the V1 green with these tube like holds. It wasn't so much that it went vertical but it went across and figuring it out gave me a little confidence boost, especially after falling from it twice previously. I look forward to climbing more and taking the opportunity before yoga to go climb.
Exercise
I went to the gym 6 times this month AND ran a 5K AND a chilly 2 hour walk outside! I was really excited with my time for the 5K especially since it was the first time I had run outside in the cold. It was nice to get out and walk on the Rail Trail with Adrienne and Evie Pink!
I decided to tried to incorporate more weight training this month. I did cardio (walking, rower, stairmaster) and used a kettlebell most of the time. I want to get back to my old way of exercising with my little index cards listing the exercises; I started that a bit this month and I hope to hone the best exercises for me and give myself some variety. I am also hoping to start to use the machines more. I am slightly intimidated by them, even though I know how to use a good bunch of them. That is next month's goal.
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Did you miss any of my posts from this month? Find them below:
friYAY Favorites | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
WGJ Travels: #OOTD | PCB Recap
WGJ: Christmas Edition (2022 Verison) | 2022 Review | #36 | Best of 2022 |
| Random #11 | Jingle Bells 5K Recap | Weekend Rewind | Christmas Lights | 20 Years of Missing You | Happy Winter Solstice | CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA | Christmas Card Reveal | Merry Christmas | What's Up Wednesday | Diary #36 |
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Lastly, I am looking forward to January for a fresh start, my 35th Birthday, more yoga and climbing and walking, trying new things and activities. I am also looking forward to working on a new project that I am not ready to make public yet. I am really hoping 2023 is a great year.; the last 4 years have been record setting ones (and not always for the best reasons.
Thank you for reading along and supporting me on my journey. I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking forward to sharing more in the new year!
[[One blessed hot mess.]]
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