Peace, happiness and a snowless winter

I’ve never experienced a December without snow.

The fact that it was 80 degrees today is really throwing me off. Austin winters are going to take some getting used to. But I can get used to the fact that I was out in shorts and a tee, sweating on a mid-day trail ride, and I am pretty content with that. The summers are hotter than hell, but at least I don’t have to worry about my fingers freezing off. I’ll take it.

***

Things have been calm. I’ve had a lot of time to regroup and refocus my attention toward my achievements this year and what I’ve learned from them.

I learned a lot about myself. So much about me. This was the first time I’ve ever really sought to get to know myself a little bit more. It sounds so odd, I guess, just putting it out there like that.

I mean, I had gotten to the point where I didn’t even know if I really enjoyed what I was doing every day. How weird is that? I’ve always been someone who likes to try new things, so I didn’t know if I was just in a phase or if I was really living the life I was wanting to live.

I’m so glad that I did get the answers I was looking for, though, and I love the direction I am heading. I am doing what makes me happy. I am moving on a path that I’m proud of and that makes me feel like my heart is full and satisfied.

I couldn’t say that for so long. I don’t care how long it took me, I’m glad that I am here now.

[If you are out there reading this and you’re not there yet, take inventory constantly. Think about what makes you happy, and how you can do more of that. Think about what makes you unhappy, and how you can shift toward something better. It’s going to take a lot of work. It’s going to be hard. But it’ll be worth it. The best things in life always are. Don’t lose sight of your goal.]

Being in Austin has given me a newfound social life, where events and hangouts and rides and friends are exciting. People are really cool, and they’re doing really cool things, too. I am so in awe at all of the cool stuff people are doing daily! All of the amazing cycling groups, the camaraderie, the state of flow. Something is always happening somewhere.

Of course I want to do it all! But I’m learning to focus on the things that make me the happiest, and I think that’s helped a lot too.

I’ve really settled into teaching at the Y. I feel much more comfortable. I’ve made some great connections in my classes, and I love seeing familiar faces every week. I can’t tell you how fulfilling it is to know that not only am I making a difference in someone’s life, but also that they just enjoy the 30 minutes or hour that they spend with me on any given day. I’m starting to really find my coaching voice, and I think my participants know that they can expect some tough love from me! We go hard, but we have fun doing it, and there will always be a challenge waiting for you when you see my face.

Because growth happens when we’re challenged. Growth happens the most when we challenge ourselves.

That’s perhaps the biggest lesson I learned this year. It was something I was starting to uncover but haven’t fully appreciated until now.

“That’s the way I’ve always done it” isn’t my default anymore. My mind is now open to new possibilities, new trains of thoughts, new ways to break old habits.

I’m carrying that into 2022. My biggest goal is going to be challenging my negative self thoughts. I’m a little nervous. I don’t know how it’s going to go. But I believe that I’m going to be better once I come out the other side. Who knows what the other end of the tunnel looks like? I am going to find out.

My other biggest goals are going to be to put all of what I’ve learned into racing and training next season. I’ve decided to focus on gravel, then cyclocross. My hamstring tells me I shouldn’t run; that’s not going to be part of my training plan this year. I’ll put a number on it: 4,500 miles total for 2022 and one A race, which is the Belgian Waffle Ride. I want to finish that ride in 9.5 hours. I also want to learn how to maneuver over (itty bitty) barriers and ride through sand for CX season.

I’m going to become certified in Les Mills BodyCombat. I’m also hoping to start teaching Les Mills Core, finally! It’s my dream to make that happen. Fingers crossed! Come back to the gym, y’all, let’s get some six packs ;)

I want to make it back home home to Freeport for a visit this summer. I haven’t seen my extended family in a long time, and I want to ride bikes down some roads I haven’t seen in a long, long time.

I want to continue to walk Emma and Hux daily and give them the most comfortable life possible as they get yet another year older.

I also want to be more conscious of the things I spend my time on. Most of you know I took a step away from gaming for a while. I’m not afraid to do a hard reset if needed. I’ve noticed my phone getting a little too much attention lately, so that’s on the chopping block too. Without those distractions, I’m much more productive, and I think it’s been a good change. I’m only going to start playing again if there’s a game that really catches my attention. More time for books and I’ve admittedly started watching the 90s X-Men cartoon series. Still enjoying it more than gaming at the moment!

***

All right, so there it is! I’ve laid it all out. Why wait to start till New Year’s. I’m already working on it.

New Year … same you … but better.

New You 2.0

New You, 36th Edition

Let’s get it!